HOUSTON — Houston ISD relaunched its meal program after the distribution sites shut down last month after a volunteer was potentially exposed to coronavirus.
Starting Monday morning, each distribution site will hand out about 500 boxes per day. The school district says they have implemented increased safety measures.
Staff will pack food boxes at the facility, which then will be delivered to the distribution sites Monday through Friday.
When families arrive to the site staff members will fill out a emergency food assistance program form for them. Then a staff member will place the food in the trunk of their car to minimize personal contact.
Those that are walking up to the sites need to follow the social distancing requirements and stay at least 6 feet apart.
Every day this week there will be anywhere from four to five schools open daily.
The sites are below:
Tuesday, April 14
- McNamara Elementary School, 8714 McAvoy Dr., 9 a.m.
- Waltrip High School, 1900 W. 34th St., 9 a.m.
- Thompson Elementary School, 6121 Tierwester St., 11 a.m.
- Jones Futures Academy, 7414 Saint Lo Rd., 3 p.m.
- Key Middle School, 4000 Kelley St., 3 p.m.
Wednesday, April 15
- Williams Middle School, 6100 Knox St., 9 a.m.
- Fondren Elementary School, 12405 Carlsbad St., 9 a.m.
- Navarro Middle School, 5100 Polk St., 11 a.m.
- Mitchell Elementary School, 10900 Gulfdale Dr., 3 p.m.
- Hilliard Elementary School, 8115 E. Houston Rd., 3 p.m.
Thursday, April 16
- Cullen Middle School, 6900 Scott St., 9 a.m.
- Jane Long Academy, 6501 Bellaire Blvd., 9 a.m.
- Burrus Elementary School, 701 E. 33rd St., 11 a.m.
- Wheatley High School, 4801 Providence St., 3 p.m.
- Fonwood Early Childhood Center, 9709 Mesa Dr., 3 p.m.
Friday, April 17
- Scarborough High School, 4141 Costa Rica Rd., 9 a.m.
- Fleming Middle School, 4910 Collingsworth St., 9 a.m.
- Young Elementary School, 3555 Bellfort Ave., 11 a.m.
- Osborne Elementary School, 800 Ringold St., 3 p.m.
- Pilgrim Academy, 6302 Skyline Dr., 3 p.m.
HISD said it's working to limit the amount of contact between people at the sites to limit the spread of COVID-19.
MORE ON COVID-10
Coronavirus symptoms
The symptoms of coronavirus can be similar to the flu or a bad cold. Symptoms include a fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Some patients also have nausea, headaches and stomach issues.
Most healthy people will have mild symptoms. A study of more than 72,000 patients by the Centers for Disease Control in China showed 80 percent of the cases there were mild.
But infections can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death, according to the World Health Organization. Older people with underlying health conditions are most at risk for becoming seriously ill. However, U.S. experts are seeing a significant number of younger people being hospitalized, including some in ICU.
The CDC believes symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 14 days after being exposed.
Human coronaviruses are usually spread through...
- The air by coughing or sneezing
- Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
- Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.
Help stop the spread of coronavirus
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Eat and sleep separately from your family members
- Use different utensils and dishes
- Cover your cough or sneeze with your arm, not your hand.
- If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash.
- Follow social distancing
Lower your risk
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- If you are 60 or over and have an underlying health condition such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or respiratory illnesses like asthma or COPD, the World Health Organization advises you to try to avoid crowds or places where you might interact with people who are sick.
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