OBION COUNTY SCHOOLS TO REQUIRE MASKS WHEN SOCIAL DISTANCING NOT POSSIBLE, OR WHEN INSTRUCTED

(Editor's Note: the following information has been posted on the website for Obion County Schools, from Director of Schools Tim Watkins)

Dear Obion County Schools Students, Parents and Staff,

We are doing everything in our power to ensure the safest environment possible while

continually providing education to our students, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. One

of our top priorities is protecting students, families, and staff, so our school district is following

strict guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Tennessee

Department of Health for the management of individuals diagnosed with, or exposed to, COVID19.

Effective Monday August 10th, Obion County Schools will require that all students and staff

wear a mask in situations that social distancing is not possible or when instructed to by school

staff or administration.

When we are notified of an individual who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 having been

present in a school we, along with our local health department, will immediately began an

investigation to determine who may have been in close contact (within six feet for at least 10

minutes) with that individual. All who have been identified as close contacts will be notified and

instructed to quarantine at home for 14 days from their last contact with that individual.

Quarantined individuals are not allowed to return to school until the quarantine period has

elapsed.

Individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 are to self-isolate at home for ten days from the onset of

their symptoms. The individual must be fever-free for 24 hours and have improving symptoms

before leaving isolation and returning to school.

While COVID-19 does not cause illness in every person who becomes infected, it is highly

contagious.

If we work together with students, parents, staff, and the Tennessee Department of

Health, we can avoid closing our schools.

Contact your or your child's medical provider for guidance if you or your child develops any of

the COVID-19 symptoms. Common symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath,

diarrhea, abdominal pain, and loss of smell or taste.

It is not necessary to obtain a COVID-19 test unless you or your child develops symptoms of COVID-19.

If you have questions about this information, please contact your medical provider, your school,

or your local health department.

We are asking everyone to self-monitor themselves and their children before school daily for

fever and other symptoms. If you or your child exhibits symptoms, please stay home and contact

the school and your medical provider. Willingness to share information with the school will help

us control the spread.

Sincerely,

Tim Watkins, Director of Schools, Obion County Schools