COVID-19 Exposed Students No Longer Required To Quarantine Under New Policy

September 24, 2021

A new COVID-19 quarantine policy is now in effect in Escambia County schools, keeping with a recent state directive that allows exposed students to never miss class.

Under the new rule, parents and guardians will be able to make the choice for their child in the Escambia County School District.

Students who are exposed to a COVID-19 positive case and who are asymptomatic, will no longer be required to quarantine. In this situation, if a parent wishes to send their asymptomatic child to school, no other action is necessary on the part of the parent or guardian, according to the district.

However, parents will still have the right to quarantine their asymptomatic students that have been exposed to a positive COVID-19 case for up to seven days from the date of the exposure. The parent or guardian must notify the school district of their decision for accurate attendance reporting.

“This new directive has altered District, as well as parental, protocols,” Superintendent Tim Smith said. “This ever-evolving situation will continue to be a work in progress. We ask that our parents and the community continue to work with District personnel as we navigate these new directives.”

Symptomatic students or students who have been deemed COVID-19 positive may return to school after:

  • receiving a negative COVID-19 test result and remaining asymptomatic OR
  • waiting 10 days since symptoms began or positive test result and have had no fever for 24 hours OR
  • receiving written permission from a medical doctor licensed under chapter 458, an osteopathic physician licensed under chapter 459 or an advanced registered nurse practitioner licensed under chapter 464.

The District will continue to keep records of contact tracing, adhere to enhanced cleaning and sanitizing protocols, and encourage social distancing, where feasible.

Comments

39 Responses to “COVID-19 Exposed Students No Longer Required To Quarantine Under New Policy”

  1. Lee on September 27th, 2021 9:26 am

    @Stumpknocker. Your argument is not logical. The buden is not to prove an election is fair; it is to prove it was not. No evidence has been found. Even the company hired to find fraud has found none. None of the investigations have found fraud. Again, the burden of proof is on the person claiming fraud. If you are stopped for speeding, you are not required to prove you weren’t. The burden is on the LEO who had the speed gun and can prove you were. Not liking the way an election turned out does NOT make it illegitimate. In case you haven’t noticed, there is a losing side EVERY election cycle.

  2. John Doe on September 27th, 2021 9:23 am

    @stumpknocker

    The election is over. Biden won. Give it a rest.

  3. Stumpknocker on September 27th, 2021 1:03 am

    @ Joy Bryant finally some who thinks rationally, your methods should be followed for all sickness, if your an alcoholic no treatment for you, or a smoker no treatment or maybe a drug user no narcan for that person, or pregnant no healthcare for them either they made that choice why should any good citizens pay for any of that? All sarcasm!!!!!

  4. Stumpknocker on September 27th, 2021 12:57 am

    @ David Hue Green, can you point out the indicators which would lead a person to believe a fair election occurred? Nothing was heard by a court, no explanation of the democrats saying they were closing the polling booth down, then once republicans left continued to pull out ballots and count them behind windows covered in plywood and so many other inconsistencies that occurred that was never looked at or investigated. Hard to believe that a man in a basement won anything at all or out performed Obama by so many more votes. And now we get to sit back and watch our country dismantled. If they went after Biden the way they did Trump he’d already be serving time.

  5. Lee on September 26th, 2021 10:31 pm

    @Diane – One of the governor’s biggest campaign donors is up to his eyeballs in monoclonal antibodies. DeSantis has been pushing them, while at the same time, he has taken measures that have allowed this virus to spread. See how that works? Stop the spread OR aid the spread while filling the coffers. Godly????

