In response to the recent changes in COVID-19 isolation and quarantine recommendations for the general public put forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) are providing the following interim guidance for local school systems, nonpublic schools, and child care programs. For issues not addressed in this memo, CDC recommendations should be followed. Click on link below.

Guidance to Support Safe In-Person Operations for PreK-12 Schools and Child Care Programs

The CDC is aggressively responding to the global outbreak of COVID-19 and community spread in the United States. CDC’s “All of Community” approach is focused to slowing the transmission of COVID-19 and reducing  illness and death, while minimizing social and economic impacts. For all information and updates, go to CDC.gov.

When and How to Wash Your Hands

(For direct link, go to https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html)

Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick. Learn when and how you should wash your hands to stay healthy.

Wash Your Hands Often to Stay Healthy

You can help yourself and your loved ones stay healthy by washing your hands often, especially during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs:

• Before, during, and after preparing food
• Before eating food
• Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
• Before and after treating a cut or wound
• After using the toilet
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
• After handling pet food or pet treats
• After touching garbage

Follow Five Steps to Wash Your Hands the Right Way

Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community—from your home and workplace to childcare facilities and hospitals.

Follow these five steps every time.

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Why? Read the science behind the recommendations.

Use Hand Sanitizer When You Can’t Use Soap and Water

You can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by looking at the product label.

Sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in many situations. However,

• Sanitizers do not get rid of all types of germs.
• Hand sanitizers may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy.
• Hand sanitizers might not remove harmful chemicals from hands like pesticides and heavy metals.

Caution! Swallowing alcohol-based hand sanitizers can cause alcohol poisoning if more than a couple of mouthfuls are swallowed. Keep it out of reach of young children and supervise their use. Learn more here.

How to use hand sanitizer

• Apply the gel product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount).
• Rub your hands together.
• Rub the gel over all the surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry. This should take around 20 seconds.

The Archdiocese of Washington has posted information about attending Mass, recorded Masses, precautions for Parishes and individuals, as well as other outside resources and updates.  Go to

ADW Coronavirus Resources & Information

The Wage and Hour Division of the US Department of Labor provides information on common issues employers and employees face when responding to COVID-19, and its effects on wages and hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

For more information, go to: COVID-19 and the American Workplace

FAQs regarding the FFCRA are available at Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Questions and Answers

Tips for parents with older children at home by Caroline Miller

Supporting Teenagers and Young Adults During the Coronavirus Crisis