Dear Reading Science Center Friends and Families,
For many months, the Reading Science Center volunteers have worked hard and fast to open our doors this Spring so that we can provide our community, especially our children, with an exceptional educational experience complete with curriculum, interactive and static exhibits, and hands on STEM activities.
Given the current Corona Virus Pandemic we will not be opening in April as anticipated. Additionally, our May Open House is also postponed until further notice.
In an effort to stay true to our mission and assist our community, the Reading Science Center has compiled resources and links that may help you and your family to navigate the available Corona Virus information as it continues to rapidly evolve. We also encourage you to check out our website https://www.readingsciencecenter.org in the coming weeks as we are currently creating, and will soon post, fun, easy, and interesting science activities and information to benefit you and your children while school is not in session.
Please be safe.
Jim Cinelli, Founder and Mary Chown, Executive Director
Coronavirus Resources
The World Health Organization (WHO)
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers the coronavirus to be a serious public health threat. It is important that you are aware of the disease and the efforts necessary to prevent its spread. To learn about symptoms and prevention, visit the website here.
Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Department of Health provides updates on the disease’s spread within the state, as well as frequently asked questions available here.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education provides guidance and resources for school communities here.
National
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shared this FAQs document on essential health benefit coverage.
The Centers for Disease Control provides updates on the virus and safety information for the public and healthcare professionals.
The State Department provides a list of travel advisories for those who are planning to fly outside of the United States.
The American Health Care Association keeps their website updated with the latest information about COVID-19.
Definitions
Social distancing calls on people to avoid large, public gatherings and highly-trafficked areas to minimize transmission rates. “Social distancing has become the main way that local, state, and federal governments are trying to tackle the pandemic. Overall, that’s really the most effective thing that we can do right now, other than washing our hands and practicing good cough hygiene. The number one way to try to prevent this from spreading is to avoid contact with other people”. (Christine Blackburn, deputy director of the pandemic and biosecurity policy program at Texas A&M University).
Flattening the curve refers to how the rate of infections will swiftly decline or “flatten out” if people practice social distancing, which also keeps health care systems from being overwhelmed.
What happens next depends largely on us — our government, politicians, health institutions and, in particular, 328 million inhabitants of this country — all making tiny decisions on a daily basis with consequences that effect our collective future.
Economy in the News: