August 19, 2020

Michigan Q and A for Schools and LHDs

The purpose of this document is to assist local health departments in

responding to questions from schools as they reopen for in person classes. It is

not intended to be provided to the schools. Recommendations are changing

frequently and the Health Alert Network provides LHDs with timely updates on

many of the questions posed here and many of the recommendations require

public health understanding of the local situation.

Scientific knowledge as well as legal and public health recommendations on COVID-19 are

constantly evolving. The information and recommendations within this document are current

as of the date of publication or latest revision, printed at the bottom of this page. Local health

departments and schools should always consult the appropriate websites for the latest

information and consult with their corporate counsel on public health legal and policy

questions and with their local school boards for educational policies.

Recommendations may be modified depending upon which phase of the pandemic a school

district is in. Different regions of the state may be in different phases and MI Safe Start Phases

may increase or decrease according to levels of local disease transmission. It is important that

schools be aware of current disease status in their regions. Executive Order 2020-142 states

that a district that straddles regions will be treated as if it were located solely in the region

designated as higher risk (EO 2020-142 6e).

Michigan’s policies and recommendations for schools are published in MI Safe Schools:

Michigan’s 2020-21 Return to School Roadmap.

Date of Publication:

August 19, 2020 Page 2

Contents 1. Current Status of COVID-19 in our area ................................................................................................ 3

2. Preventing Transmission of COVID-19 in the Classroom and At School ............................................... 3

3. Masks and Face Covering ...................................................................................................................... 5

4. Screening ............................................................................................................................................. 11

5. Testing for COVID-19........................................................................................................................... 13

6. Students and Staff with Symptoms consistent with COVID-19 .......................................................... 14

7. When a child or staff person tests positive for COVID-19 .................................................................. 16

8. School Closure ..................................................................................................................................... 21

9. Associates, Exposure, Quarantine & Returning to School .................................................................. 21

10. Record keeping ............................................................................................................................... 24

11. About the MI Roadmap, EO, State and Local Policies ..................................................................... 24

12. Daily Activities & Mental Health ..................................................................................................... 26

13. Cleaning & Sanitizing ....................................................................................................................... 28

Appendix A: Other Useful References ........................................................................................................ 31

August 19, 2020 Page 3

1. Current Status of COVID-19 in our area

Q 1.A: Will the Health Department share information about the number and locations of

active COVID-19 cases to help with our decision-making?

Local data is available on our website (LHDs insert their web address here )

Local and statewide daily and cumulative counts are available on Michigan’s Coronavirus Data

page.

Q 1.B: Where are the regional risk levels posted, is that the MI Safe Start map?

There is a bit of confusion among school districts over whether to follow the risk level

map or the economic reopening stage for the MERC region, which do not necessarily

align as per the disclaimer here: https://www.mistartmap.info/

There are many questions about the phases and risks levels. Schools also do not

understand the MERC regions and why smaller towns are in the same areas as larger

cities.

Epidemic phases and risk levels play an important role in planning, but the two are not connected.

Epidemic phases, indicated in the MI Safe Start Plan, convey necessary precautions and closures based on epidemiological data. These phases are enforced through Executive Order 2020-160, and subsequent Executive Orders. Decisions about school closures and mandatory precautions, outlined in the MI Safe Schools Roadmap, are based on these epidemic phases and Executive Orders.

Risk levels, indicated on the MI Safe Start Map, convey the risk of spread in a given region. Risk levels help the public make informed decisions about the places they live in or travel to.

Restrictions under MI Safe Start are shown at https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-100467_100913---,00.html

2. Preventing Transmission of COVID-19 in the Classroom and At

School

Q 2.A: Can kids pass COVID to other people, kids and/or adults?

Yes, young children may pose a lower risk of spreading COVID-19 to other children and adults.

However, kids have a lot of behaviors that encourage spread of germs so we need to err on the side

of caution. Studies suggest that high school age children spread COVID-19 at a rate similar to that of

adults .

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Q 2.B: Can students eat in the cafeteria?

Yes, if that is the only option. Schools should consider all possibilities such as outdoor or classroom

spaces to eat meals. If the cafeteria is used, the following protocols must be observed:

● Students must be spaced at 6 ft intervals.

● Staff serving food must wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including gloves,

face shields and masks.

● All students, teachers and food service staff should wash hands before and after every meal.

● To achieve social distancing requirements, staggered lunch times may be necessary. The size of

the cafeteria will determine capacity but every attempt should be made to limit the total number of

students to 50 or less.

Q 2.C: What is the maximum number of students that should be in that location (cafeteria) at

once?

● Fifty (50). Large scale assemblies or more than 50 students are currently suspended. Prohibit

assemblies that bring together students from more than one classroom.

● It is preferred/recommended that students have a consistent assigned seat and are spaced at six

foot intervals. The square footage will determine the ability to socially distance.

○ Assigned seats are critical for contact tracing.

○ Following cleaning protocols between lunch periods is critical.

Q 2.D: Is the recommendation to eat in classrooms at elementary?

It is recommended that ALL (elementary and secondary) students eat in classrooms,

understanding that needs and capability will vary.

Q 2.E: Is it possible to “cohort” students in an elementary classroom rather than social

distancing at the six foot interval?

● All efforts to keep students six feet apart should be taken. Cohorting is an additional way to

reduce contact between students.

● If cohorting, keep the cohort together as much as possible.

● Classroom cohorts should stay together in the cafeteria and the playground, keeping at least six

feet of space between individuals not in their cohort.

● Cohorts may be by classroom and/or groups within the classroom.

Q 2.F: How can we spread out in classrooms without more staff and space?

How am I to enforce distancing when I don't have enough room in the school building? School districts are developing detailed plans on how they will implement the requirements for

opening schools. Please consult your local school district plans to see how social distancing will

be achieved.

Q 2.G. Hand blow dryers - are they acceptable?

It is unknown whether hand dryers disperse potentially infectious droplets. CDC guidance

for hand hygiene recommends drying hands with a clean towel or air drying.

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Q 2.H: How high should Plexiglas barriers be between students?

We do not currently have guidance on the use of Plexiglas in schools. The American College of

Occupational and Environmental Medicine has stated that “The height of the partition needs to be

greater than the tallest standing user.” (See https://acoem.org/COVID-19-Resource-Center/COVID-

19-Q-A-Forum/Could-you-provide-guidance-on-the-use-of-plexiglass-barriers-for-workplaces-for-

sneeze-guard%E2%80%9D-dropl).

Q 2.I: What if I can't cohort my students? Schools should try to cohort groups of students to isolated hallways or areas that, if there is a

COVID-19 exposure, can be monitored for additional positive cases. Students who are not part of a

cohort should remain six feet from all other students and wear a mask, if age appropriate, as

outlined by the MI Safe Schools Roadmap.

Q 2.J: What about drinking fountains in schools? The virus that causes COVID-19 has not been detected in drinking water. Conventional water

treatment methods that use filtration and disinfection, such as those in most municipal drinking

water systems, should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.The Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that drinking fountains are cleaned and sanitized, but

encourage staff and students to bring their own water to minimize use and touching of water

fountains.

