Miami

Lesson in Zika Protection for Miami Beach Students Going Back to School

Back to school typically means paper, pencils and books, but students returning to the classroom Monday morning at Miami Beach Senior High are getting an early lesson in Zika protection.

Fienberg-Fisher Center, South Pointe Elementary and Miami Beach Senior High schools all fall within or near the Miami Beach Zika Zone.

"We are distributing two long sleeve uniform shirts and uniform pants. To ensure that the students in the three effected schools in the Zika Zone here in Miami Beach have protective clothing."

The new travel warnings for parts of tourism driven South Beach. A 1.5 square mile area. The new Zika Zone is just six miles from Wynwood, where the virus first showed up.

Alberto Carvalho, superintendent of Miami-Dade County public schools says, "the county, thankfully, has agreed not to spray during the school time, so I think we are ready for tomorrow."

Superintendent Carvalho added that this Sunday's event at Miami Beach Senior High is the third one this week and it's all for students and parents preparing for another school year. Health officials are also passing insect repellent and offering up this advice.

"If you're going to put it on your face, which we do recommend, just put it on your hands and then wipe your areas of our neck and your face with the repellent," said Lillian Rivera, Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County official

The Department of Health says the mosquito spray is not allowed at school. Students are instructed to spray prior to school. Repellent lasts about seven hours.

"We got a call from the school," said Roy Summersett, parent. "So we came over here; we got the spray, long sleeve shirts and they got a great set up in there."

Fred Robby, teacher at Miami Beach Senior High, says this a good way for the community to come together and show support for the kids.

Coming together to increase Zika awareness, with an emphasis on prevention and protection.

"I'm going to spray this," said student Gayle Summersett. "I'm going to make sure I have long pants on and that I'm wearing my long t-shirt."

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