Dear Downey Unified Family,
As we shared last week, we are working closely with the California Department of Public Health, County of
Los Angeles Public Health, California Department of Education, the Los Angeles County Office of Education
and the City of Downey to be prepared and have plans in place to address issues related to COVID-19.
Earlier today, Los Angeles County declared a local health emergency in response to the coronavirus and we
want to make you aware that we are continuing to work diligently with the aforementioned agencies to
prepare should we need to take action to adjust school and work schedules. We will continue to monitor
things extremely closely in real time and be in close communication with all local agencies as additional
details become available.
For your information, we want to share with you the steps we are currently taking to prevent the
spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus):
As we know, the best prevention against this virus is to wash our hands often. As such, we are further
partnering with PURELL®, and their partner company GOJO, to launch a handwashing campaign
districtwide. Signage will be sent to each campus and we ask that you place these signs in classrooms,
common areas and main offices. We will also be promoting this campaign on social media and through our
various school TV stations.
Additionally, each school should have received enough 8 oz. hand sanitizers to distribute to each classroom
and library. Please make sure that these are placed in prominent locations to allow all students access.
Larger two-liter size sanitizers have also been dropped off at the main offices for all parents and visitors to
use prior to entering the campus. Free-standing sanitizing stations are being purchased which will be
placed in high traffic areas as well as near the entrance and exit of the cafeterias. Hand sanitizers are also
available throughout the district office in high traffic areas. We will refresh these on an as-needed basis
throughout the end of the school year.
Our Operations Department is utilizing our Electrostatic sprayers which are extremely safe and effective in
deep cleaning/sanitizing all surfaces and we are moving forward with purchasing more. These highperformance sprayers cover more ground in a more effective manner to apply cleaners, sanitizers and
disinfectants that deep clean all surfaces. With that, we are making it a top priority and are dedicated to
continuously disinfecting frequently touched surfaces such as door handles/knobs, desks, lunch tables, and
deep cleaning bathrooms, locker rooms, school buses and other surfaces.
Tips to protect yourself and others:
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water, rubbing for at least 20 seconds and use alcohol-based hand
sanitizer when soap is not available. (Our stock soap meets all the specified Health Department
criteria)
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing
and throw the tissue in the trash. (Vampire style)
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• If you or your child has flu-like symptoms including a fever, stay home until you or your child are
fever free without medication for at least 24 hours.
• Please remember our Healthcare amenities (DUSD Wellness Clinic, Teledoc and Heal)
• Staff and/or students with mild illness should stay home.

 Mild Illness means:
 Fever ≥ 100F.
 Productive moist cough (spewing respiratory droplets) even without fever should stay
home.
A person with a mild cough (not productive) or sneeze and no fever, is not required to go home.
If a student or staff person develops symptoms of mild illness at school, the person should go home.
A person should not return to school/work until fever free for 24 hours without use of fever-reducing
medication.
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Please know that the safety and wellness of staff and students is our top priority. If we all continue to follow
these precautions, we can help to ensure that we all remain healthy. All Downey Unified parents/guardians
will also be receiving an email this evening that touches on this same topic and includes similar
information.
Here are some additional links to help answer any other questions you may have:
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Center for Disease Control Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Center for Disease Control - Centers for
Disease Control Information

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The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health - http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/ or
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/coronavirus/

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The California Department of Public Health website https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/nCOV2019.aspx

At times like this, I am particularly grateful for the strength and togetherness of our Downey Unified family.
We thank you for your cooperation and support in helping us maintain a healthy and safe learning and
working environment for all.
Sincerely,
John A. Garcia, Jr., Ph.D.
Superintendent