Additional suggestions to reduce transmission of disease through drinking fountains include:

Installation of foot pedals or motion sensor bottle fill stations

Hall monitoring by adults to prevent congregation of students

Support and reinforce a culture of handwashing after getting a drink

o Post signs by drinking fountains to remind of hand washing and sanitation

o Place hand sanitizer by drinking fountains

3. Masks and Face Covering Face coverings are required in schools and classrooms as outlined in Executive Order 2020-142. Refer to

MI Safe Schools Roadmap for detailed guidance. School districts may have facial covering requirements

approved by their Board of Education for Phase 5, when face coverings are recommended, not required

per the MI Safe Schools Roadmap.

For the purposes of Executive Order 2020-153, classrooms are not considered an enclosed public space.

The use of face coverings in classrooms is mandated through Executive Order 2020-142.

A mask may not protect the wearer, but it may keep the wearer from spreading the virus to others. The

purpose of masks is to keep respiratory droplets from reaching others to aid with source control. Masks

with one-way valves or vents allow exhaled air to be expelled out through holes in the material. This

can allow exhaled respiratory droplets to reach others and potentially spread the COVID-19 virus.

August 19, 2020 Page 6

Therefore, CDC does not recommend using masks if they have an exhalation valve or vent. (CDC

recommendation August 6, 2020)

Q 3.A: Who is required to wear a face covering?

This will depend upon the policies of the local school district. Each school district will need to

determine its own policy on face coverings, what documentation they will accept for a waiver, what

to do with students who cannot/will not wear a face covering, how they will enforce their rules and

other issues related to face coverings.

Q 3.B: Who should not wear a face covering?

The requirement to wear a face covering does not apply to:

Children under 2 years of age.

Students and staff who are unconscious, incapacitated or unable to remove the covering

without assistance.

Students and staff who cannot medically tolerate a face covering such as people who have

trouble breathing.

Schools should require documentation from a medical professional, as they do for other types of

accommodations.

Q 3.C: Are plastic face shields acceptable instead of the face mask?

Are face shields the same as face coverings?

Will mask use be enforced and are face shields a good alternative?

For staff who work with students who are hearing impaired and/or those with significant

disabilities is a Humanity Shield a safe option in lieu of a clear face mask? (looking for this

being the case for pre-K, 1, 2, 3 as well)

Could we require a shield if the doctor says they can’t medically tolerate a mask?

It is not known if face shields provide any benefit as source control to protect others from the spray

of respiratory particles. CDC does not recommend use of face shields for normal everyday activities

or as a substitute for masks.

Consider the use of clear masks for people who rely on lip-reading to communicate and for

those communicating with them.

It has not been determined if face shields fulfill the requirement of a face covering in the MI

Safe School Roadmap. Make sure to ask legal counsel if a face shield will comply with order. The

use of face shields may be reasonable accommodation if a doctor has determined that an

individual is unable to tolerate face masks or coverings.

If face shields are used without a mask, they should wrap around the sides of the wearer’s face

and extend to below the chin, fully covering the eyes, nose and mouth.

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Q 3.D: Will a doctor’s note be required for staff and students who medically cannot tolerate

wearing a face covering?

Schools should require documentation from a medical professional, as they do for other types of

accommodations.

Q 3.E: What PPE and training is required or recommended for our school nurse?

When is an N95 mask required?

Am I, as the nurse, able to get fit tested for an N 95?

School health staff should be provided with appropriate medical PPE to use in health suites. This

PPE should include N95 masks, surgical masks, gloves, disposable gowns, and face shields or

other eye protection. School health staff should be aware of CDC’s Infection Control Guidance

for Healthcare Professionals about Coronavirus.

Also of note, asthma treatments using inhalers with spacers are preferred over nebulizer

treatments whenever possible. The CDC recommends that nebulizer treatments at school

should be reserved for children who cannot use or do not have access to an inhaler (with

spacer or spacer with mask). Nebulizer treatments are an aerosol generating procedure,

which is the highest risk for spreading COVID-19.

Health staff should be trained on proper donning and doffing procedures and follow the

CDC guidance regarding precautions when performing aerosol-generating procedures.

Nebulizer treatments should be performed in a space that limits exposure to others and

with minimal staff present. Rooms should be well ventilated, or treatments should be

performed outside. After the use of the nebulizer, the room should undergo routine

cleaning and disinfection.

Staff, such as school nurses and other school staff, who are caring for children and providing

medical care that includes aerosol generating procedures (e.g. nebulizers) need to wear an

N95 mask. If you need to use an N95 mask, go to your occupational health clinic to get

medically cleared and fit-tested.

Also see Guidance for Healthcare Personnel on the Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in

Schools during COVID-19.

Q 3.F.i: Waivers- Does the Health Department have a form for doctors to complete stating

a student or employee cannot wear a mask?

We have had several parents say they are going to get doctor's notes to say they don't

have to wear a mask in school. They are asking about signing a waiver (like we have for

immunizations) - is this something that the Health Department would provide/allow?

No, local health departments do not have waiver forms for mask use by students or staff.

Keep in mind that health care providers are currently overwhelmed with requests for medical

exemptions to masks and some are simply refusing to provide them. There are only a few medical

reasons to not wear a mask, but these are not black and white, and require a medical evaluation. If a

August 19, 2020 Page 8

student or teacher is unable to provide you with a note, if this is what you require, by the first day of

school, know how you plan to handle this.

Q 3.F.ii: Waivers - Are there alternatives for students or staff who have a physician’s mask

waiver or will they need to be excluded?

Q 3.F.iii: Waivers - Should we have documentation of why a staff/child is unable to wear a

mask?

This will depend upon the policies on face coverings within your school district. But remember that

schools should require documentation from a medical professional.

Q 3.G: I am very concerned about young children wearing masks. I do not think this is a

healthy option for them. Please address this.

Should young children wear masks (K-2)?

Younger children (e.g., preschool or early elementary aged) may be unable to wear a cloth face

covering properly, particularly for an extended period of time. Wearing of cloth face coverings may

be prioritized at times when it is difficult to maintain a distance of six feet from others (e.g., during

carpool drop off or pick up, or when standing in line at school). Ensuring proper cloth face covering

size and fit and providing children with frequent reminders and education on the importance and

proper wear of cloth face coverings may help address these issues.

Q 3.H: What are the most important precautions that should be taken?

There is no single precaution that is the most important. Everyone should:

Stay home when they are sick

Wear a face mask around others, especially when a six-foot distance cannot be maintained

Wash hands frequently

Disinfect commonly touched objects and surfaces frequently

Cover coughs and sneezes

Avoid touching face

Q 3.I: What about masks on mass transit like Dial-A-Ride, other public transportation?

All the same recommendations apply. Most public transportation programs have similar

policies regarding masking, distancing, hygiene, etc.

Q 3.J: Why is social distancing not required on buses?

It is encouraged, but just like in classrooms, may not be possible to do without more busses and bus

routes, which is usually not possible. That is why masking is required on the bus and in transit.

Schools should consider assigned seating on buses so that children sit next to the students on each

August 19, 2020 Page 9

occasion, which could facilitate contact tracing as well as limit the number of students that might

have to be quarantined.

Q 3.K: Are masks required for all staff and students in school now?

For schools in regions that are in phase 4, 5 or 6, which is when schools are permitted to be open, the

MI Safe Schools Road Map and the Executive Order 2020-142 provide guidance on the use of face

coverings in specified situations.

