Coronavirus (COVID-19)

West Sound Academy is closely monitoring news and information on the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in our area. The situation continues to evolve rapidly; please check this page regularly for information and updates regarding our preparation and procedures to address coronavirus with our community.

Steps WSA families can take

Stay informed; information is changing frequently. Links to dedicated coronavirus pages from public health departments and other trustworthy organizations are on this page. Summaries of important information can be found in the website, flyers and article linked below:

Kitsap Cares – a centralized point of information for local community resources to help individuals, nonprofit organizations, and businesses cope with the coronavirus pandemic. The site is managed by the Kitsap Community Foundation, in partnership with the Kitsap County Emergency Operations Center.

Kitsap Public Health District: What you need to know about novel coronavirus.

Extended coverage of the outbreak of a new coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2; the illness it causes, COVID-19; and its effects on the Seattle area, the Pacific Northwest and the world: Coronavirus

CDC: What you need to know about coronavirus disease 2019 and
What to do if you are sick with coronavirus disease 2019

Take steps to protect yourself and others, and slow the spread of the disease. A clear explanation of the basics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), including the symptoms, how it spreads, how it affects the body in infected patients is in this article from The Seattle Times:

Facts about novel coronavirus and how to prevent COVID-19. The author lists the common-sense actions you can take to prevent the flu and common cold that will also help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus:

- - Wash hands often with soap and water. If that’s not available, use hand sanitizer.
  - Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
  - Avoid contact with people who are sick.
  - Stay home while you are sick and avoid close contact with others.
  - Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.

Practice appropriate social distancing strategies. Recommendations from the World Health Organization are for people “to maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance between themselves and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.”

Talk about the coronavirus with your family. What are your tweens and teens thoughts and feelings about it? Some helpful resources are linked below.

Separating COVID-19 Facts from Fiction, a comic series from Comics for Good