Are there current dcps specific rules about Covid now?

[Anonymous]

CDC says to return to normal activity 24 hours after fever subsides or symptoms get better and then mask for 5 more days. My kid had a fever on Sunday. Felt fine and was fever free on Monday. We sent her to school Tuesday and Weds and didn’t bother testing. Her mom felt sick today and decided to test. She was positive so we tested our kid (who has now been symptom and fever-free since Monday) and there was a faint positive line. I feel badly that I didn’t test her earlier—we got out of the routine of testing over a year ago. Anyway, should I send her in a mask even though she’s gone without a mask is and likely not contagious? Should I keep her home?

[Anonymous]

Send to school masked. Don’t beat yourself up over it, most people aren’t testing anymore.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t worry about it. Mask unnecessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t worry about it. Mask unnecessary.

Don't worry about testing or masking.

[Anonymous]

Please, please, please keep her home or at the very least have her mask.
Signed, immunocompromised parent of immunocompromised kid who can't just "move on" from the pandemic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:CDC says to return to normal activity 24 hours after fever subsides or symptoms get better and then mask for 5 more days. My kid had a fever on Sunday. Felt fine and was fever free on Monday. We sent her to school Tuesday and Weds and didn’t bother testing. Her mom felt sick today and decided to test. She was positive so we tested our kid (who has now been symptom and fever-free since Monday) and there was a faint positive line. I feel badly that I didn’t test her earlier—we got out of the routine of testing over a year ago. Anyway, should I send her in a mask even though she’s gone without a mask is and likely not contagious? Should I keep her home?

The rapid, home test can stay positive for quite a while, long after the person is no longer contagious. That's why a test is used to diagnose, but a different metric -- absence of fever for 24 hrs. -- is used for the end of isolating.

[Anonymous]

keep her home for the remainder of the week. send her back on monday.

[Anonymous]

At our charter, the policy is that you’re allowed to return after a full 24 hours since the fever breaks and there are no other concerning symptoms/child is improving. They do encourage mask use for a few days after but I don’t think it is required.

Our most recent bout with Covid just registered as a minor cold in our kid so I get it— I only thought to test because I was feeling exhausted in the way I only have with the flu (or Covid). My kid never had a fever; her nose was just runny for a few days. We kept her out of camp for 2 days.

[Anonymous]

Don't ask, don't test!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't ask, don't test!

+1

My kids are sick, one getting over Covid whom we tested but still has a cough. The other is now sick and stayed home from school. It is what it is, a virus. Lather, rinse, repeat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please, please, please keep her home or at the very least have her mask.
Signed, immunocompromised parent of immunocompromised kid who can't just "move on" from the pandemic.

I concur - as a parent of an immunocomprised kid. Please have your kid mask if tested positive and is still showing symptoms.

My kid masks as much as possible at school (band is a challenge) and masks on the metro. Last time Covid hit our house, they were home for 10 days with a fever and feeling really crappy. For many, covid may feel like a standard cold virus, but for some - it can really hit them hard!

[Anonymous]

our charter said that they (and, I assume all DC public schools?) are still bound to follow the guidance from DC health which has not changed for this school year.

My kids don't mask, but I've known enough folks who have gotten walloped with the variant this summer to know we can't just assume that because it's a mild cold for some that it won't really significantly impact others.

[Anonymous]

Covid’s impact is now less than the flu and nearly identical to many standard viruses, so treat it like you would those. Fever? Stay home until it’s gone for 24 hours. Vomiting/GI symptoms? 24 hours. Cold symptoms? If kid is acting sick or feels miserable, keep home; if not, send to school.

[Anonymous]

Don’t test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:CDC says to return to normal activity 24 hours after fever subsides or symptoms get better and then mask for 5 more days. My kid had a fever on Sunday. Felt fine and was fever free on Monday. We sent her to school Tuesday and Weds and didn’t bother testing. Her mom felt sick today and decided to test. She was positive so we tested our kid (who has now been symptom and fever-free since Monday) and there was a faint positive line. I feel badly that I didn’t test her earlier—we got out of the routine of testing over a year ago. Anyway, should I send her in a mask even though she’s gone without a mask is and likely not contagious? Should I keep her home?

The rapid, home test can stay positive for quite a while, long after the person is no longer contagious. That's why a test is used to diagnose, but a different metric -- absence of fever for 24 hrs. -- is used for the end of isolating.

No, you are confusing rapid antigen tests (the kind you buy at the pharmacy) and PCR tests (more typically done by hospitals or dr offices). PCR tests can stay positive after a person is no longer contagious.