NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Six Middle Tennessee YMCAs are opening their doors to offer childcare services to essential workers. They've been closed since March 17 because of COVID-19 concerns.
This will offer another option for employees, like healthcare and government workers, who are required to be at work serving their communities.
Childcare hours at these YMCA locations are 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. To ensure safety, they’re limiting drop off times to between 6:30 to 9 a.m. and pick up between 4 and 8 p.m. They’ll provide kids breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Each location will screen both kids and staff daily to make sure they’re not allowing anyone who’s sick inside. They say they can negotiate lower rates for parents who are experiencing hardship.
Parents who are interested can register now with the YMCA.
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COUNTY-BY-COUNTY CASES IN TENNESSEE
What is COVID-19 (a.k.a. the new coronavirus?)
According to the World Health Organization, coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. Examples include the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV)and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. COVID-19 stands for "Coronavirus disease 2019," which is when this strain of the coronavirus was discovered.
What are the symptoms?
The CDC says patients confirmed to have the 2019-nCoV reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Or at least two of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
At this time, the CDC believes symptoms could appear as soon as two days after exposure, or as long as 14 days.
Prevention
The CDC is recommending "common sense" measures such as:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