  6. Mary on September 26th, 2021 5:50 pm

    Covid will NOT be beaten. Just like the flu, stomach bugs, etc. I know people like to bring up polio as an example but polio did not have animal reservoirs. Covid does. Covid like the flu will continue to change. The shot is NOT a vaccine. It lessens symptoms. It will not eradicate the virus. As far as physicians wearing masks while they operate, it is done to prevent germs (sweat, saliva etc) from entering open wounds. Prior to covid, doctors and nurses did NOT wear masks when making rounds at hospitals. Two final thoughts.. No 1. If masks work how did covid impact China so much. They have been wearing masks in public for many years? No 2…why aren’t homeless people dying in mass numbers? They have terrible hygiene, many have underlying medical conditions, they have horrible diets, no masks and no social distancing? Unfortunately, this issue was made political from the beginning.

  7. Lisa Fuller on September 26th, 2021 3:12 pm

    I don’t know why people are arguing about masks on this article. It has nothing to do with wearing masks. Parents should be allowed to decide if their children need to stay home from school because they were exposed to someone with COVID. If you want to keep your child home, please do so. Don’t try to make your choice a mandate for everyone. I know several school teachers. They teach at different grade levels from K-12. They teach in different school districts. All of them said during school shut down, 30% of their students never logged on to their classes one single time. We could argue about the reasons for that but it doesn’t matter. It happened. Nearly 1/3 of our students didn’t receive any instruction when schools were closed. Students need to be in school. If your chid is exposed to COVID and you are concerned, keep them home. Certainly children who are sick with anything should stay home. But our kids shouldn’t be sent home simply because someone they sit near in class got sick. Being near a sick person doesn’t automatically mean you are sick. Let’s stop living in fear and use some common sense.

  8. Charlotte lucas on September 26th, 2021 2:50 pm

    I teach everyday and to my knowledge not one teacher or child has transmitted covid in school. Others can do what they want, I believe in free choice. Why are we so mean to others.

  9. David Huie Green on September 26th, 2021 1:42 pm

    REGARDING:
    “If there is a country left after the current hell in DC, and there are fair and honest elections brought back,”

    The worst place on earth doesn’t come close to the description of Hell Jesus described. (Not that some aren’t miserable, which is why they try to escape to America.)

    All indicators are that we had fair and honest elections. One keeps denying the fact but he is a well-known liar whose own people admit is wrong. The only unfair part of the elections is the selections we often face. Better people often don’t run or are not nominated.

    If you ARE one, please go for it.

    David for better people

  10. Jlb on September 26th, 2021 11:16 am

    For all you who think this is crazy…it’s not. Most of these children do not wear mask outside of school. Many have outside activities. Many children are missing 10 days of school because they were “exposed ” to covid. My grand-daughter had a head ache last week..was sent home..because that’s a symptoms of covid….so she missed several days until she could be tested…others by the time they were told their kids we “exsposed” 10 days had already My grand children have had covid…sick 2/3 days. Agree with our governor.

  11. joy bryant on September 26th, 2021 5:40 am

    YOU ARE NOT #1 no matter how much you try to be! when YOU have a disease that can KILL and YOU think YOUR rights come first and you play games with your CHILDREN-you shouldn’t have those children. WHAT THE HECK MAKES YOU ANTI cult members think you know it all! When you get sick YOU shouldn’t be allowed in the hospital! STAY home and take your animal deworming kit! YOU ARE NOT A good citizen or even a good person! SHAME ON YOU AND YOUR SELFISH STUPID WAYS

  12. Lee on September 25th, 2021 4:01 pm

    @Finally – That could work the other way. Since most parents support masks for kids, allow those kids to go to school. Let the spreaders stay home since they are the ones keeping this stuff going. Why should teachers and school staff be at risk because a minority won’t mask or get vaccinated. Realize the tide is turning and people are fed up with science deniers, concerned about more teacher shortages, and disgusted with a governor who is lining his campaign chest with money from “therapeutics.”

