Much has changed since March 12, 2020, when an email went out to parents in Brookline telling them that public schools were about to close for two weeks.
Now students who test positive for COVID-19 are required to self-isolate for five days, according to Student Health Services Coordinator Tricia Laham.
If their symptoms improve and students are fever-free without fever-reducing drugs, students may return to school if they are masked for five days. A student who tests negative on day six or after is no longer required to mask.
Town Director of Public Health Sigalle Reiss says there is no longer a required quarantine period if students are exposed to someone with COVID-19, but they should still continue to be cautious about handwashing, and taking over-the-counter tests as needed.
The Brookline Health Department and the Public Schools of Brookline (PSB) have worked together in providing enhanced ventilation to classrooms. They also established a list of COVID-19 symptoms that require students to stay home, including fever, a sore throat, nausea or vomiting shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, and a new loss of taste or smell.
The Health Department has strongly recommended that all PSB faculty, staff, and students receive COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters.
Although PSB will not be providing tests for COVID-19 anymore, at-home tests are available online or in stores. PSB recommends reviewing the FDA’s website for a list of authorized tests.
“We want to remind everyone there’s still a lot of things we can do,” Reiss said. “[Brookline] is a community very interested in public health. The community has overall responded well, very receptive to understanding the conditions and what precautions we should all take… We need to continue thinking reasonably and responsibly.”