Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this a Zach Pope idea? Because it sounds like a ZP idea. Poor planning, certain to be even worse execution.

They changed to a pool test due to shortage of the other tests.

There is indeed a nationwide shortage of tests. And pool testing is in theory a fine way to go about this -- lots of schools do it.

What's lacking is any kind of info about how the pooled tests are being handled. If I knew there were limiting the pools to individual classrooms I would opt in, because then I'd know there was a case in my kids class and wouldn't mind getting a separate test. If they're tested by grade, that's different...I already know of a case in DD's grade and we were not affected by that, and shouldn't be. Random pools by school? No way am I in. So, if APS wants to increase participation they need to get this info out there. Unless they were just informed of the change in tests by the vendor...and don't yet have a plan.

Anonymous wrote:APS is not an expert in COVID testing. They are a school system, not a hospital, public health office nor medical provider. They are using a contracted company for this and the

company's incentive is their bottom line. They don't care about kid's educations nor the relative risk to kids from COVID. I wish I had your level of faith. NYC did surveillance testing and that didn't 'end covid' and only caused disruptive quarantines.

Exactly. If APS really wanted to make a difference both in education results and impact on the pandemic, it would do mandatory weekly testing of all students, with a "test to stay" approach for all close contacts. What they are proposing with opt-in, pooled testing, and broad quarantines is simply pure disruptive theater. It will do almost nothing to keep students safe and it will result in continued learning loss for students. It is appalling.

+1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not do random individual testing instead of pooled testing given the circumstances? This just makes no sense. It's almost like they're trying to make it as unappealing as possible.

Ding ding ding!!!

The APS email explained this is due to a shortage of the individual tests. It's a supply issue.

Anonymous wrote:Is this a Zach Pope idea? Because it sounds like a ZP idea. Poor planning, certain to be even worse execution.

They changed to a pool test due to shortage of the other tests.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So now that they are doing pooled PCR testing... If a pool comes back positive, I assume that they will then retest the individuals in that pool with a rapid test rather than another PCR? And would the kids in the pool have to stay home during that time? Because ~36 hours + another 36 hours = what is even the point anymore?

Excellent question - if that is the case, I want to go back and opt-out.

Looks like APE has a post about this and emails from Pope indicate yes everyone in the pool would have to stay home and obtain individual PCR. Question is now would close contacts of those in the pool have to quarantine before confirmation of an individual PCR? One again APS is taking a measure that will close schools instead of helping to keep schools open.

If this is true, I want to go back and opt-out too. I'm fine with my kid getting individually tested. I'm not okay with my kid being asked to stay home because someone in the random pool testing came back positive.

It's true. I confirmed myself with the testing folks (btw their contact info is on the APS testing site). And yes anyone in the pool will have to stay home till they test again with a PCR. So multiple days for every pool positive.

What you're missing though is that PCR is MUCH more accurate. The rapid tests are GARBAGE when you don't have symptoms. I know, because I had a false positive! Plus, if someone in your pool is positive, at least for elementary, your kid would get deemed a close contact anyhow.

I think pooled testing makes much more sense. But they do need to work on getting results back quickly. Because otherwise the testing is not useful, as you've pointed out.

Pooled testing makes no sense if you are in a pool with someone that is in another grade at your school that you never came in contact with. And then, from the FB thread on APE, it sounds like all close contacts of those in a positive pool will also have to be quarantined and/or tested. This is just another in the list of massive fails for APS in the last 18 months.

Anonymous wrote:APS is not an expert in COVID testing. They are a school system, not a hospital, public health office nor medical provider. They are using a contracted company for this and the

company's incentive is their bottom line. They don't care about kid's educations nor the relative risk to kids from COVID. I wish I had your level of faith. NYC did surveillance testing and that didn't 'end covid' and only caused disruptive quarantines.

Exactly. If APS really wanted to make a difference both in education results and impact on the pandemic, it would do mandatory weekly testing of all students, with a "test to stay" approach for all close contacts. What they are proposing with opt-in, pooled testing, and broad quarantines is simply pure disruptive theater. It will do almost nothing to keep students safe and it will result in continued learning loss for students. It is appalling.

THIS!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So now that they are doing pooled PCR testing... If a pool comes back positive, I assume that they will then retest the individuals in that pool with a rapid test rather than another PCR? And would the kids in the pool have to stay home during that time? Because ~36 hours + another 36 hours = what is even the point anymore?

Excellent question - if that is the case, I want to go back and opt-out.