Pages: pg. 22 for phase 4, pg. 38 for phase 5, pg. 54 for phase 6. This includes the following:

● Facial coverings must always be worn by staff except for meals.

● Facial coverings must always be worn in hallways and common areas by pre K-12 student in

the building except for meals.

● Facial coverings must be worn in classrooms by all students in grades 6-12.

● All students in grades K-5 must wear facial coverings unless students remain with their classes

throughout the school day and do not come into close contact with students in another class.

● Refusal to wear a mask or shield will result in being prohibited from entering the building.

● Students may be placed in remote/virtual learning.

● IEP, 504 and IFSP’s will need to address any medical needs that require supports due to

COVID-19.

Q 3.L: Is it OK to have mask free breaks?

Yes, scheduling times for staff and students to be outside and maintaining social distancing or having

quiet time in a classroom and maintaining social distancing are acceptable practices for breaks from

wearing masks.

Q 3.M: Does the new EO impact the wearing of face mask at all?

EO 2020-153 says any individual who leaves their home or place of residence must wear a face

covering over their nose and mouth when in any indoor public space. We have been advised that

with regards to this order, schools do not qualify as a public space. Therefore, the requirements in

the MI Safe School Roadmap takes precedent.

Q 3.N: There are times the bus and school become very warm, as we have no air conditioning.

Is there a certain temperature where it isn't recommended for students/staff to wear

masks?

No, but it is recommended that the windows are kept open on the bus and in classrooms to

improve airflow, weather permitting.

Q 3.O: Facial Coverings: Both Phases 4 and 5 indicate that PreK-5 and special education

teachers should consider wearing clear masks. Is a clear mask the same thing as a face

shield?

The clear mask is suggested to aid with communication for young children.

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A face shield is not the same thing as a clear face mask. Clear face masks are thought to

offer a greater level of protection.

Q 3.P: I see face shields are single use only for health care. Can they be reused in schools?

Most face shields are disposable and intended to be discarded after use. However, in the current

critical shortages, you could reuse face shields by cleaning and disinfecting until wear and tear is

visible. The CDC provides suggestions for cleaning of face shields for healthcare providers facing

critical shortages:

Carefully wipe the inside, followed by the outside of the face shield or goggles using a clean cloth saturated with neutral detergent solution or cleaner wipe.

Carefully wipe the outside of the face shield or goggles using a wipe or clean cloth saturated with EPA-registered hospital disinfectant solution.

Wipe the outside of face shield with clean water or alcohol to remove residue.

Fully dry (air dry or use clean absorbent towels).

Perform hand hygiene.

Q 3.Q: Do neck gators work for face coverings?

Any face covering is better than nothing and the requirement is for a “facial covering”, no

specification regarding what type. According to the CDC, an appropriate facial covering has multiple

layers of fabric. Neck gators are not recommended unless they can be folded over to have multiple

layers covering the mouth and nose.

Neck gators are usually a single layer of cotton or synthetic materials. The material is thin and

stretchy, which means a decreased ability to contain droplets. Anything stretchy will be worse as

the size of the “filter” will get bigger and less effective.

Two layers of tightly woven cotton, such as quilting fabric or cotton sheets are preferred for

cloth face coverings.

According to the CDC an appropriate mask:

fits snugly but comfortably against the side of the face completely covers the nose and mouth is secured with ties or ear loops includes multiple layers of fabric allows for breathing without restriction can be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape

Q 3.R: Rural Country Schools: if classrooms have multiple grades in each room, do even the k-

5 have to wear masks all day? K-5 students wearing masks in the classroom is strongly recommended but not required if they are

strictly cohorted.

Q 3.S: Can someone who won't wear a mask come to school anyway? If face coverings are required in the MI Safe Schools Roadmap, then no, they cannot come to school,

unless that person cannot medically tolerate a mask.

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Q 3.T: Do all students (5yrs and up) and staff need to wear masks at all times at school with

the new executive order? There is confusion due to the roadmap strongly recommending

mask outside of the classroom but not requiring it. The requirement to wear masks is different for each epidemic phase. “Strong recommendations” in the

MI Safe Schools Roadmap should be considered to best protect students and staff, however only

“Requirements” are required within a given phase. Refer to the MI Safe Schools Roadmap for full details.

Schools are not considered “public places” for the purpose of the Executive Order 2020-147.

4. Screening

Q 4.A: Our task force group had many questions regarding screening for both employees and

students. Our current Preparedness and Response Plan included a self-check by staff

before work. We do not track staff coming and going from the building. Do we need to put

a formal check in place? If so, I would like to copy what your school does - a text message

every morning that someone can just react to!

All schools, public and private, are subject to the rules governing workplace safeguards established

in section 1 of Executive Order 2020-114 (now replaced by 145)

https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499_90705-531123--,00.html

Per EO 2020-145: Conduct a daily entry self-screening protocol for all employees or contractors

entering the workplace, including, at a minimum, a questionnaire covering symptoms and suspected

or confirmed exposure to people with possible COVID19.

You can also use a virtual screener. One option from the state is

https://misymptomapp.state.mi.us/login

Q 4.B: Do we have to formally screen students with a health check?

How do we screen kids without bogging the whole schedule down?

What are options for screening of students - the how and where?

Temperatures before getting on the bus- are they required, or can be done at the

schools?

How best to handle screening either by the school or self-screening for students?

Questions on investing in screening machines and whether they can ask screening

question.

It is recommended you screen students daily. The school should determine the screening

method to use depending upon local school conditions.

August 19, 2020 Page 12

Due to the time and interruption to education doing this on-site prior to school entry this would

cause, the health department feels that instructing parents to do this prior to sending their kids

to school is acceptable. They can do this remotely through an app or text message or you can

send them with a card, magnet, door hanger, etc. that reminds them to do this each day.

Recommended information for such a tool are:

Before leaving for school please make sure of the following:

Has your child(ren) started to have any of the following, not due to some other known health problem?

Temperature over 100.4 Fahrenheit when taken by mouth? Sore throat New, uncontrolled cough that causes difficulty breathing (for students with chronic

allergy/asthmatic cough, a change in their cough from baseline) New onset of severe headache, especially with a fever Diarrhea, vomiting or abdominal pain

Has your child(ren) had close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19? Since they were last at school, has you child(ren) been diagnosed with COVID-19?

If the answer is YES to any of these questions, keep your child(ren) home from school. Call the

school as soon as possible to let them know the reason your child(ren) will not be there today. Call

your healthcare provider right away. If you don’t have one or cannot be seen, go to

Michigan.gov/CoronavirusTest or call 2-1-1 to find a location to have your child(ren) tested for

COVID-19.

Q 4.C: Is it legal to take temperature and ask questions about a student's health - HIPPA

comes up often. Will schools be violating HIPPA if we ask questions?

No. Schools are not a “covered entity” with regards to HIPPA. HIPPA does not apply to you. FERPA

applies to schools.

Q 4.D: Are we required to record the current temperature or simply certify that it is below at

100.4 F?

There is no specific requirement to check a temperature. You should, at a minimum, have staff and

students self-monitor and report if they feel feverish. If you have a thermometer, you can check

temperatures to ensure everyone is under 100.4oF.

