Coronavirus Closings: Md. Students To Get 3 Meals Daily, School Closures May Be Extended
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Officials are looking at the possibility of closing schools past the original two-week period, state officials said Monday, and are working to make sure students are still getting fed despite school closures.
"We are actively looking at the modeling that shows where this virus is going, so we'll be making some decisions about that," said State Superintendent of Maryland Schools Karen Salmon.
CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:
- Coronavirus Latest: Where You Can Get A Free Meal For Your Children While Schools Are Closed
- Coronavirus In Maryland: What We Know
- Coronavirus-Related Closings
- The Symptoms Of Coronavirus And What You Should Do If You Feel Sick
- LIST: EPA Releases Names Of Disinfectants You Can Use Against Coronavirus
- Coronavirus-Related Scams Are Going Around. Here's What To Watch Out For
- Latest coronavirus stories from WJZ
The reason she closed schools for two weeks was to give them some time to reassess the situation as more cases pop up.
They applied for a waiver from the federal government to be able to deliver more than two meals per day to students, but they haven't gotten it yet.
"We went ahead and said we're doing it anyway," she said.
They will be providing three meals per day to students, and any child who goes to one of the locations.
They anticipate serving over 100,000 meals over the next two weeks.
Children will get breakfast, milk, fruits, vegetables and a grain item. They'll get lunch and dinner meals with milk, two fruits, vegetables, a grain or a bread and a meat or meat substitute.
Volunteers and staff at Dunbar High School who are making the meals said they're ready for the challenge.
"We know that schools are a place for some young people to get two meals a day, so it's really important that there not be any gap in nutrition for young people," said Principal Yetunde Reeves.
Dunbar student John Thomas brought his niece and nephew to the food site Monday.
"Families that don't have nothing, don't have the money to go to the grocery store to buy stuff for their family, it'd be kind of hard without this," Thomas said.
Dozens of locations in Baltimore County are offering similar grab-and-go meals.
"We didn't want any of those students to be left out without any meals," said Bettina Applewhite.
Baltimore's 40 recreation centers will also offer meal pickup in addition to the schools.
All of the locations for meals across the state can be found at mdsummermeals.org.
For the latest information on coronavirus go to the Maryland Health Department's website or call 211. You can find all of WJZ's coverage on coronavirus in Maryland here.
