The way that the MN decision tree is currently written is not only confusing and impractical for families, but also adds extra administrative burdens onto the schools.  Currently, the MN decision tree forces children that experience two symptoms such as cough and runny nose (typical symptoms of a common cold and allergies) must stay home with their whole family unit.  The family unit would stay home for 14 days or until they have a negative covid test.  The MN decision tree essentially forces parents into getting their children a covid test for every symptom. If testing for these mild symptoms is not substantiated to reduce transmission then the harm it causes young children outweighs the unproven benefit.  Flu tests are not forced on families, and Covid tests should not be either.  

The American Academy of Pediatrics "strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school." The constant back and forth of students being in and out of school because of testing or quarantining for every symptom will jeopardize our kids' education and ability to participate in the activities.  Parents should keep sick children home, but the whole house should not have to quarantine with every symptom of a sibling.  The CDC even says that testing for children should be prioritized if they show symptoms AND the have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for Covid or they have increased likelihood of exposure to the virus.  The extra testing is only going to propel the state numbers and move the in-person education to distance learning statewide.  

According to a study done on Covid-19 and the Dynamics of Infections in Families published in Pediatrics (the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatric), it was concluded that "the child developed symptoms after or concurrent with adult HHCs, suggesting that the child was not the source of infection and that children most frequently acquire COVID-19 from adults, rather than transmitting it to them."  In addition to this, we have yet to see how the constant back and forth, new routines and protocols and lack of stability will impact the mental health of our children.  

It is the goal of this petition to change the decision tree.  The reasoning for this is because the decision tree is not supported by strong evidence, and the harm that it may inflict on families far outweigh the unproven benefits.  Also, the tree is harmful to young families and children--not only is the testing invasive, parents are forced to  leave their jobs and commitment, and the back and forth of children being in school and being home may prove to have negative impact on mental health in the long term.  In addition to that, other countries are currently making these types of decisions differently with good results.  

With all of this evidence, a common sense approach should be developed to keep children safe and in school.  We are urging administrators to take a hard look and change the decision tree to better accommodate for mild symptoms and take into consideration the studies that are showing that young children are not the source of transmission of Covid 19.