Q 4.E. How does taking temperature relate to people who are asymptomatic? Is it accurate

that someone without a higher temperature reading can still pass COVID-19 to someone

else?

About 40% of people infected with COVID-19 are thought to have no symptoms at all (are

asymptomatic). That includes having no fever. Of children with symptomatic COVID-19, nearly half

do not have a fever, and nearly one in four adults do not have a fever. Having a fever is very

suggestive of COVID-19 but you can have COVID-19 and not have a fever.

August 19, 2020 Page 13

Q 4.F: Screening Students and Staff

We do not recommend the schools do health screening, nor does the CDC

(see https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-

childcare/symptomscreening.html). We recommend, as does the CDC, that parents do this prior to

sending children to school.

Q 4.G: How often do symptoms need to be checked during the day? Students should be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 before the start of their school day.

5. Testing for COVID-19

Q 5.A: If we have students/parents/staff needing COVID tests, are those free?

Who is going to pay for suggested testing? Most doctors’ offices, as with other tests, will bill insurance. If someone does not have insurance,

they can bill CARES Act. There are also testing sites that will test for free. One can find these testing

sites at this link by calling 211 or go to Michigan.gov/CoronavirusTest

Q 5.B: If a student is symptomatic, besides sending them home, can we require a COVID-19

test?

Consult your school district policies and possibly your legal counsel.

Q 5.C: Do all students or staff that were working in close proximity to others who tested

positive, now have to get tested? Who pays for those tests? Are they happening at school?

How are the parents being notified? Does everyone in each of those kids' families need to

get tested?

In general, people that are considered a close contact to a case are recommended to be tested, but

it is not required. It helps to identify more cases and identify and quarantine more contacts, but if

they test negative, they cannot be released from quarantine early.

It is billed to their insurance; however, there are testing sites that provide free testing from the

state: they can call 211 for locations or go to Michigan.gov/CoronavirusTest

Parents will be notified by the school that there is an identified or suspected COVID-19 case. The

local health department will notify parents if a student is a close contact and if the student needs to

quarantine.

Q 5.D: How will testing be handled in the event of an outbreak? When a case is identified in a school, the local health department must be notified as soon as

possible. The local health department will work with the school to develop a plan for addressing the

outbreak, including any testing that might be recommended.

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Q 5.E: How do we handle the students/staff in a classroom where someone has been tested

but test results are pending? Close contacts of someone who is symptomatic should follow quarantine guidelines. While the test

result is pending, all students and staff should be vigilant about social distancing, hygiene, and self-

monitoring for symptoms. Work with your local health department to determine if class should not

be held until the test results are known.

Q 5.F. Where are local COVID-19 testing sites?

Testing locations frequently change. The most updated list of testing locations can be found by calling

211 or visiting Michigan.gov/CoronavirusTest .

Q.5.G: Are there consistent guidance for LHDs on screening and testing for schools to allow

for consistency between LHDs particularly because ISDs, RESAs, and local school districts

cross LHD jurisdictional boundaries and MERC regions?

Routine testing for COVID-19 in schools is not recommended. See the section on Screening above.

6. Students and Staff with Symptoms consistent with COVID-19

Q 6A: How are we to differentiate between allergies or common flu symptoms and COVID

symptoms?

This is very difficult. We know that there is overlap between the list of symptoms associated with COVID-19 and other common causes, including seasonal allergies. A student or staff member showing symptoms of COVID-19 must follow the same procedure as any other individual before returning to the school. Students or staff with pre-existing health conditions that present with specific COVID-19 – like symptoms, such as seasonal allergies, may not need to be excluded if they have been evaluated by a health care provider for those specific symptoms and the health care provider determined them to not be due to COVID-19. However, if those symptoms worsen or change, the student or staff member may still be required to be excluded and not return until re-evaluated or tested as described above. There have been many cases of COVID-19 that seemed to be nothing more than worsening allergies.

Q 6.B: A child or staff has symptoms of COVID-19 and tests positive for COVID-19*:

● Keep out of school until it has been at least 10 days from the first day they had symptom AND they have had 24 hours with no fever and symptoms have improved

o After criteria are met, they may return to school. They do not need to take an additional test with a negative result to return to school.

*If they have symptoms, they must stay out of school until test results are available

Q 6.C: A child or staff has symptoms of COVID-19 and no testing for COVID-19 was done:

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● If they have symptoms AND have had potential exposure/close contact, then keep out of school until it has been at least 10 days from the first day they had symptoms AND they have had 24 hours with no fever and other symptoms have improved.

● Encourage evaluation by a health care provider. ● If a student has symptoms but NO potential exposure/close contacts, then their symptoms can be

managed as a non-Covid condition even without a test. See CDC’s guidance at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/symptom-screening.html

● They may return to school if o their health care provider diagnoses them with another cause for their symptoms (e.g.,

urinary tract infection, strep throat, allergies) and presents a note from that provider AND o their return is based on the guidance for their diagnosis (see “Managing Communicable

Diseases in Schools” https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch/Managing_CD_in_Schools_FINAL_469824_7.PDF

Q 6.D: A child or staff has symptoms of COVID-19 and tests negative for COVID-19*:

If they were exposed to COVID-19 within the previous 14 days: Keep out of school until it has been at least 10 days from the first day they had symptoms AND they have had 24 hours with no fever and other symptoms have improved. The child or staff may need to complete a full 14-day quarantine, depending on guidance from the local health department. *if they have symptoms, they must stay out of school until test results are available

Q 6.E: Child or staff that has been exposed to COVID-19 but has no symptoms:

They must be in quarantine (exclude from school) for 14 days from the last day they were exposed.

Q 6.F: What are the Health Department recommendations when a student comes to school

and is suspected of being sick?

I know we can suggest talking to a doctor. Do they return when they are not

symptomatic?

What if the parent insists their symptoms are “just a cold” etc. Can they return the next

day (as long as no temp) Do we have any room to request Dr. note to return etc.?

A child is sent home because they don’t feel well and then show back up the next day –

should the child be tested for COVID? Should the child be allowed back in school?

What to do with the kid who has a runny nose?

School should have policies and procedures in place to address this situation as part of their Return

to School plans.

Students who become ill with symptoms of COVID-19 should be placed in an identified quarantine

area and wear a surgical mask. Note that a wide range of symptoms may indicate COVID-19

August 19, 2020 Page 16

including fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body

aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or

vomiting, and or diarrhea. See Q 6.C above

A Designated staff person should be identified to care for the student until the student can be

picked up. This staff should likewise be masked with a minimum of face mask and goggles/face

shield.

The Health Department will work with local school districts to provide serial testing for staff that

are designated to monitor ill students.

o Testing may alleviate staff concern regarding exposure; May provide confidence for staff,

potentially increasing attendance.

o Individuals may go to doctors or testing sites across the county. It may be possible for the Local

Health Department to create a team that would come to a site to test. (Mobilized only as

necessary). This will be reviewed when there is an outbreak at a building. Testing strategies will

be developed as necessary as conditions change.

Students should be transported by a household member and should not be sent home on the bus.

A script should be provided by the school for secretaries/staff who are calling home

Q 6.G: Do ill students need to be tested?

