Some heartening news as we ease back into small, safe gatherings
February is American Heart Month. Researchers are learning more about COVID-19’s long term effects on the heart. Myocarditis and heart damage are being seen in all age groups, so being prepared for a cardiac emergency is even more important as we prepare to return to school. Our Cardiac Emergency Preparedness Plan encompasses both equipment and expertise: Mayfield has four AEDs (automated external defibrillators) across campus, and our faculty, staff and coaches—and even some of our students—are certified in CPR. Jayme Harrold, our Athletic Trainer and fitness instructor, trains our staff in CPR, and Science Department Co-Chair Lydia Arguelles has certified over 200 students since 2014—even during remote learning! CIF and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) now require students who have had COVID-19 to be cleared by their doctor before returning to athletics, so we have instituted our own “Clearance to Return to School After COVID-19” protocol. This is just another way we protect your daughters.
In honor of Black History Month, it’s important to acknowledge the contributions made by Black scientists to medicine. Dr. Kizzmekia S. Corbett is the scientific lead for the Coronavirus Vaccines & Immunopathogenesis Team at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and is the key scientist behind the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. She earned her Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has spent over 15 years researching and developing viral vaccines. Because of her expertise, millions of people around the world will be vaccinated against COVID-19.
The health department reported four more cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) this week. This brings the total in L.A. County to 66, with one death. Latinx children account for nearly 74% of the cases and 30% of all cases were between the ages of 12 and 20. If your daughter was exposed to COVID-19 and experiences fever for over two days, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, neck pain, rash, bloodshot eyes or feeling extra tired, call her doctor right away. For more information, see the CDC MIS-C information page.
While the County’s case numbers and positivity rate have steadily decreased over the last three weeks, cases are still much higher than they were in September. Some sectors have re-opened, but the risk hasn’t gone away. As Dr. Ferrer of the L.A. County Health Department said, “each of us needs to make very careful choices about what we do and how we do it.” Gatherings and parties over this weekend could cause cases to go back up, just as gatherings over the holidays did. Safe ways to celebrate the Super Bowl can be found at the CDC’s small gatherings page. With more infectious variants being found in our community, let’s not take chances and risk our numbers going back up. Cheer for your team from home with the people you live with.
Stay healthy,
Cathy Cota, RN, BSN, PHN
Remember the 3 Ws: wear a face covering, wash your hands, watch your distance
Avoid the 3 Cs: crowds, confined areas, close contact
Practice the 3 Rs: relationships, routines, reassurance
Practice the 3 Rs: relationships, routines, reassurance
Established in 1931, Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena, CA is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for young women grades 9-12. Noted for its rigorous academic program, which includes 28 Advanced Placement and Honors courses, Mayfield’s curriculum is underscored by a philosophy of educating the “whole child,” which also encourages commitment to and excellence in the arts, athletics, community service and spiritual growth. The nurturing environment at Mayfield Senior School allows each student to flourish in an atmosphere of personal attention.
