MCPS will now send kids home for ten days based on symptoms only

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At my pediatrician office, if my kid get tested today morning/afternoon, the result won't be available till next day online. That means, kid has to be picked up early today and no school tomorrow

People on this forum keep talking about same day pcr testing, does that means the result will be in today if I have my kid get tested today in the morning/afternoon? Where are those places in montgomery county? Covered by insurance? I see some places charge me $250 out of pocket and I can get result in an hour. But, that is really expensive.

And, what happens if the negative result is announced after school hours (like 3:15pm or in the evening), will all kids/parents in the class get notified in time on the same day and be able to go to school tomorrow?

We've used quality first urgent care in Burtonsville for same day, insurance-covered PCR testing. No appointment needed; it's an outdoor tented walk-up location. If you test before noon, results are posted by 8 PM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no plot to sabotage in-person learning by infecting everyone with covid. Are you Tucker Carlson? Because you sound like him, sad crazy provocateur person.

What there is, is some epic failure and miscommunication on so many levels and everywhere.

No other district in the country is sending kids home this way. Not in a conservative-located district, nor a liberal-located district. MoCo/MCPS is not smarter than everybody else. In fact, all we've seen is the opposite from the very beginning. Classrooms/kids will be inappropriately held hostage waiting for a single person to get tested (or not). This is terrible, operationally-asinine policy. Yes, they are actively sabotaging in-person.

I mean, kinda? But for vaccinated students who are contacts, FCPS is making them stay home until their adults upload proof of vaccination status and fill out a form confirming they're asymptomatic. MCPS isn't doing that, at least not yet.

https://www.fcps.edu/news/new-process-speed-return-fully-vaccinated-students-classroom

I like this policy!

Why?

Vaccinated students are in control of their own destiny and not at the mercy of a "cougher" getting tested. Their ES's are interpreting close contacts with seating charts. It's a good balance across competing priorities.

Is that really what’s happening though? Our ES classes have assigned seats but it seems that a lot of ESs are still interpreting “close contacts” as the entire class. That’s what I’m worried about- if this is really only an issue at my kindergartener’s table of three kids, then I’m ok with it. But if they’re still going to send everyone home when a kid across the room coughs, it’s not sustainable. Any teacher will tell you that any given day during cold/flu season, someone is absent.

It's happening in FCPS. You'll hear about a table disappearing, generally not an entire class. Their cases decreased/leveled out in Week #2 as well. Districts need a balanced, not an extremist, policy to sustainably navigate this.

[Anonymous]

Our daughter started a class quarantine on Friday the 3rd and we just found out that the student who was suspected to have covid was in fact positive so now we are quarantining for at least the next week I don't really know if my daughter is expected to also get a covid test too.

I have a feeling this is going to be happening a lot and it's going to be hell on trying to figure out who is going to be staying home with the kid attempting to keep her focused on Zoom. Given that both my husband and I are essential employees this is going to be extra challenging. Really wish we still had covid leave!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At my pediatrician office, if my kid get tested today morning/afternoon, the result won't be available till next day online. That means, kid has to be picked up early today and no school tomorrow

People on this forum keep talking about same day pcr testing, does that means the result will be in today if I have my kid get tested today in the morning/afternoon? Where are those places in montgomery county? Covered by insurance? I see some places charge me $250 out of pocket and I can get result in an hour. But, that is really expensive.

And, what happens if the negative result is announced after school hours (like 3:15pm or in the evening), will all kids/parents in the class get notified in time on the same day and be able to go to school tomorrow?

We’ve gone to PM pediatrics for same days tests but it’s not as “easy” as some would lead you to believe. You need to have a virtual visit first and then the appointment time needs to be within a certain window to actually get same day results- maybe 12-2pm? Our insurance has always covered it but we weren’t sure that would be the case at first. It is expensive otherwise.

PM pediatrics website says that it takes 2-4 days for PCR test result to come in for Maryland. That is not same day testing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Apparently the new “guidance” confirms what we’ve been hearing. If a child has “symptoms” associated with COVID (could be a runny nose) their close contacts (this has been interpreted as the entire class in many schools) are quarantined for ten days.

This is completely ludicrous and not based in science or CDC guidelines.

Very glad to hear this. It's about time they take these guidelines seriously and prioritize the safety of our children!