Ideally, yes. Testing should be done off-site. It would be very helpful if this process was established

for each school district in case a primary care doctor was not accessible.

Q6.H: What about individuals that have chronic medical conditions that result in COVID like

symptoms or another diagnosis is made (i.e. strep throat, allergic reaction, asthma attack) do

those individuals need to stay home for 10 days? They may return to school if their health care provider diagnoses them with another cause for their symptoms (e.g., urinary tract infection, strep throat, allergies) and presents a note from the provider. See also Q.6.C above.

Q 6.I: When a student or staff member is sent home for symptoms, do they really need to be

out for 10 days if they do not get a test?

See question Q.6.C above.

Q 6.J: If we have multiple people with symptoms, how do we hold them safely? Schools should address this in their plans.

7. When a child or staff person tests positive for COVID-19

August 19, 2020 Page 17

All schools, public and private, must cooperate with the local public health department if a confirmed

case of COVID-19 is identified, and in particular, must collect the contact information for any close

contacts of the affected individual from two days before he or she showed symptoms to the time when

he or she was last present at the school.

Q 7.A: What will this look like?

For the most part, this should be similar to any other communicable disease (whooping cough,

chicken pox, etc.). It will be ideal to designate 2 or 3 primary contacts at your school that will be

liaisons to the communicable disease staff at the local health department. Typically, this would be

your school nurse, secretary, administrative assistant, and so on. First, we make sure both the

school and the health department know about the case. Only a select few at the school should know

the identity of the person. Those few individuals are needed to help the health department figure

out who were close contacts to the case and determine what areas of the school need special

attention for disinfection and cleaning. Other than those few individuals, the person’s identity is

kept confidential in respect of their privacy as well as following regulations of FERPA (for schools)

and HIPAA (for the health department).

Q 7.B: What is a close contact to COVID-19

If an infected staff member is in a class with students or is working in close proximity to

others, do they all then stay home and quarantine for 14 days if there is a positive case?

Many things affect what a close contact is and these need to be determined on a case-by-case basis

with help from the local health department.

A close contact will be, at a minimum, an individual who has been within 6 six feet of an infected

person for at least 15 minutes starting 2 two days before the contagious person started having

symptoms (or 2 days before a positive specimen was collected if they never have symptoms). The 15

mins may not necessarily be continuous, but may be cumulative. The Council for State and

Territorial Epidemiologists in their updated Case definition (Interim 20-ID-02) notes that “However,

it depends on the exposure level and setting”. They also note that “Data are insufficient to precisely

define the duration of exposure that constitutes prolonged exposure and thus a close contact”.

Close contacts will need to be quarantined for 14 days.

Q 7.C: What happens when a staff person or student tests positive for COVID-19

What are the school plans, we need protocol/template from LHDs for handling: 1)

positive tested COVID Teacher/staff and a symptomatic teacher/staff and 2) positive COVID

tested student and situation with a symptomatic student in the classroom?

What are close contacts as opposed to regular contacts?

How will we determine who needs to be quarantined after an exposure at a school?

Is it possible a whole class can put on quarantine?

August 19, 2020 Page 18

The school district should have developed plans and protocols for how they will handle a case of

COVID-19 in a staff person or a student. The local health department also has procedures for

investigating and mitigating COVID-19, and these include a determination as to who are close

contacts. For example:

o Students in a classroom where a contagious teacher was not keeping 6 feet away from

students while teaching (i.e., walking around while lecturing, doing a lot of one on one, face to

face instruction),

o For COVID-19, a close contact is defined as any individual who was within 6 feet of an infected

person for at least 15 minutes starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic

patients, 2 days prior to positive specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.

This would typically be the one to two rows of students sitting closest to the contagious

individual.

o Lunch-mates of student, if sitting within 6 feet of a contagious individual. This is a higher risk

time as face coverings cannot be worn.

o Playmates on the playground or in gym within 6 feet of the contagious individual, unless

interactions are consistently kept very brief and no common items are shared, and locker

room time is not shared.

o Sports teammates within 6 feet of the contagious individual unless interactions are

consistently kept very brief and no common items are shared, and locker room time is not

shared.

o Opposing teammates in sporting events that shared time on the field or court with the

contagious individual unless it can be confirmed that there were no potential interactions

within 6 feet between the contagious individual and specific teammates and no contact with

shared items (i.e., the contagious person didn’t touch the ball, others did not touch the ball).

o Classmates or others that had interactions with the contagious individual lasting over 15

minutes in confined areas such as bathrooms, office room, where distancing of 6 feet is

difficult.

● Any other person outside of school that had similar exposure to a contagious individual is

considered a close contact.

The health department may determine close contacts from additional information as well, but these are

basic guidelines.

Assigned seating in the classroom, during meals and on buses could make determination of close

contacts easier and could also reduce the number of students who need to be quarantined.

The health department can help with drafting letters to send home to parents regarding the case as

well as any press releases and social media communications if needed.

These are guidelines and are open to interpretation. Local health departments should use their

judgement and experience to determine who would be considered a close contact. Also see Q 9.A

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Q 7.D: What if someone who lives in the same house as a staff member tests positive? Does

that staff member now need to take 14 days off of work to quarantine?

Yes, an exposed student or staff member with a household contact with COVID-19 would be asked

to quarantine at home for 14 days from the last close contact. If ongoing care of the person with

COVID-19 is required in the home, and the student or staff member has to be that caregiver and is

repeatedly exposed, their quarantine would be 14 days from the time that person is no longer

deemed infectious (at least 10 days after symptom onset or positive test result, and 24 hours fever-

free without the use of fever reducing medications and other symptoms have improved), totaling up

to 24 days. The staff member could work remotely during this time.

Q 7.E: Substitutes teach in multiple schools. What if they are diagnosed with COVID-19? Do all

the kids in each school now have to quarantine and get tested?

All of the individuals in each school determined to be close contacts while the teacher was

contagious would need to be in quarantine. It is recommended that close contacts get tested to see

if they are infected, but it is not required. A negative test result does not allow someone to get out

of quarantine early. Work with the local health department to determine who are close contacts

and what actions schools should take.

Q 7.F: How long until COVID-positive student or staff member may return to school?

At least 10 days from the onset of their symptoms, and

24 hours without fever, and

Other symptoms have improved.

[Note, this is a recent change in recommendation from CDC. Previous guidance required 3 days

without fever). Guidelines for return to school are subject to change based on phase and

progression of the pandemic.

Q 7.G: What is the notification process for students and/or staff suspected and/or confirmed

of having COVID? *

Will local health departments provide letters to send to parents?

Schools must cooperate with the local public health department if a confirmed case of COVID-19

is identified.

Each school district should develop policies and procedures for communication should a student

or staff member have a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19. Schools should designate a

staff person to be responsible for responding to COVID-19 concerns (e.g., school nurse) as well

as a secondary person to help with difficult situations and cover absences. All school staff and

families should know who this person is and how to contact them.

The contact person will communicate daily reporting of illness and referrals for testing (if

occurring) and weekly absenteeism rates to the local health department. This person must be

August 19, 2020 Page 20

able to be contacted outside of normal business hours. It may be prudent to assign more than

one staff person to this role.

● The contact person must follow all HIPAA/FERPA regulations

● They will be required to notify the local health department of a potential exposure;

exposure occurs when a person has had contact with an individual who has had a positive

COVID-19 test and is still considered contagious.