  13. Finally! on September 25th, 2021 10:26 am

    Diane….well said earlier!! Those of you opposed….keep your kids & yourself at home with every exposure! You have that choice! And you have the choice to wear a mask and whether or not you get vaxed. You do you! Let others worry about themselves. But the judgment & hate talk for other people’s choices are further dividing our country. So sick & tired of people using “Covid exposure” to get out of school or work. Covid had stuck our family; even had a death (lots of health issues); some are vaxed, some are not…who cares! Stop being so scared to live and carry on. I have family members I have not spent time with since all this started because they watch the news all the time & fear the world. It’s sad how they have allowed their life just to shut down and be alone because of listening to all the media fear tactics. What ever happened to my body my choice? Guess that only applies to killing innocent, unborn children!

  14. BT on September 25th, 2021 3:25 am

    I put my politics ahead of my child’s safety too.

    /s

  15. Robert R Bruner on September 25th, 2021 1:44 am

    Anti-science people amaze me. They believe what they WANT to hear and not what the REAL evidence shows. The like people who cherry pick data that fits their narrative. To them science is political. Tell that to the dead covid victims.

  16. Frank on September 24th, 2021 11:51 pm

    Concerned then wear a mask—- but don’t force me or my kids to…

  17. Concerned on September 24th, 2021 9:48 pm

    One local school has had two instructors pass away due to COVID. Wondering why it’s all kept SECRET?? These kids can spread it to our teachers!?? What is wrong with you people??

  18. Capt on September 24th, 2021 9:03 pm

    Well written Warren. The Governor that states he will punish local municipalities and school boards that try to protect their residents and students is truly Horrendous. What happened to the conservatives position of less government and allowing local government’s to govern themselves. It’s scary to even consider what a totalitarian leader like this would do given the opportunity in a higher position.

  19. Diane on September 24th, 2021 8:43 pm

    @Warren DeSantis is from God. He is unafraid to tell the truth, stands up to evildoers who spread misinformation and fool so many trusting people. He knows REAL science disputes junk science. If there is a country left after the current hell in DC, and there are fair and hones elections brought back, DeSantis would make the BEST president. God Bless this man who is good, honest, and developing courage to challenge evil at an ever-increasing and impressive rate.

  20. Bogia on September 24th, 2021 7:44 pm

    This makes me glad to live in Florida. Love reading the comments from the sheep that think mask make a difference. You grab a door know with covid on it then you place your hands by your nose and face to take it off. Wow.

  21. Warren on September 24th, 2021 5:53 pm

    Look folks anyone with an ounce of intelligence knows the legitimate science on this. The verified studies have been done. Gee we all know WHY healthcare workers wear masks in medical procedures way before this pandemic…for years and years…to help keep down the transmission of germs that can infect others and to some extent protect themselves. It’s not even debatable. But someone will inevitably quite some hair brain study that really didn’t happen because someone else noted it on social media. And the weak minded will believe it especially if it supports their already preconceived flawed reasoning…hook, line and sinker. DeSantis is not stupid he is horrendous. He values a political agenda that’s totally self serving over the lives and welfare of people, even children. That’s just how evil this man is…period…and it essentially has nothing to do with politics. The man simply exhibits, as he worships at the altar of the great deceiver, the same sociopathic behavior. Both these men are poster children for personality disorders. And this newly appointed surgeon general…well he apparently was chosen because he seems to come from the quack factory of misguided health experts!

  22. Lee on September 24th, 2021 4:53 pm

    So, now teachers must deal with their classrooms being used as incubators to spread this virus. No wonder we have a teacher shortage.

  23. Just D on September 24th, 2021 4:30 pm

    While our so called leaders have the populace at each other’s throats, they are systematically burning our country and its citizens to the ground. Do y’all see it yet???
    We’re slowly being eliminated.

  24. Rufus Lowgun on September 24th, 2021 4:17 pm

    The CDC looked at 520 counties across the country. Covid rates after the first two weeks of school in counties requiring masks in school were half what they were in counties with no school mask mandate. They just released it this morning.

    https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p0924-school-masking.html

    This “policy” makes absolutely no sense and is guaranteed to make more people, including kids, ill.

