Crews sanitize schools to fight flu while students are out

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – By late Friday afternoon, cleaning crews had sanitized around sixty Hamilton County Schools after what’s been an all day affair of wiping, spraying, and deep cleaning the schools.

“They’ve been really working hard today trying to get as many spots as possible and they’ll continue over the weekend to clean and disinfect schools to try to make them as safe as possible for students to come back on Monday,” Hamilton County Schools Communications Officer Tim Henlsey said.

It’s an opportune time to clean.

The flu is not holding back in the U.S.

According to the CDC, currently, one in ten deaths is caused by the flu or pneumonia.

While the flu and illnesses have been spreading, the school system is closed.

A decision made after the district started seeing high absences with teachers and bus drivers.

“Both of those things together really made us look at today and say we need to be out for today and see if the weekend will give us a chance to, more people to heal and be back on Monday,” Henlsey said.

Aside from disinfecting, Henlsey added it’s important for families to know that if your child is sick with a fever over 100 they need to stay home.

“Keeping kids home when they’re sick will help a tremendous amount and then when children are in school we get them to partner with us. Make sure you cover your mouth appropriately when you cough or sneeze and you know trying to be sanitary around the school as well.”

The flu can live on hard surfaces for around 24 hours.

Cleaning crews have been wiping down touch points like desks and doorknobs with disinfectants.

Hensley said they’ve also sanitized all the school buses.

With an extra day off, the hope is that folks can recover from their sickness and return to a sanitized environment.