Taking the CDC guidelines seriously by ... not following the CDC guidelines?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Apparently the new “guidance” confirms what we’ve been hearing. If a child has “symptoms” associated with COVID (could be a runny nose) their close contacts (this has been interpreted as the entire class in many schools) are quarantined for ten days.

This is completely ludicrous and not based in science or CDC guidelines.

Very glad to hear this. It's about time they take these guidelines seriously and prioritize the safety of our children!

Taking the CDC guidelines seriously by ... not following the CDC guidelines?

I thought "runny nose" or "sneezing" are not on the list for MCPS quarantine policy!? I am confused here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At my pediatrician office, if my kid get tested today morning/afternoon, the result won't be available till next day online. That means, kid has to be picked up early today and no school tomorrow

People on this forum keep talking about same day pcr testing, does that means the result will be in today if I have my kid get tested today in the morning/afternoon? Where are those places in montgomery county? Covered by insurance? I see some places charge me $250 out of pocket and I can get result in an hour. But, that is really expensive.

And, what happens if the negative result is announced after school hours (like 3:15pm or in the evening), will all kids/parents in the class get notified in time on the same day and be able to go to school tomorrow?

We’ve gone to PM pediatrics for same days tests but it’s not as “easy” as some would lead you to believe. You need to have a virtual visit first and then the appointment time needs to be within a certain window to actually get same day results- maybe 12-2pm? Our insurance has always covered it but we weren’t sure that would be the case at first. It is expensive otherwise.

PM pediatrics website says that it takes 2-4 days for PCR test result to come in for Maryland. That is not same day testing.

There is a same day PCR option but perhaps not at all offices.

“ Our Annapolis, Columbia, Germantown, Parkville, Rockville & Timonium, MD offices and ALL Virginia offices offer an option for same-day PCR results with select participating insurances. This express-test can be scheduled after a telemedicine or in-person visit, but must be performed before specific times for same-day results. Please visit location pages for respective office times.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Apparently the new “guidance” confirms what we’ve been hearing. If a child has “symptoms” associated with COVID (could be a runny nose) their close contacts (this has been interpreted as the entire class in many schools) are quarantined for ten days.

This is completely ludicrous and not based in science or CDC guidelines.

Very glad to hear this. It's about time they take these guidelines seriously and prioritize the safety of our children!

Taking the CDC guidelines seriously by ... not following the CDC guidelines?

It’s CDC supplemented by the county guidelines. Extra layers of safety is good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our daughter started a class quarantine on Friday the 3rd and we just found out that the student who was suspected to have covid was in fact positive so now we are quarantining for at least the next week I don't really know if my daughter is expected to also get a covid test too.

I have a feeling this is going to be happening a lot and it's going to be hell on trying to figure out who is going to be staying home with the kid attempting to keep her focused on Zoom. Given that both my husband and I are essential employees this is going to be extra challenging. Really wish we still had covid leave!

I would get a test for her 4 days after exposure. Assuming negative, I would be pretty lax on the quarantine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At my pediatrician office, if my kid get tested today morning/afternoon, the result won't be available till next day online. That means, kid has to be picked up early today and no school tomorrow

People on this forum keep talking about same day pcr testing, does that means the result will be in today if I have my kid get tested today in the morning/afternoon? Where are those places in montgomery county? Covered by insurance? I see some places charge me $250 out of pocket and I can get result in an hour. But, that is really expensive.

And, what happens if the negative result is announced after school hours (like 3:15pm or in the evening), will all kids/parents in the class get notified in time on the same day and be able to go to school tomorrow?

We’ve gone to PM pediatrics for same days tests but it’s not as “easy” as some would lead you to believe. You need to have a virtual visit first and then the appointment time needs to be within a certain window to actually get same day results- maybe 12-2pm? Our insurance has always covered it but we weren’t sure that would be the case at first. It is expensive otherwise.

PM pediatrics website says that it takes 2-4 days for PCR test result to come in for Maryland. That is not same day testing.

There is a same day PCR option but perhaps not at all offices.

“ Our Annapolis, Columbia, Germantown, Parkville, Rockville & Timonium, MD offices and ALL Virginia offices offer an option for same-day PCR results with select participating insurances. This express-test can be scheduled after a telemedicine or in-person visit, but must be performed before specific times for same-day results. Please visit location pages for respective office times.”

