
KENOSHA COUNTY ⏤ Kenosha County officials are recommending that local schools move to virtual-only instruction until January due to COVID-19.
Kenosha County Health Officer Jen Freiheit is “strongly recommending that all schools within the county ⏤ K-12, colleges and universities ⏤ switch to virtual instruction.”
She calls for the virtual period to last from Nov. 23 to Jan 4, according to a Monday release from the county.
Continuing upward COVID-19 trend
Freiheit’s recommendation comes amid “the continuing upward trend of COVID-19 cases in Kenosha County, with no slowdown projected in the next 12 weeks. The disease appears to be disproportionately affecting Wisconsin communities as well.
“Our schools have been incredibly cooperative, working with us every step of the way throughout the pandemic,” Freiheit said. “The goal of this recommendation is to keep the students, school staff and families as safe as possible as we move into the holiday season.”
Freiheit said moving to virtual schooling during the holiday season would allow for a decrease in community gathering and movement over the period of six weeks, which is three COVID-19 incubation periods.
“This is necessary to slow the spread in our county, so that we don’t overwhelm the health care system,” Freiheit said.
Not a binding order
Freiheit issued her recommendation after consulting with school districts and higher education institutions across Kenosha County. It is not a binding order, but Freiheit urges schools, colleges and universities to give it serious consideration.
This recommendation also includes sports and other extracurricular activities.
“With Thanksgiving, December holidays and New Year’s gatherings, public health is preparing for a spike in cases after each event. It is the small family gatherings with those outside of your immediate household that are spreading COVID the fastest.”
Jen Freiheit, Kenosha County Health Officer
Freiheit noted that when it comes to holiday gatherings, celebrating virtually and/or just with those within your own household is the safest approach.
Residents are urged to self-isolate for 14 days beforehand before attending Thanksgiving gatherings with family.
Those who do not self-isolate beforehand and spend more than 15 minutes at a gathering are urged to self-isolate afterward.
Individuals who did not first self-isolate and who spend more than 15 minutes at a gathering where people were not distanced or masked are then advised to isolate for 14 days upon returning home, to help prevent potential community spread of the virus.
More tips
More holiday celebration recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are available at http://bit.ly/CDCHolidays2020.
“Whether it’s adjusting to virtual schooling, changing holiday plans or choosing to self-isolate, we recognize that all of these things present hardships for individuals and families,” Freiheit said. “But these are things we know we must do to help slow down what has been an ever-increasing rate of COVID-19 infections in our community”
Also in the News
Snow emergency declarations in Racine and Kenosha Counties for March 24-26
RACINE, KENOSHA — Multiple counties within Racine and Kenosha Counties have declared a snow emergency for their municipalities The following snow emergency restrictions are in effect: Municipality Time Parking restrictions Village of Mount Pleasant March 24 from 9 p.m. to noon on March 26 During the hours of the snow emergency, parking restrictions are in…
UPDATE: Winter Weather Advisory upgraded to Winter Storm Warning for Racine, Kenosha from 4 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 25
UPDATE (March 24, 2023, 2:45 p.m.) The Winter Storm Advisory has been updated to Winter Storm Warning per the National Weather Service (NWS) for Racine, Kenosha, Waukesha, Milwaukee, and Walworth Counties. Reports indicate that heavy snowfall is expected with total accumulations reaching 6 to 10 inches in Southeastern Wisconsin. The highest snowfall rates are expected…
Artwork from Black History Month contest on display at The Coffee House at Chesnut & Pine until April 15
BURLINGTON — The Burlington Coalition for Dismantling Racism (BCDR) and the Burlington Area School District (BASD) partnered during Black History Month to offer local area students the opportunity to participate in an art and essay contest. These works of art are currently on display at The Coffee House at Chestnut & Pine, 492 N. Pine…