Flu Fighting Efforts Continue at Child Care Centers

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Flu season is kicking into high gear in Mississippi and children under 5 are one of the groups at highest risk.

That has child care centers stepping up flu fighting efforts.

One daycare director says it’s extremely hard to fight the flu, especially once it starts spreading.

Although it’s Wacky Tacky Day at the Child and Parent Development Center, efforts to fight the flu aren’t slowing down.

These signs are more than decoration this time of year.

“We encourage our parents and families when they come in, in the morning to wash their hands themselves and to take their child to wash their hands anytime they enter and exit the room. They should be washing their hands this time of year. We also are doing daily wellness checks where we are checking for temperatures and things. So that we can catch them if we suspect a child is getting a fever. We’re going to watch it. If a child is acting abnormal we’re going to check their temp,” says MUW Child and Parent Development Center, Penny Mansell.

Washing hands, checking temps, and daily cleaning schedules really ramp up here, during this time of year.

“Even taking out things like play food from some of the classrooms, if we know they’re going to put it in their mouths. We go around daily with the cleaning supplies and our bleach water spray cleaning and disinfecting.”

Mansell says one student has been diagnosed with the flu so far, but when it starts, it can spread like wildfire.

“Child care centers are full of germs and there’s no way to stop it. Kids are going to be in each others faces. They’re going to be sneezing and as much as we try to, you know, use your elbow or what not to sneeze, or grab a tissue, go wash your hands, they’re still little kids. They’re still learning all these processes and all these health practices.”

She says they’ve been extremely proactive with their fight against the flu, trying to prevent as many little ones and teachers from falling victim to the virus.

The center also has a Public Health intern, whose job is to make sure everyone is flu educated.

That’s why these health forms have been made and passed out to parents and teachers.

“CDC they have, you know, their regulations and how long a child needs to stay out and what symptoms need to be gone before they send their child back to school, so I make sure that’s all in there,” says Brianna Duquette.

Even with all of the extra measures, sometimes the flu just can’t be fought, causing a new battle for parents of little ones.

“Luckily, with our business he could ride around with us and sit with us here, but a lot of people, I don’t know how they do it, unless they have family that can just take off and stay home with them,” says Donald Barksdale.

“The moment we found out we have a sick child, I normally take off and go home and strip beds and Lysol and everything,” says Gloria Barksdale.

Mansell says the first flu case at the child care center was diagnosed on Friday.