Updates from Austin Public Health for Child Care Programs 12/16/2020

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Health Authority Rules & City/County Control Orders Extended, “How Long to Quarantine” flowchart updated, FEMA Training Opportunity, & More

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By Sara Reeves | Updated on December 17, 2020

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December 16, 2020
Contact: ChildCareInfo@austintexas.gov

Updates from Austin Public Health for Child Care Programs

December 16, 2020

Health Authority Rules & City and County Control Orders Extended

On December 15, the Health Authority Rules were updated and extended through April 15, 2021. The Travis County Judge’s Order and the Mayor’s “Stay Home, Mask, and Otherwise Be Safe” Order were both extended through February 16, 2021. The Rules and Orders are available here under the Current Orders drop-down box.

“How Long to Quarantine” flowchart updated 12/10/2020

On 12/10/2020, APH updated the “How Long to Quarantine” flowchart. The updated flowchart is available here. The CDC notes that a 14-day quarantine is most protective. However, the CDC allows for shorter quarantine options. The flowchart outlines in what circumstances a person should quarantine for 14 days and in what situations they could consider a shorter quarantine period. Child care programs that would like to continue advising a 14-day quarantine may do so.

Please note that the flowchart question “Were masks worn at the time of exposure?” refers to both the case and the close contact. If one or both of the people (the close contact and the COVID-positive person) were not wearing a mask at the time of exposure, the close contact should quarantine for 14 days. Regardless of mask usage, the COVID-positive individual must isolate until they meet the criteria for ending isolation.

FEMA Training Opportunity

FEMA has a new online training course called “IS-36.A: Preparedness for Child Care Providers” that takes about two hours to complete. The course gives child care providers, in a variety of settings, the information they need to identify, assess, and plan for hazards at their child care site. The primary audience for this course is for childcare providers of all sizes and for all age children, including, but not limited to, home childcare sites, childcare facilities, nursery schools, camps, scouts, sports programs, faith-based programs, and after-school programs. More information is available here.

Share Messages about COVID-Safe Holidays

The Texas Department of State Health Services offers great messages at #HealthyTexas Holiday Communications Tools, which include:

An animated video spot on COVID-19 safety and the holidays,
Social media graphics on holiday gatherings and the risk of various holiday activities,
Radio/audio spots explaining that COVID spreads more easily indoors, so virtual gatherings are best in the winter months.

The Texas Medical Association has a chart, “Know Your Risk This Holiday Season,” to help people understand the level of risk involved in various holiday activities.

Share CDC Travel Guidance

Ahead of winter break, child care programs are urged to remind staff and families of CDC guidance on travel available here.

The CDC discourages travel:

Travel can increase your chance of spreading and getting COVID-19. Postponing travel and staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
You and your travel companions (including children) may feel well and not have any symptoms, but you can still spread COVID-19 to family, friends, and community after travel.
If you have a known exposure to COVID-19 you should delay travel, quarantine yourself from other people, get tested, and monitor your health. Check your state or local health department for information about local quarantine requirements.
Don’t travel if you are sick or test positive for COVID-19. Don’t travel with someone who is sick.

For those considering travel, the CDC offers some key questions people can ask themselves to help decide what is best. For folks who decide to travel, the CDC lists steps to take during a trip to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. These key questions and steps are available here.

For those who do travel, the CDC also offers after-travel guidance. The CDC notes that you may have been exposed to COVID-19 on your travels. You may feel well and not have any symptoms, but you can still spread the virus to others. You and your travel companions (including children) may pose a risk to your family, friends, and community after your travel.

Consider getting tested with a viral test 3–5 days after your trip and reduce non-essential activities for a full 7 days after travel, even if your test is negative. If you don’t get tested, consider reducing non-essential activities for 10 days.
If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected.

Also take these actions for 14 days after you return from travel to protect others from getting COVID-19:

Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who did not travel with you, particularly in crowded areas. It’s important to do this everywhere — both indoors and outdoors.
Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when you are in shared spaces outside of your home, including when using public transportation.
If there are people in the household who did not travel with you, wear a mask and ask everyone in the household to wear masks in shared spaces inside your home.
Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness.
Watch your health: Look for symptoms of COVID-19, and take your temperature if you feel sick.

Keeping Children Engaged and Safe During Online Learning

Austin PBS Kids and our community’s Success By 6 Coalition created an information flier focused on “Keeping Children Engaged and Safe During Online Learning” available here on the APH web page about child care information for parents. Please help share this resource with families.

Keep Austin Reading

Please share the following Austin Public Library (APL) resources with your families and staff. Missing Austin Public Library events and story times? The Austin Public Library is increasing virtual events for all ages, including story times. Keep an eye on the APL events calendar for information. Visit APL+, Austin Public Library’s new video channel. It includes programming for:

Children- Fun story time read-alouds, sing-alongs, and kids create activities;
Teens - Book recommendations, recipes, mindfulness minutes, crafts, and more;
Adults- Recipes, crafts, instructional and informational videos, and more; as well as
World languages programming.

APL has compiled a list of books for young children about hand washing, germs, and taking care of yourself when you're ill, including fun titles like, “Do not lick this book* *it’s full of germs”. Please share this list with families and teachers of children in Pre-K through 1st grades to encourage healthy hygiene during COVID and all the time.

Curbside service is available at 11 APL locations. For information on curbside locations and how to use them, visit https://library.austintexas.gov/locations.

To apply for a library card or renew your card visit https://library.austintexas.gov/mylibrarycard or call 512-974-7400 and press 1 to speak to a Librarian.