Custodians launch offensive against coronavirus in Manatee schools

Rober Velez feels the weight of a pandemic on his shoulders.

Velez has years of experience as the head custodian at Ida M. Stewart Elementary School, but he never encountered a situation like COVID-19, a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus.

“Now we are more aware,” he said. “If we slack, it’s going to be really heavy consequences, not only on us and our families, but all the kids we have in Manatee County.”

Velez said his staff always cleaned the school twice per day, but they recently doubled efforts to disinfect the campus. Armed with gloves, rags and disinfectant spray, the first custodian arrives at 10 a.m., paying special attention to everything a student might encounter.

Using a solution called Avistat-D, the staff cleans doorknobs, tables, light switches, playgrounds and faucets, among other “common-touch” areas.

“We want them to know we are here to keep them safe,” Velez said of the students.

The virus can spread between people in close proximity, while others might contract the virus after touching a dirty surface, according to a recent memo from the Florida Department of Education.

“COVID-19 can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, including when an individual coughs or sneezes,” the memo states.

“These droplets may land on objects and surfaces,” it continues. “Other people may contract COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.”

At Stewart Elementary, the second custodian arrives in the afternoon, and Velez then cleans the school for a third time. At night, the school is cleaned once more, before the process starts all over again.

Velez, an employee at Stewart Elementary for nearly 15 years, said he uses hand sanitizer and practices hand-washing more than ever. His staff does the same, and they all encourage students to cover their sneezes and coughs, to clean their hands and to stay home when sick.

While the virus was less of a risk for children, its spread could be detrimental to Florida’s older population, the DOE memo said.

“Most people recover from COVID-19 without needing special treatment,” it states. “The elderly and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems and diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness.”

The United States had more than 1,600 confirmed cases of the virus, including four in Manatee County, according to state and federal agencies. According to the World Health Organization, the global spread of COVID-19 is now a pandemic.

While the situation was overwhelming, Velez saw an opportunity to fight the virus and ease his students’ fears.

“They see it on the news, mom and dad tell them, so we are here to reassure them,” he said.

The school district spent nearly $100,000 on supplies to combat the virus. Manatee’s warehouse is stocked with hand towels, soap, trash bags and disposable gloves, according to a recent statement from district officials.

“At this point, we don’t care how much soap or paper towels you use,” Velez said.

This story was originally published March 14, 2020 at 5:00 AM.