  25. Just D on September 24th, 2021 4:16 pm

    What Diane said!! A 1000 x OVER!!!

  26. Bob on September 24th, 2021 3:54 pm

    Florida.

    Where we suspend kids for wearing tank tops or posting their thoughts to social media, but telling them to stay home during a pandemic after they’ve been exposed is unacceptable.

    We really are the stupid state, aren’t we?

  27. Concerned on September 24th, 2021 3:27 pm

    This is why it’s not under control no one wants to pull together and beat this virus and our Stupid Governor is not helping until we all pull together and beat the virus it’s not going to get better . The ones that don’t wear a mask or want to listen to the distancing or mask rules what about your love ones do you want to make them sick ? Our country is so divided we will never be well again ,it’s on the news there are 3 more new viruses out there

  28. Concerned on September 24th, 2021 1:54 pm

    This is not ok. Asymptomatic people can still have covid and spread it to others. There are people out there who can’t get vaccinated. My dad died of covid my wife works for the school system and brought it home where she gave it to me, the kids and my father who was bed bound. There will be parents who will send there infected child to school cause they just don’t care where some young child will get it. I had to pull my kids out of school cause my son has health issues glad I didn’t send him back. But my wife works for the school system so with these new guidelines she will have a higher chance of bringing home covid again last time we got lucky it was only a mild case.

  29. Diane on September 24th, 2021 1:53 pm

    Professor Karl Hennigen, Oxford University says “Mask mandates are NOT evidenced-based”. Many experts who have the courage to speak up, agree, and are subsequently being smeared and “cancelled”.

    Professor J Battacharia, Stanford Medical School, one of the most renowned medical experts on the planet, calls lockdowns “the biggest !@#-up in human history.” Many of his colleagues agree, but are too afraid that speaking the truth will result in punishment by their “betters”.

    Gee, where else in history and in some countries today, do we see this kind of oppression, fear, and heavy hand of government control? Hmm? A new experience for those used to living in what they thought was a “free” country.

  30. Diane on September 24th, 2021 12:13 pm

    Quarantine the sick. Protect the vulnerable. Hang the guilty. Free everyone else.

  31. Henry W Coe Jr on September 24th, 2021 11:52 am

    I look forward to hearing about the Gov going around Florida and visiting kids in schools and shaking their hands.

  32. Teacher on September 24th, 2021 11:51 am

    Putting all school personnel and students in greater risks. This is probably why we aren’t a fully staffed county.

  33. P'cola on September 24th, 2021 11:26 am

    This seems like a reasonable policy. Florida’s new surgeon general, Dr. Joseph Ladapo (Harvard MD), is showing a great deal of leadership in these troubled times.

  34. Concerned cantonment resident on September 24th, 2021 10:20 am

    Yet another poor decision only for political gain, great going! So when cases go right up again in a month, don’t be surprised!

  35. Kane on September 24th, 2021 10:19 am

    So I can send my sick asymptomatic kid to school?? Am I the only one that this makes no sense too? Last year was bad my son barely graduated and then only because my Wife and the Guidance counselor at Tate High kept up with all the everchanging requirements he needed. But even with it that bad I would never have sent him to school he would have instead finished with an online GED course. I can’t imagine what parents are going through now and I am glad I don’t have too.

  36. George on September 24th, 2021 9:33 am

    Governor “DoShameUs” is at it again. His legacy will not be a good one…

  37. Josh Jones on September 24th, 2021 8:05 am

    S-T-U-P-I-D

  38. Capt on September 24th, 2021 7:52 am

    Question? How many parents would put their children into Governor Ron “Death-sentence’s” Childcare Business after his one term as Governor. Around 50,000 Floridian’s so far won’t get that option.

  39. J Graham on September 24th, 2021 6:29 am

    Finally some rational sanity from some government sector! It’s like those historic times in like, 2019. Refreshing. Grateful for a solid, reasonable American governor.