What distancing is required? 
The California Department of Public Health guidelines for schools require schools to “[m]aximize space between seating and desks. Distance teacher and other staff desks at least six feet away from student desks. Consider ways to establish separation of students through other means if practicable, such as, six feet between desks, where practicable, partitions between desks, markings on classroom floors to promote distancing or arranging desks in a way that minimizes face-to-face contact.” 


Placer County Public Health has not imposed additional requirements for schools beyond the CDPH requirements. From the perspective of virus transmission, increasing distance between students reduces the risk of transmitting the virus through respiratory droplets. The larger the distance, the lower the risk. 


The American Academy of Pediatrics has indicated, “In many school settings, 6 feet between students is not feasible without drastically limiting the number of students. Some countries have been able to successfully reopen schools after first controlling community-wide spread of SARS-CoV-2 while using 3 feet of distance between students without increases in community spread. Physical distance between desks should follow current public health guidance. In the absence of specific guidance, desks should be placed at least 3 feet apart, and ideally 6 feet apart. If desks are spaced less than 6 feet apart, face coverings should be strongly encouraged and adhere to public health guidance. In many jurisdictions, face coverings are mandatory for children in public settings, including schools. Schools should weigh the benefits of strict adherence to a 6-feet spacing rule between students with the potential downside if remote learning is the only alternative.” 

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1. If a student is symptomatic and is sent home, but the parent(s) chooses not to test, does the cohort need to quarantine?
2. If a student presents with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 in Scenario 1 but is known to have underlying medical issues (asthma, allergies, etc.), what is the process?
3. What distancing is required? 
4. What outdoor or indoor band activities may be permitted? 
5. Is there any quarantining required for travel? 
6. If a school is not using stable cohorts, how is quarantine determined? 
7. If a symptomatic student tests negative, what factors would still merit consideration as a presumptive positive?
8. For a child in 3rd grade-High School, can they wear a face shield in place of a face mask?
9. Can a school ask the health department for the lab results of family members of students and staff to verify that a student or staff is to quarantine?
10. Does a school need to verify a positive case with the health department first before proceeding with contact tracing?
11. What is the required documentation (and from what source) a student will need to be exempt from wearing a mask on campus?
12. Is the 15 min. exposure cumulative within a 24 hour period (5 min. here, plus 5 min. there) vs. consecutive 15 minutes?
13. Are 'Z Shields' (or other specific shield types) permitted? What about with a doctor's note?
14. If someone is a close contact of someone who has COVID (e.g. in the same class), would the siblings of the close contact still be allowed to attend school?
15. Should asymptomatic school staff re-test and not work if they receive an inconclusive result?
16. What allowances are there for school-related events?
17. What is the guidance regarding student/staff capacity for the use of the gym on rainy days?
18. If a student or staff member already tested positive and recovered from COVID-19 and they are identified as a close contact to another confirmed positive case, do they need to quarantine again?
19. If a school voluntarily 'pauses' in-person instruction after reopening for in-person instruction does this affect their ability to return to in-person instruction?
20. Can a cohort share sports equipment?