The School District should work with the local health department to develop notification letters.

The School District will be responsible for sending these letters after the local health

department (or a physician) has confirmed a positive result

○ A general letter to everyone (parents).

○ A general letter to staff.

○ A more specific letter which goes to those who have had contact with the positive

individual.

○ The local health department will follow up with individuals.

Examples of letters can be found in the Local Health Department’s Schools Toolkit

● The health department will initiate contact tracing as needed. There are other actions that

the local health department will undertake, which may include:-

○ Obtain a list of students in the cohort; identified staff members, seating charts.

○ Talk with teachers and staff.

○ Contact family members, including siblings as part of their contact tracing protocols.

○ Determine any close contacts to the case, as it is likely that they may be quarantined

for 14 days. This will be directed by the local health department.

○ Provide a script for building secretaries to use when calling parents regarding

contact tracing and/or COVID inquiries.

Q 7.H: Any HIPAA or other privacy concerns with sharing medical information?

What information can they share with the LHD considering FERPA?

You are required to provide the local public health department pertinent information. However,

families, students and staff should not be given names or any other identifying information.

Q 7.I: What is a possible case of COVID-19? The road map states to notify the Health

Department of a possible COVID-19 case?

A possible case is a student who has symptoms of COVID-19 but has not yet been tested or is awaiting

test results. Identifying possible cases as soon as possible allows the health department to investigate

and mitigate potential outbreaks.

Schools will need to be prepared to flip back and forth between remote and in-person learning for

families when there is an exposure.

August 19, 2020 Page 21

8. School Closure Q 8.A: What is a guideline for districts when determining when closures should occur? How

many cases or percentage of students, team members, staff?

When schools will have to close when there is a confirmed case? General Guidance?

What is the case threshold to close schools?

What is a good guide/threshold for closing school if cases pop up among students/staff (one positive,

3, 20, etc.)

What are the triggers for closure? Who is making the ultimate decision on closure?

If there a positive case how much of the school has to be shut down?

School districts will retain the authority to close their school buildings even if they have not been

mandated to do so. This decision would be made with assistance from your health department.

There is an group working on this. It is our sincere desire that this guidance will be consistent across

the state. Implicit in this would be the teaching staff capacity and MDE decisions about counting

school days.

Q 8.B: What is considered an outbreak number, and is it per building or classroom? A cluster of COVID-19 cases is considered an outbreak when there is one known index case and at

least one case associated with that index case. This may occur across classrooms or buildings. The

local health department will determine any outbreak status and will advise on the appropriate

response for classrooms and buildings.

9. Associates, Exposure, Quarantine & Returning to School

Q 9.A: If a student must quarantine for 14 days, do the rest of their classmates AND their

siblings have to as well?

Only students and staff considered a close contact to case are required to quarantine. Decisions

about close contacts will need to take into account the exposure level and setting.

For COVID-19 it is typically said it is being within 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) of an infected person

for at least 15 minutes. In reality, it isn’t always this simple. The important things to consider, when

deciding if someone could be at risk for getting COVID-19, include the intensity, frequency, and

duration of exposure to someone while they are contagious with COVID-19.

The intensity of exposure refers to how much virus you were exposed to. Was the sick person really

contagious when you were exposed to them? Were they coughing and sneezing without a mask on

versus having no symptoms with a mask on? Did you kiss them? Did you share personal items like a

drink or a vape pen? Did you sit right next and have a face to face conversation to them or were you

6 feet away with your back to them? You can see how some situations can cause you to be exposed

August 19, 2020 Page 22

to a lot more virus than other situations. The more virus you are exposed to, the more likely you are

to get sick.

The frequency of exposure refers to how often you had contact with someone who was contagious.

If you had a brief face-to-face conversation with a teacher each day for several days while the

teacher was contagious with COVID-19, those exposures may add up to be enough to overwhelm

your system and lead to an infection.

The duration of exposure refers to how long were you exposed. If you were in a classroom with

someone contagious for COVID-19 for 6 hours a day while they were contagious for several days, yet

your seat was not within 6 feet of them, you may still have had a long enough duration of exposure

to that person, particularly to aerosols and objects in that classroom.

Q 9.B If my spouse tests positive for COVID-19, but I have not been diagnosed (yet), should I

let everyone who was at our ad staff meeting know to monitor symptoms?

No – contacts of contacts do not need to be notified. The undiagnosed spouse should remain in

quarantine to limit possible exposures, however. Another example of a contact of a contact: Bob sits

next to Fred in class. Fred gets sick with COVID-19. Bob needs to be in quarantine but is healthy at

this time. Bob plays on the football team. No one on the football team has been near Fred.

Therefore, the football team doesn’t need to be notified about Fred being sick or worry about Bob

being on quarantine at this time.

Q 9.C: Here is the hypothetical scenario: A high school student tests positive for COVID-19.

He/She was in multiple classrooms immediately before the positive test. How would the

other students in attendance be handled in terms of tracing, testing, and quarantining?

Depending on COVID-19 prevention used, distancing between students, if student sat by same

people every day, symptoms (coughing/sneezing/etc or minimal) and how many days in class with

symptoms, the need for quarantine may only apply to the students nearest the case or to the entire

classrooms. Health Department staff are experienced at determining who are close contacts to

infectious diseases and will contact the students that need to be quarantined.

Q 9.D. What will happen if one Nutrition Staff Member is diagnosed positive with COVID 19

and had been working. Will our kitchen automatically be shut down for 14 days or can

staff members from another school building continue to still feed our students?

Close contacts would ideally be in quarantine. However, these individuals are considered critical

infrastructure workers and can be allowed to continue to work after an exposure IF they follow very

strict protocols. See https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/critical-

workers/implementing-safety-practices.html.

Work closely with the local health department to make this determination. If a close contact

becomes symptomatic, they should immediately leave work.

August 19, 2020 Page 23

Q 9.E. When a student in a classroom this fall, or an athlete on a team in summer practice is

tested and COVID positive, what should be our first priority in communication and action?

Not to panic, let everyone know you will be working with the health department to identify close

contacts and take all the steps that need to be taken. You do not want to get out the wrong message

quickly, rather assure people you will get the correct message out as soon as possible.

Q 9.F: When can a sick student/staff member return (symptom-free? 14 days? 3 days post

symptoms? etc.)

See: Q6 B-E

Also CDC’s guidance at When You Can be Around Others After You Had or Likely Had COVID-19

Q 9.G: If we do close our schools absent a regional mandate (Regions and Phases) due to a

localized outbreak, when can we return (14 days later?, etc.)

It isn’t known at this time. Previously the CDC said 5 days. It would typically be a full incubation

period or 14 days. Guidance will likely change; health departments and schools should work

together on that.

Q 9.H: If the school has identified an isolation room for sick children, do they need to have a

separate room for each sick child or can multiple children be placed in the same room

provided they are masked and kept 6ft apart?

Per CDC, “identify an isolation room or area to separate anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms or

tests positive but does not have symptoms”. You can keep those you suspect have COVID-19 in the

same room, keeping them as far apart as possible. Children should wear surgical masks in the

isolation room as long as medically tolerated. Keep all others in a different room.

