It’s just allergies- question for daycares

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How are you dealing with colds/allergies in the times of corona? Cold and allergies have the same symptoms as corona. Runny nose, sneezing, coughing. How are you choosing to exclude kids? Are you simply excluding based on the symptoms? Do you have to have a doctor note to return? Are you requiring a Covid test? I know a lot of this is decided by the state but are you using any judgment or simply going by the regulations that they set?

When I have allergies, I usually have runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes and sometimes itchy nose or throat, as well as under-eye bags. Coughing is not part of it, or at least if it is, it's very occasional and not remotely persistent.

I wouldn't test anyone for merely runny nose and sneezing. A persistent cough I would. Nobody in my family has a persistent cough when they are well or just have allergies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:IN DC the rule is still one symptom to exclude, but "runny nose" has been taken OFF the health check list. Congestion is still there, but runny nose isn't.

ALSO, from DC OSSE licensing for childcare centers, most updated guidance:
*****
Note: Children or staff with pre-existing health conditions that present with specific COVID-19 – like
symptoms should not be excluded from entering the building on the basis of those specific symptoms if
a health care provider has provided written or verbal documentation that those specific symptoms are
not due to COVID-19.
*****

ANYONE can find this guidance here
https://osse.dc.gov/page/guidance-and-resources-covid-19-related-closures-and-recovery#childcare

I thought this too but on the every other Monday calls, they've been saying to exclude for a runny nose unless we have documentation from a doctor of an alternate (non-COVID) diagnosis.