Stomach Bug Shuts Down School for Deep Clean

A school in Massachusetts had to close its doors for two days after a nasty stomach bug hit over 130 students and teachers. Roberts Elementary in Medford first shut down on Dec. 10 because so many kids were sick. The school thought norovirus, a really contagious bug, was to blame. The next day, more people got sick, so the school stayed closed. The principal and the school superintendent said more families reported kids throwing up and having stomachaches. Even 20 teachers felt sick. Other schools in the area were fine, though. The school got a deep clean to kill the germs. They scrubbed everything—classrooms, doorknobs, and even the kitchen. Experts did the cleaning to make sure the school was safe. Norovirus is a big problem right now. It spreads easily, especially in places where people are close together, like schools, dorms, and even cruise ships. The virus can make you throw up and have diarrhea, and it spreads through tiny bits of poop or vomit. That’s why washing hands is so important. The school told everyone to wash their hands for 20 seconds with soap and water. Hand sanitizer doesn’t work as well. They also said sick kids should stay home for 24 hours after throwing up. Keeping the school clean and safe is their top priority.