Q 9.I: The initial guidance from the CDC from March indicates that when anyone with COVID-

19 enters a school building we are to “Dismiss students and most staff for 2-5 days. This

initial short-term dismissal allows time for the local health officials to gain a better

understanding of the COVID-19 situation impacting the school. This also allows the local

health officials to help the school determine appropriate next steps, including whether an

extended dismissal duration is needed to stop or slow further spread of COVID-19.” Is this

still the case?

No, only close contacts are dismissed for 14-day quarantine.

In the post-pandemic phase of the MI Safe School Roadmap (Phase 6), if a lab confirmed case is

identified, then short term dismissals may be required (see pg 54 of MI Safe Schools).

Q 9.J: What resources will MDE be providing to school districts?

August 19, 2020 Page 24

Schools may want to communicate with their contacts at the MDOE directly.

Q 9.L: What to do with a parent who refuses to quarantine a child and brings them to school?

This can be addressed by the local health department and they may involve local law

enforcement.

Q 9.K: How to maintain school personnel at work after exposure? Work with your local health department to determine if the exposure meets the criteria for a close

contact. School policies may cover staffing in such situations.

10. Record keeping

Q 9.A: Do we have to keep a health record on each student like employees?

No. The records on employees are OSHA requirement that does not apply to students.

11. About the MI Roadmap, EO, State and Local Policies

Local school districts set policies for their schools to follow during this pandemic and should be in

adherence to any federal and state executive orders, laws, and policies. This includes responsibilities

within the school system for implementation, and enforcement of school policies.

Q 10.A: The roadmap states we need to train our staff and students on proper hygiene re:

handwashing, coughing and sneezing, etc. Are there materials explaining the COVID 19

illness that the health department will be giving to schools to help facilitate this

education?

The CDC has materials available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-

ncov/communication/toolkits/schools.html

There are also numerous resources available for public use at

https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/covid-19-resources.aspx#Learning-Topics

Q 10.B: How can the health department help us advocate for extricating our county from our

COVID-19 Region?

You can speak with your elected officials. We do see a lot of travel in our residents and a lot of

fluctuation in community spread and it is very difficult to define and predict disease activity. The

epidemic phases and risk levels are determined by doing careful analysis of data including number

of cases, number of tests, and recent trends, which are outside of school system control.

Q 10.C: Under Phase 4 of the MI Safe Start under athletics Large scale outdoor spectator

events are limited to 100 people, can there still be a concession stand for spectators?

August 19, 2020 Page 25

Under Phase 5 of the MI Safe Start you can have indoor spectator events limited to 50

people and the outdoor events as well can there be a concession stand offered at these

events? What is required to offer a concession stand?

The executive orders do not specifically prohibit concessions stands at outdoor gatherings.

The concession stand workers at a venue would count toward the total gathering size of 100 people

as specified in Executive Order 2020-110.

A concession stand would be included under the event organizer’s general workplace safeguards as

required by Executive Order 2020-145 or have their own plan and training under EO 2020-145.

A concession stand would follow all applicable requirements for food service facilities specified in

Section 8 of EO 2020-145.

Limit capacity to 50% of normal seating.

Require six feet of separation between parties or groups at different tables or bar tops (e.g.,

spread tables out, use every other table, remove or put up chairs or barstools that are not in

use).

Require patrons to wear a face covering except when seated at their table or bar top (unless the

patron is unable medically to tolerate a face covering).

Require patrons to remain seated at their tables or bar tops, except to enter or exit the

premises, to order food, or to use the restroom.

Prohibit access to common areas in which people can congregate, dance, or otherwise mingle.

Create communications material for customers (e.g., signs, pamphlets) to inform them of

changes to restaurant or bar practices and to explain the precautions that are being taken to

prevent infection.

Close self-serve food or drink options, such as buffets, salad bars, and drink stations.

Provide physical guides, such as tape on floors or sidewalks and signage on walls to ensure that

customers remain at least six feet apart in any lines.

Post sign(s) at store entrance(s) informing customers not to enter if they are or have recently

been sick.

Post sign(s) instructing customers to wear face coverings until they get to their table.

Require cashiers, hosts, servers, and staff to wear face coverings in the dining area.

Require employees to wear face coverings and gloves in the kitchen area when handling food,

consistent with guidelines from the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”).

Limit shared items for customers (e.g., condiments, menus) and clean high-contact areas after

each customer (e.g., tables, chairs, menus, payment tools)

Train employees on:

o Appropriate use of personal protective equipment in conjunction with food safety

guidelines.

o Food safety health protocols (e.g., cleaning between customers, especially shared

condiments).

o How to manage symptomatic customers upon entry or in the restaurant.

August 19, 2020 Page 26

Notify employees if the employer learns that an individual (including an employee, customer, or

supplier) with a confirmed case of COVID-19 has visited the store.

Close restaurant immediately if an employee shows symptoms of COVID-19, defined as either

the new onset of cough or new onset of chest tightness or two of the following: fever (measured

or subjective), chills, rigors, myalgia, headache, sore throat, or olfactory/taste disorder(s), and

perform a deep clean, consistent with guidance from the FDA and the CDC. Such cleaning may

occur overnight.

Install physical barriers, such as sneeze guards and partitions at cash registers, bars, host stands,

and other areas where maintaining physical distance of six feet is difficult.

To the maximum extent possible, limit the number of employees in shared spaces, including

kitchens, host stands, break rooms, and offices, to maintain at least a six-foot distance between

employees.

The event organizer and/or concession stand operator would be responsible for controlling social

distancing around the concession stand and at points of congestion.

Executive Order 2020-153 would also be applicable if patrons were allowed to return to their seats

with food. Seating would be required to allow for a minimum of 6 feet of social distance from

members not of the same household. Patrons would be required to wear a mask anytime not

seated.

Q 10.D: Are there any clarification on the use of vending machines in any of the MI Safe Start

Phases?

Prevent crowding, promote physical distancing, and clean frequently.

Q 10.F: What are the return to school protocols? See the Michigan Safe Schools: Michigan’s 2020-21 Return to School Roadmap for guidance.

Q 10.H: Enforcement for non-compliance? Schools should be incorporating enforcement policies into their plans.

12. Daily Activities & Mental Health

Q 11.A: What is your recommendation regarding Band, Choir and PE classes during this

pandemic?

Any guidance on music classes (choir, band, elementary general music)

Guidance regarding these activities can be found at

August 19, 2020 Page 27

MI Safe Schools page 26: limited to 50 students and facial coverings.

See Performing Arts Resources https://www.nfhs.org/articles/performing-arts-covid-19-resources/

Fall 2020 Guidance for Music Education https://www.nfhs.org/media/3812373/nafme_nfhs-

guidance-for-fall-2020-review-june-19-2020-final.pdf

Q 11.B: Any guidance on recess procedures? Limits of students, use of equipment, etc

Guidance can be found in the Roadmap page 26-

● Recess should be conducted outside whenever possible with appropriate social

distancing and cohorting of students.

● If more than one class is outside, students should wear facial coverings.

Q 11.C: Any guidance on buses?