Looks like APE has a post about this and emails from Pope indicate yes everyone in the pool would have to stay home and obtain individual PCR. Question is now would close contacts of those in the pool have to quarantine before confirmation of an individual PCR? One again APS is taking a measure that will close schools instead of helping to keep schools open.

If this is true, I want to go back and opt-out too. I'm fine with my kid getting individually tested. I'm not okay with my kid being asked to stay home because someone in the random pool testing came back positive.

It's true. I confirmed myself with the testing folks (btw their contact info is on the APS testing site). And yes anyone in the pool will have to stay home till they test again with a PCR. So multiple days for every pool positive.

What you're missing though is that PCR is MUCH more accurate. The rapid tests are GARBAGE when you don't have symptoms. I know, because I had a false positive! Plus, if someone in your pool is positive, at least for elementary, your kid would get deemed a close contact anyhow.

I think pooled testing makes much more sense. But they do need to work on getting results back quickly. Because otherwise the testing is not useful, as you've pointed out.

OmG yOu Had A FalSe PoSiTIve!

Rapid tests have a low rate of false positives no matter how many times you tell your tale.

They are used for screening, which is recommended by the CDC.

I'm curious how many of the opt-in numbers were default from being tested over the past year. And how many people are even thinking about the consent they signed. I had to sign a consent form for my kid to be tested once last spring, this program wasn't in place but I suspect it counts as if I opted into the surveillance testing program.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So now that they are doing pooled PCR testing... If a pool comes back positive, I assume that they will then retest the individuals in that pool with a rapid test rather than another PCR? And would the kids in the pool have to stay home during that time? Because ~36 hours + another 36 hours = what is even the point anymore?

Excellent question - if that is the case, I want to go back and opt-out.

Looks like APE has a post about this and emails from Pope indicate yes everyone in the pool would have to stay home and obtain individual PCR. Question is now would close contacts of those in the pool have to quarantine before confirmation of an individual PCR? One again APS is taking a measure that will close schools instead of helping to keep schools open.

If this is true, I want to go back and opt-out too. I'm fine with my kid getting individually tested. I'm not okay with my kid being asked to stay home because someone in the random pool testing came back positive.

It's true. I confirmed myself with the testing folks (btw their contact info is on the APS testing site). And yes anyone in the pool will have to stay home till they test again with a PCR. So multiple days for every pool positive.

Looks like I'm revoking my consent then.

I was leaning toward opting-in, but this development is a deal-breaker for me. I’m normally not one to bash APS, but how could they screw this up so badly so as to provide such a big disincentive to test?

I have faith they know what they are doing. They are experts in the field.

I truly hope this is sarcasm. Please tell me you’re not serious.

They are neither experts in COVID, planning or energy basic education.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So now that they are doing pooled PCR testing... If a pool comes back positive, I assume that they will then retest the individuals in that pool with a rapid test rather than another PCR? And would the kids in the pool have to stay home during that time? Because ~36 hours + another 36 hours = what is even the point anymore?

Excellent question - if that is the case, I want to go back and opt-out.

Looks like APE has a post about this and emails from Pope indicate yes everyone in the pool would have to stay home and obtain individual PCR. Question is now would close contacts of those in the pool have to quarantine before confirmation of an individual PCR? One again APS is taking a measure that will close schools instead of helping to keep schools open.

If this is true, I want to go back and opt-out too. I'm fine with my kid getting individually tested. I'm not okay with my kid being asked to stay home because someone in the random pool testing came back positive.

It's true. I confirmed myself with the testing folks (btw their contact info is on the APS testing site). And yes anyone in the pool will have to stay home till they test again with a PCR. So multiple days for every pool positive.

What you're missing though is that PCR is MUCH more accurate. The rapid tests are GARBAGE when you don't have symptoms. I know, because I had a false positive! Plus, if someone in your pool is positive, at least for elementary, your kid would get deemed a close contact anyhow.

I think pooled testing makes much more sense. But they do need to work on getting results back quickly. Because otherwise the testing is not useful, as you've pointed out.

APS is not an expert in COVID testing. They are a school system, not a hospital, public health office nor medical provider. They are using a contracted company for this and the

company's incentive is their bottom line. They don't care about kid's educations nor the relative risk to kids from COVID. I wish I had your level of faith. NYC did surveillance testing and that didn't 'end covid' and only caused disruptive quarantines.

