The novel coronavirus, or COVID-19 started in a wet market in Wuhan, China. This has now spread to over 114,000 people around the globe, and caused more than 4,000 deaths, both totals higher than the SARS and MERS epidemics of the past. This virus can stay in the body for two weeks or more without showing symptoms, but with you still spreading it to other people. In the light of the new information that the first and second Oregon cases for COVID were in/near Washington County, where the Portland school district schools are, and with much, much more likely to come, we are asking Xavier Botana, the superintendent of the Portland School District to close schools around the district to prevent spreading of this virus. Since this virus may lay dormant for two weeks or even more in some cases, during passing period, lunch, and other crowded times the virus will inevitably infect people growing the infection rate exponentially and the students will pass the virus on to their parents who will pass it on to their colleagues and so on. All of this happening without knowledge. So by the time that the PPS finds a case and closes the schools, the person may have had up to 27 days to infect people! Considering this, we request that the Portland Public School District  close all schools and facilities as to slow infection rate and keep students, their families, and everyone safe.