See MI Safe Schools - page 28

● Face masks for all staff and students on the bus (All k-12 students if medically feasible)

● Hand sanitizer entering and exiting the bus,

● Frequent cleaning of high frequency areas,

● Cleaning bus required prior to start and following the conclusion of bus runs,

● Cleaning of equipment (wheelchairs, walkers) transported on bus daily.

Additionally, consider a seating chart and requirement for students to sit with members of their

own household to the extent possible.

Q 11.D: When will be able to resume using the weight-lifting and equipment?

Phase 5 allows for use of weight-lifting and other equipment but with safety protocols, such

as cleaning and social distancing in place.

Q 11.E: What protocols do we need to follow if employees travel either domestically or

internationally by airplane?

How do we address staff out of state travel?

International travel currently requires 14 day quarantine upon return to the United States.

Domestic travel by any means: there are currently no restrictions on anyone entering Michigan from

any other state. Staff should consider their risk level based on the area they traveled and activities

they participated in to guide their determination of appropriate actions upon return.

Q 11.F: Textbooks and materials coming back and forth to the school; is that safe?

It is not ideal or recommended. If this must happen, have kids wipe them down with disinfectant as

soon as they get to school.

Q 11.G: What is this stress going to do to our staff? How does it affect their health and well-

being? How does it affect their ability to do their job? How does it affect the quality of

August 19, 2020 Page 28

education and other important work they are able to provide? What is it going to do to

our kids? What are the long-term effects of consistently being stressed out?

The mental toll of all of this is a concern for everyone. This concern is the reason for all the

recommendations in the Mental & Social-Emotional Health section of the roadmap. Encourage your

staff to use your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and State of Michigan Resources at

Michigan.gov/StayWell.

Q 11.H: How will it affect students and staff if the first staff member in their school dies from

this? The first parent of a student who brought it home dies from this? Sadly, the first kid dies

from this?

As long as there are cases of COVID-19 in the community, there will be no way to prevent all risks of

COVID-19 spread in schools. The goal is to keep the risk as low as possible and keep school and

school activities as safe as possible. We are seeing the highest rates of suicides in almost 60 years,

increases in domestic and child abuse, loss of education, and other negative consequence during

these difficult times. Encourage staff to use your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and State of

Michigan Resources at Michigan.gov/StayWell.

13. Cleaning & Sanitizing

Q 12.A: What is the bleach-water ratio to make disinfectant and do products like Clorox wipes

fulfill that ratio?

Bleach is not necessary to disinfect for COVID-19 prevention. Any of the products listed on EPA’s List

N (https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2-covid-19)

are effective against the virus that causes COVID-19.

Diluted household bleach solutions may also be used if appropriate for the surface.

Check the label to see if your bleach is intended for disinfection and has a sodium hypochlorite

concentration of 5%–6%. Ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Some bleaches, such as

those designed for safe use on colored clothing or for whitening may not be suitable for disinfection.

Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.

Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Never mix household

bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Leave solution on the surface for at least 1 minute.

To make a bleach solution, mix:

5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of room temperature water

OR

4 teaspoons bleach per quart of room temperature water

August 19, 2020 Page 29

Bleach solutions will be effective for disinfection up to 24 hours.

Alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol may also be used.

If the surface is going to be in direct contact with food, ensure a food-grade cleaner and disinfectant

is used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, which may include a rinse after use.

Q 12.B: Is there a recommendation for sanitizing playground equipment?

No, but they should be cleaned routinely The CDC states at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-

ncov/community/disinfecting-building-facility.html:

“Cleaning and disinfecting outdoor areas

Outdoor areas, like playgrounds in schools and parks generally require normal routine cleaning, but do not require disinfection.

o Do not spray disinfectant on outdoor playgrounds- it is not an efficient use of supplies and is not proven to reduce risk of COVID-19 to the public.

o Frequently touched surfaces made of plastic or metal, such as grab bars and railings should be cleaned routinely.

o Cleaning and disinfection of wooden surfaces (play structures, benches, tables) or groundcovers (mulch, sand) are not recommended.

Sidewalks and roads should not be disinfected. o Spread of COVID-19 from these surfaces is very low and disinfection is not effective.”

Ensure hand washing is performed by all students and staff after touching playground equipment or

other play materials.

Q 12.C: We have a lot of questions about what we can and cannot do in schools. For instance,

are we able to use a UVC light for disinfecting classrooms rather than using disinfectant?

Recommend reading https://schools.forhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2020/06/Harvard-

Healthy-Buildings-Program-Schools-For-Health-Reopening-Covid19-June2020.pdf as well as

https://www.ashrae.org/file%20library/technical%20resources/covid-19/ashrae-reopening-

schools.pdf

“Potential issues with UVGI in schools include cost, maintenance, and potential health concerns of

inadvertent UV exposures. In general, UVGI should be further discussed with an expert before

consideration for use in a school." It may be of use in airducts but not a replacement to cleaning and

disinfectants.

Q 12.D: The roadmap speaks of using an EPA registered cleaner or bleach solution. Our

regular product is on the D List of antimicrobial products effective against

bloodborne/body fluid pathogens, but not the N list. Our product is EPA registered

effective against enveloped viruses, which I understand SARS-CoV-2 is. Are we able to use

this as our cleaning product?

August 19, 2020 Page 30

Look at the product's label to confirm is registered by the EPA and that it lists human coronavirus as

a target pathogen. If it has those two things, continue using it. Be sure to follow the use instructions

on the label to ensure it works. Only products listed on EPA’s list N are known to be effective against

SARS-CoV-2. Here is EPA’s List N webpage: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-

disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2-covid-19 . People can search for products using an EPA

registration number. Instructions on how to search are at the top of the webpage. There is also

information on products provided at the top and in the list.

Per the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): When possible, only products labeled as safe for

humans and the environment (e.g., Safer or Designed for the Environment), containing active

ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide, ethanol, citric acid, should be selected from this list,

because they are less toxic, are not strong respiratory irritants or asthma triggers, and have no

known carcinogenic, reproductive, or developmental effects.

August 19, 2020 Page 31

Appendix A: Other Useful References

Drinking fountains:

Harvard School of Public Health: 2020. SCHOOLS FOR HEALTH Risk Reduction Strategies for Reopening

Schools https://schools.forhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2020/06/Harvard-Healthy-

Buildings-Program-Schools-For-Health-Reopening-Covid19-June2020.pdf

Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Department of Public Health. 2020 Starting the 2020-21

School Year https://www.isbe.net/Documents/Part-3-Transition-Planning-Phase-4.pdf

American Academy of Pediatrics. 2020 COVID-19 planning considerations: Guidance or School re-entry.

https://services.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/clinical-guidance/covid-

19-planning-considerations-return-to-in-person-education-in-schools/

Michigan Executive Orders and State Plans

EO 2020-142

https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/MIEOG/2020/06/30/file_attachments/1485859/EO%202

020-142.pdf

MI Safe Start map https://www.mistartmap.info/

Other:

SPECIAL COVID-19 REPORT: RISK REDUCTION STRATEGIES FOR REOPENING SCHOOLS

https://schools.forhealth.org/

Wei, J., & Li, Y. (2016). Airborne spread of infectious agents in the indoor environment. American journal

of infection control, 44(9), S102-S108.

COVID-19 Outbreak Associated with Air Conditioning in Restaurant, Guangzhou, China, 2020.

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/7/20-0764-f1