Many of our friends have been concerned about our students and colleagues in Mexico, and the impact of swine flu. To the best of our knowledge, our students and staff have not been affected; however, one family has lost a relative. Patricia, our Principal, gives more details below. Communicating with our families is difficult, and school is closed by government order until at least May 6. We will continue to update this posting as we learn of further developments.

Dear Friends,

Two relatives of a family from Christel House have got the swine flu. One of them died and the other one is in the hospital. The outcomes we do not know yet because this was on Thursday and on Friday school was dismissed in Mexico City and in the State of Mexico, by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and the President of the Republic to avoid epidemic. It is mandatory and the newspapers today, announce that school will go on with their programs until May 6.

The situation with the family is something to worry about. One student is a 3rd grader and another a 2nd grader. They were both being taken care of by the relative that passed away and the one that is in the hospital. Both children are undernourished, so they are vulnerable but no news has been heard so far due to school dismissal.

As for other children being absent lately, we had just come back on Monday from Holy and Easter Week. So children had only 4 days of school when school was dismissed. Absences were mainly due to stomach aches. Rosi, our nurse, says that no respiratory problems were attended to before school was dismissed.

Mexico has taken actions to avoid people being together. All school levels; pre-school, elementary, secondary, high and universities are not attending school til May 6, announced today. Museums, amusement parks, religious celebrations, cinemas, have been cancelled and sports events are held without an audience.

This is the situation thus far, I will keep you informed of changes.

Best regards,

Patricia

Yesterday, Cristina, in our development office, wrote...

Things are really getting let's say, 'different'. Now schooling in all the Mexican Republic is closed. Here in Mexico City, bars, restaurants, gyms, etc. have been added to the list of closing establishments. The city is deserted, like in a movie. Many companies, especially American companies, have organized to have their staff to go home, work only four hours and go intermittent days. I guess, as they say in the news, that we are in the peak of the situation and will satay like this some days and then start the curve down. In the meantime we are all being humble, patient and obedient. Send you a hug to and all of you up there, take care.

Cristina

Again, we will continue to update this posting as we learn of further developments.

Labels: Mexico, update