Surrounding counties already have tested Covid-19 cases, and it is highly likely the virus is already being spread in the Lake County community. Schools are hotbeds for virus transmission. While children may not develop symptoms, they can carry the virus, bring it home and contaminate their older relatives.

Under the recommendations of public health experts, many cities and counties in California and in the U.S., as well as countries around the world, have shut down schools to slow the proliferation and protect children and communities. Our already burdened county healthcare system can easily be overwhelmed even if only 5% of people need hospitalization. WE WANT THE COUNTY TO TAKE ACTION to protect children, families, teachers, staff, healthcare workers, frontline workers, and all Lake County residents! 

We are petitioning for closing the Lake County schools to slow the COVID-19 proliferation, and to use remote teaching and online options to continue student learning. Schools unable to provide this experience could still provide guidance to parents to help them transition to public options such as K12.com.

School lunches could still be provided in a take-out format for the families that need it. Such initiatives have been taken in San Francisco and other jurisdictions where schools have already closed. This will also help keep the schools' kitchen staff employed.

We do realize this places a huge burden on some families, but public safety is at stake. Extraordinary events require extraordinary measures.

COVID-19 is transmissible even from people without symptoms. Community transmission of COVID-19 is showing up in nearly every nearby community. If the same pattern plaguing China, Italy and Washington State starts here, the virus would not be able to be slowed and would overwhelm our healthcare system.  COVID-19 is already here.

Let's at least try to slow it down. Shut down our schools immediately.