With public swimming pools across the Charlotte region hitting mid-season, health experts are now warning of a growing parasitic infection called ‘Crypto’.

According to the CDC, “for the period 2009–2017, public health officials from 40 states and Puerto Rico voluntarily reported 444 cryptosporidiosis outbreaks resulting in 7,465 cases. Exposure to treated recreational water (e.g., in pools and water playgrounds) was associated with 156 (35.1%) outbreaks resulting in 4,232 (56.7%) cases.”

Crypto is a highly-contagious parasite that regular chlorine doesn’t kill. It can survive up to 10 days in properly treated water. The highly infectious parasite can make otherwise healthy people sick for up to 3 weeks with severe diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and dehydration.

“To help protect your family and friends from Crypto and other diarrhea-causing germs, do not swim or let your kids swim if sick with diarrhea,” said Michele Hlavsa, R.N., M.P.H., chief of CDC’s Healthy Swimming Program. “Protect yourself from getting sick by not swallowing the water in which you swim.”

The CDC recommends the following tips before you go swimming this summer:

• Don’t swim or let your kids swim if sick with diarrhea.
• Never swallow pool water.
• Rinse off in the shower before getting in the water to help remove any germs on your body that could contaminate the water.
• Take kids on bathroom breaks often, and check diapers in a diaper-changing area and not right next to the pool.

If your kids experience any diarrhea, stomach cramps, or dehydration after swimming, CFU probiotics have been found to help cleanse the digestive tract.

For more information and other healthy and safe swimming steps, visit www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming.

A major heatwave will be sweeping through the Charlotte region starting today and lasting through the weekend.

Afternoon highs in the Queen City are expected to be around 97 degrees this afternoon with a heat index of around 102 (according to US Climate Data, the average high for this month is 89 degrees).

The National Weather Service issued the following warning for our region this morning:

Heat indices are forecast to be around 100 to 105 degrees through
the first half of the weekend and will continue to be monitored.
Those with outdoor plans this week and weekend should stay
hydrated and make sure to practice good heat safety.

According to the North Carolina Environmental Quality Department, we will see an Air Quality Index of 60 today.

The elderly, young children, and anyone who suffers from any respiratory conditions, or heart or lung disease should limit their time outside today.

If you’re planning on spending an extended amount of time outside this weekend, make sure you wear breathable clothes and consider getting a small fan, personal air conditioner, or evaporative cooling towel.

Stay safe out there!

CMS’s Superintendent Clayton Wilcox has just been suspended by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education.

The school district released the following statement:

“CMS can confirm that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education has suspended Superintendent Clayton Wilcox. The suspension goes into effect today and Dr. Wilcox will continue to receive his salary while suspended. During this time, Earnest Winston will serve as Acting Superintendent. CMS remains focused on the priorities that matter most – our students, teaching and learning in every school as we look forward to the start of the 2019-2020 school year. Because this is a personnel matter, we cannot provide further details at this time.”

According to several CMS board members, Wilcox’s suspension stems from a number of state law and board policy violations he recently committed.

The time frame of the suspension has not yet been determined, sources say the length of the suspension will be up to Wilcox. He will continue to be paid his annual salary of $280,000 while under the suspension.

CMS’s Chief of Staff Earnest Winston will now serve as the Acting Superintendent until the suspension is lifted.

The CMS Board of Education sent out the following letter to the Charlotte community yesterday:

“Governance and stewardship of CMS executive leadership is a key function of the Board of Education and a responsibility entrusted to us by the public on behalf of over 147,000 students, their families, and 19,000 employees across 175 schools and facilities.

Guided by those responsibilities, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education announced the suspension of Superintendent Clayton Wilcox today, July 15, 2019. Under existing CMS policies, Dr. Wilcox will continue to receive his salary while suspended. During this time, CMS Chief Engagement Officer and Ombudsman Earnest Winston will serve as Acting Superintendent for our school district. Because this is a personnel matter, the Board cannot provide further details at this time.

A school district is a community of people who are all dedicated to one thing above all – educating and supporting our students to prepare them for the futures they can achieve and deserve.

Our work together for our students will continue uninterrupted, and together, we will succeed.

Students, we are preparing every day for the start of the 2019-2020 school year and a strong year of teaching and learning in safe, healthy and supportive schools. We are focused on your well-being in every way possible. We will keep moving forward to help each of you succeed to your highest potential and to achieve your dreams.

Families, our shared goal across the district is to maintain close focus on giving your students every opportunity available and to work tirelessly to support them.

CMS colleagues and staff, we pledge our continuing support as leaders to our shared efforts. We each have an important part to play in making sure we do our absolute best for our students no matter our job title, role or position.

In the days and weeks ahead, we will move forward together in trust and we will keep our focus on what matters most – each and every CMS student.”