KINGDOM CITY, Mo. - After much discussion, North Callaway R-1 Board of Education members voted in favor of adopting an optional 10-day protocol quarantine for those exposed to COVID-19.
Previously, students and employees identified as "close contacts" of people diagnosed with COVID-19 were required to quarantine for 14 days - usually working or learning from home - while waiting to see if symptoms developed. Board members favored the policy change 6-1.
"My two cents is, I want my kids in-seat as much as possible," board member Ann Schmidt said.
Quarantine is used to separate someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 and may develop illness away from other people. It helps prevent spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they have the virus.
Currently, both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Callaway County Health Department recommends a quarantine period of 14 days - a person exposed to COVID-19 might take that long to develop symptoms. However, in early December, the CDC released guidelines for a shortened quarantine period, describing it as an "acceptable alternative."
A student or staff member may leave quarantine in 10 days if they report no COVID-19 symptoms during daily monitoring. To account for the small chance of transmitting COVID-19 after the quarantine period ends, the individual must wear a mask while at school until the entire 14-day period elapses (a further four days). They should also continue to self-monitor for symptoms.
South Callaway recently adopted the same protocol, though NC Superintendent Nicky Kemp said she hadn't been made aware of the decision prior to Thursday's meeting.
Both South and North Callaway rejected another option put forward by the CDC, which proposed a person could leave quarantine after seven days if they test negative on or after the fifth day of quarantine and if they report no symptoms during daily monitoring. That method carries an estimated 5-12 percent risk of post-quarantine transmission.
Kendall Pipes - the sole "no" vote - most strongly objected to the change in protocol, though early on Greg Huddleston also voiced an opinion that the school ought to stick with a 14-day quarantine before ultimately voting "yes."
"Are we worried about COVID-19 or are we worried about kids in-seat?" Pipes asked. "If we're worried about kids being in-seat, let's go with the seven-day and be done."
He also objected to changing the protocol so soon after reviewing and affirming it in November.
Board president Sandy Lavy said a 10-day quarantine is a way to balance both concerns, and is happening in response to a data-driven change in guidance.
"I do believe we're worried about both things," she said.
Dustin Moore also brought up questions about what happens if someone returns to school after 10 days but refuses to wear a mask.
"If you don't want to wear a mask, stay home for 14 days," Schmidt said.
And if they won't, "they go home," said Lavy. "There's rules in life."
Students can continue learning remotely for the remaining four days if they're unable or unwilling to wear a mask in school, according to district nurse Sara Speight.
For details of the proposed CDC policy adopted by North and South Callaway, visit the CDC's website.