School and COVID (Fall 2023)

COVID is not longer a big problem for us.

• Agree

• unsure

• Disagree

Answer explanation

Well, yes and no. Vaccines have helped a lot.

However, some people can still get very sick from the virus. Some people I know have been sick for 2 weeks or more! That's a lot of school/ work to miss.

There is also the possibility of getting Long COVID - when symptoms last for months or keep returning.

If I wake up with a bad headache, I should stay home.

• Agree

• unsure

• Disagree

Answer explanation

If you do the screening, you will see that you should stay home with a new headache. It can be a symptom of COVID.

If you know your headache is from something different (not eating, not sleeping, hormonal changes, chronic migraines), than you can probably come to school.

When someone I live with tests positive for COVID, I need to stay home too.

• Agree

• unsure

• Disagree

Answer explanation

You can come to school. :)

BUT, it is a good idea to wear a mask in class for 10 days to help keep your classmates and teachers safe.

You also need to watch for symptoms. If you start feeling unwell, you need to stay home until your symptoms begin to improve.

As soon as I start to feel better, I can come back to school.

• Agree

• unsure

• Disagree

Answer explanation

True.

BUT, you need to be feeling better for 24 hours.

If you had any nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, these symptoms must be gone for 48 hours before coming back to school.

I must complete the online COVID screening tool everyday before school.

• Agree

• unsure

• Disagree

Answer explanation

Yes you do! All staff and students should complete the screening every morning.

If you have children in school/daycare, they need to be screened as well.

After testing negative for COVID, I need to wear a mask when I go back to school.

• Agree

• unsure

• Disagree

Answer explanation

If you were sick, or live with someone who is sick, it is still important to wear a mask in public places.

Even if you test negative for COVID, you can help keep your classmates and teachers well by wearing a mask in class.

I know where to find the daily online School COVID Screening Tool.

• Agree

• unsure

• Disagree

Answer explanation

The OCDSB has been sending reminders to students (check you school email) to do this screening. A link to the tool is in this email.

You can also find it on the OCDSB website. Go to the COVID Page and click on the picture of the little girl and her mother that is on the right-hand side of the screen.

Everyone must have the COVID vaccine in order to attended school.

• Agree

• unsure

• Disagree

Answer explanation

Actually no. The OCDSB has changed the rule this year, so students and staff are not required to be vaccinated for COVID.

However, your immune response fades over time. It can also happen when the virus that causes COVID-19 changes so the immune system doesn’t recognize it as well. Research suggests that getting a booster dose can decrease your risk of infection and severe illness with COVID-19.