Does it cost me anything if I pick the option for same-day PCR result with one of their participating insurance? And, how fast is it to schedule pcr testing right after the virtual or in person assessment?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Apparently the new “guidance” confirms what we’ve been hearing. If a child has “symptoms” associated with COVID (could be a runny nose) their close contacts (this has been interpreted as the entire class in many schools) are quarantined for ten days.

This is completely ludicrous and not based in science or CDC guidelines.

Very glad to hear this. It's about time they take these guidelines seriously and prioritize the safety of our children!

Taking the CDC guidelines seriously by ... not following the CDC guidelines?

It’s CDC supplemented by the county guidelines. Extra layers of safety is good.

The county guidelines are contradicting the CDC guidelines.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Apparently the new “guidance” confirms what we’ve been hearing. If a child has “symptoms” associated with COVID (could be a runny nose) their close contacts (this has been interpreted as the entire class in many schools) are quarantined for ten days.

This is completely ludicrous and not based in science or CDC guidelines.

Very glad to hear this. It's about time they take these guidelines seriously and prioritize the safety of our children!

Taking the CDC guidelines seriously by ... not following the CDC guidelines?

I thought "runny nose" or "sneezing" are not on the list for MCPS quarantine policy!? I am confused here.

They are not. But at least one poster is stuck on stupid.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know if the rapid at home tests can be utilized as proof of a negative result? It doesn't look like the MCPS guidelines specify one way or the other. I was just thinking about this as I know folks have now had to spend hundreds on tests at a doctor etc before sending their kids back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no plot to sabotage in-person learning by infecting everyone with covid. Are you Tucker Carlson? Because you sound like him, sad crazy provocateur person.

What there is, is some epic failure and miscommunication on so many levels and everywhere.

No other district in the country is sending kids home this way. Not in a conservative-located district, nor a liberal-located district. MoCo/MCPS is not smarter than everybody else. In fact, all we've seen is the opposite from the very beginning. Classrooms/kids will be inappropriately held hostage waiting for a single person to get tested (or not). This is terrible, operationally-asinine policy. Yes, they are actively sabotaging in-person.

Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean it’s sabotage. The opposite is true. If moco wanted to sabotage return there would be no mask wearing or testing for symptoms for a quick return to virtual. You read about other states right?

The county health department never wanted MCPS to open last year, they probably didn’t this year either. As evidenced by his leaked emails, Dr. Gayles seems oddly bitter toward families who prioritize their kids education. They’re not going to sabotage school by not requiring masks, come on. More than one way to achieve the goal and this is a uniquely MoCo way to do it- quarantine kids unnecessarily and use it as “evidence” that in person is not sustainable.

In a way it is interesting that people are angry they have to miss one day or two to test a child than for en entire school system to close down. One might think the preference is to test and go to school this year. Don’t send a kid in sick seems common sense

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no plot to sabotage in-person learning by infecting everyone with covid. Are you Tucker Carlson? Because you sound like him, sad crazy provocateur person.

What there is, is some epic failure and miscommunication on so many levels and everywhere.

No other district in the country is sending kids home this way. Not in a conservative-located district, nor a liberal-located district. MoCo/MCPS is not smarter than everybody else. In fact, all we've seen is the opposite from the very beginning. Classrooms/kids will be inappropriately held hostage waiting for a single person to get tested (or not). This is terrible, operationally-asinine policy. Yes, they are actively sabotaging in-person.

Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean it’s sabotage. The opposite is true. If moco wanted to sabotage return there would be no mask wearing or testing for symptoms for a quick return to virtual. You read about other states right?

The county health department never wanted MCPS to open last year, they probably didn’t this year either. As evidenced by his leaked emails, Dr. Gayles seems oddly bitter toward families who prioritize their kids education. They’re not going to sabotage school by not requiring masks, come on. More than one way to achieve the goal and this is a uniquely MoCo way to do it- quarantine kids unnecessarily and use it as “evidence” that in person is not sustainable.

In a way it is interesting that people are angry they have to miss one day or two to test a child than for en entire school system to close down. One might think the preference is to test and go to school this year. Don’t send a kid in sick seems common sense

No one is saying send a sick kid to school. Just don’t hold the non-sick kids hostage while waiting for test results for the sick kid. If this is such a great policy than why is MCPS the only district implementing it? There’s no evidence that this will meaningfully cut down on transmission but it’s almost guaranteed to result in continued disruption and lost instruction time.