A Method Behind Canceling Classes in NWA
By: Channing Barker
Updated: January 29, 2013
Canceling classes when sickness has spread throughout the school is becoming more common in Northwest Arkansas. Closing the doors is actually a a strategy called "social distancing."
"We know that closure of the school can really help. It's a principle that's used in public health and it's a proven strategy to reduce transmission," said Linda Thompson with the Arkansas Department of Health.
Thompson said social distancing gives students and staff some room to breathe when certain viruses are in the air.
"Social distancing is a type of of isolation where those children are taken out of that environment or whatever environment it is and that way the transmission is limited because those children are no longer in that school environment. It gives the chance for that disease transmission to stop or at least be reduced," she said.
A little time away isn't always enough. You've still got to take all the typical precautions like washing your hands regularly.
