In change, D.C. to now opt all public school students into asymptomatic testing program

The District announced Friday that all public school students would automatically be put into its asymptomatic coronavirus testing program — a reversal from its long-standing position that parents must consent to testing.

The city aims to test between 10 to 20 percent of students at every school weekly to provide a snapshot of the infection rate, raising red flags if the figure is higher than the neighborhood that surrounds it.

Parents can submit a form to opt out of the saliva-based tests.

The change takes effect Monday, the first day of classes for D.C. Public Schools.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/dc-school-covid-tests-opt-out/2021/08/27/e8ec1aa0-0757-11ec-a266-7c7fe02fa374_story.html