Local school uses smart thermometer to fight flu

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — Tackling the flu can be tough.

But if you’re Jackson Park Elementary School nurse Alisha Palmer, it can be downright overwhelming.

“Many of our children don’t have insurance, even if they qualify for Medicaid,” she said.

Jackson Park is one of three schools in Kannapolis and dozens more across the Carolinas to fight the flu using a smart thermometer.

It’s part of a free “fluency” program from health company Kinsa.

The devices track the flu and other illnesses in real-time.

Its data is automatically uploaded to an app, and parents can log signs of symptoms to alert teachers, parents and nurses to be on the lookout.

The app also suggests how to treat the sickness using recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“It just takes a lot of guesswork out for parents who need to know, should I send my child to school today? Or are they sick and do I need to send them to the doctor?” said Aneisa Woodward.

Her granddaughter is in second grade at the school.

Jackson Park is a Title I school with many of the students below the poverty level.

Even if they could afford to go to the hospital, many of them have no vehicle to get there and oftentimes have no way to pay for care.

Thanks to a corporate sponsorship, every staff member and family is equipped with this smart technology for one year.

Palmer said the app is HIPAA compliant, which keeps sensitive health information confidential.

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