Rules for COVID?

[Anonymous]

What is the current DCPS policy on isolation? I kept my kids home this morning because they tested positive. They are asymptomatic (tested only because spouse had symptoms). Will DCPS excuse the absence and if so, for how long?

[Anonymous]

According to last year's guidance, they are supposed to isolate for 5 days, return to school on the 6th day, and wear a mask through the 10th day: https://dcpsstrong.com/covid-19/

However, separately, the DCPS policy on absences for illness is that after 3 days, you need a doctor's note. So if you want to keep them home for 5 days, you are supposed to get a note from a doctor saying as much and stating the reason. I have no idea if a doctor will provide a note for an asymptomatic kid. Probably?

Personally, I would be totally fine with you sending your asymptomatic kids to school in masks. We don't really test for Covid anymore -- we stay home when sick and treat Covid symptoms the same as we would any respiratory virus (rest, isolate, wait for it to get better).

[Anonymous]

Last year's policy was 5 days + mask for 5 more, but I know 0 people still testing asymptomatic kids for COVID outside of a specific individualized need. You'll also have to go to the doctor to get a note, since that's required after 3 days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the current DCPS policy on isolation? I kept my kids home this morning because they tested positive. They are asymptomatic (tested only because spouse had symptoms). Will DCPS excuse the absence and if so, for how long?

Here we go again....

Your mistake was giving a non-symptomatic child a Covid test.

[Anonymous]

Do the same thing you would for any cold or flu. Treat the symptoms and keep moving. I don't know many who would keep a fine kind out of school. If they have a fever then keep them home just like every other illness

[Anonymous]

isolate 5 days then mask for 5 more.

[Anonymous]

Funny how no one cares anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Funny how no one cares anymore.

+100. I remember the DC contact tracers telling me that I couldn't even take my kids outside when they had been exposed at daycare.

[Anonymous]

You shouldn't have tested. Who is still testing?

I don't know what the "right" answer is, but I think keeping them home for a day or two to make sure they don't get sick isn't crazy. Viruses often take a day or two to become symptomatic.

Assuming they still have zero symptoms, I'd send them on Thursday at the latest, with a generic "Larlo wasn't feeling well" absence note."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last year's policy was 5 days + mask for 5 more, but I know 0 people still testing asymptomatic kids for COVID outside of a specific individualized need. You'll also have to go to the doctor to get a note, since that's required after 3 days.

Where was that policy? Nobody is doing that even for symptomatic covid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last year's policy was 5 days + mask for 5 more, but I know 0 people still testing asymptomatic kids for COVID outside of a specific individualized need. You'll also have to go to the doctor to get a note, since that's required after 3 days.

Where was that policy? Nobody is doing that even for symptomatic covid.

https://dcpsstrong.com/covid-19/

[Anonymous]

OP here. I asked the school.

The current guidance from DC Health is: Student should not attend school until 24 hours after fever resolves, without fever-reducing medication and other symptoms have improved.

So it seems as if the DCPSStrong website is not current policy. Thanks, all!

[Anonymous]

What’s an unexcused absence?

Does it even matter?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last year's policy was 5 days + mask for 5 more, but I know 0 people still testing asymptomatic kids for COVID outside of a specific individualized need. You'll also have to go to the doctor to get a note, since that's required after 3 days.

Where was that policy? Nobody is doing that even for symptomatic covid.

https://dcpsstrong.com/covid-19/

lol. Nobody is doing that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I asked the school.

The current guidance from DC Health is: Student should not attend school until 24 hours after fever resolves, without fever-reducing medication and other symptoms have improved.

So it seems as if the DCPSStrong website is not current policy. Thanks, all!

So basically the same as any other illness.