Exactly. If APS really wanted to make a difference both in education results and impact on the pandemic, it would do mandatory weekly testing of all students, with a "test to stay" approach for all close contacts. What they are proposing with opt-in, pooled testing, and broad quarantines is simply pure disruptive theater. It will do almost nothing to keep students safe and it will result in continued learning loss for students. It is appalling.

When APS wasn’t widely & loudly (& clearly) advertising the weekly testing option, I started to wonder if they didn’t really want to bother but wanted to say they were doing it. This new development with pooled testing only confirms my suspicions. I don’t think they want many people to sign up.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So now that they are doing pooled PCR testing... If a pool comes back positive, I assume that they will then retest the individuals in that pool with a rapid test rather than another PCR? And would the kids in the pool have to stay home during that time? Because ~36 hours + another 36 hours = what is even the point anymore?

Excellent question - if that is the case, I want to go back and opt-out.

Looks like APE has a post about this and emails from Pope indicate yes everyone in the pool would have to stay home and obtain individual PCR. Question is now would close contacts of those in the pool have to quarantine before confirmation of an individual PCR? One again APS is taking a measure that will close schools instead of helping to keep schools open.

If this is true, I want to go back and opt-out too. I'm fine with my kid getting individually tested. I'm not okay with my kid being asked to stay home because someone in the random pool testing came back positive.

It's true. I confirmed myself with the testing folks (btw their contact info is on the APS testing site). And yes anyone in the pool will have to stay home till they test again with a PCR. So multiple days for every pool positive.

Looks like I'm revoking my consent then.

I was leaning toward opting-in, but this development is a deal-breaker for me. I’m normally not one to bash APS, but how could they screw this up so badly so as to provide such a big disincentive to test?

I have faith they know what they are doing. They are experts in the field.

APS is not an expert in COVID testing. They are a school system, not a hospital, public health office nor medical provider. They are using a contracted company for this and the company's incentive is their bottom line. They don't care about kid's educations nor the relative risk to kids from COVID. I wish I had your level of faith. NYC did surveillance testing and that didn't 'end covid' and only caused disruptive quarantines.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So now that they are doing pooled PCR testing... If a pool comes back positive, I assume that they will then retest the individuals in that pool with a rapid test rather than another PCR? And would the kids in the pool have to stay home during that time? Because ~36 hours + another 36 hours = what is even the point anymore?

Excellent question - if that is the case, I want to go back and opt-out.

Looks like APE has a post about this and emails from Pope indicate yes everyone in the pool would have to stay home and obtain individual PCR. Question is now would close contacts of those in the pool have to quarantine before confirmation of an individual PCR? One again APS is taking a measure that will close schools instead of helping to keep schools open.

If this is true, I want to go back and opt-out too. I'm fine with my kid getting individually tested. I'm not okay with my kid being asked to stay home because someone in the random pool testing came back positive.

It's true. I confirmed myself with the testing folks (btw their contact info is on the APS testing site). And yes anyone in the pool will have to stay home till they test again with a PCR. So multiple days for every pool positive.

Looks like I'm revoking my consent then.

I was leaning toward opting-in, but this development is a deal-breaker for me. I’m normally not one to bash APS, but how could they screw this up so badly so as to provide such a big disincentive to test?

Yes I’m revoking consent too. I hope others do as well until APS figures this out. Otherwise not only will everyone in the pool be sent home if someone tests positive, but all their contact too?!?!

Are revocations even allowed?

Yes absolutely.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So now that they are doing pooled PCR testing... If a pool comes back positive, I assume that they will then retest the individuals in that pool with a rapid test rather than another PCR? And would the kids in the pool have to stay home during that time? Because ~36 hours + another 36 hours = what is even the point anymore?

Excellent question - if that is the case, I want to go back and opt-out.

Looks like APE has a post about this and emails from Pope indicate yes everyone in the pool would have to stay home and obtain individual PCR. Question is now would close contacts of those in the pool have to quarantine before confirmation of an individual PCR? One again APS is taking a measure that will close schools instead of helping to keep schools open.

If this is true, I want to go back and opt-out too. I'm fine with my kid getting individually tested. I'm not okay with my kid being asked to stay home because someone in the random pool testing came back positive.

It's true. I confirmed myself with the testing folks (btw their contact info is on the APS testing site). And yes anyone in the pool will have to stay home till they test again with a PCR. So multiple days for every pool positive.

Looks like I'm revoking my consent then.

I was leaning toward opting-in, but this development is a deal-breaker for me. I’m normally not one to bash APS, but how could they screw this up so badly so as to provide such a big disincentive to test?

I have faith they know what they are doing. They are experts in the field.