HIGHLANDS COUNTY, Fla. -- A local school district is requiring parents to sign a coronavirus waiver in order for students to take part in after-school activities.
The School Board of Highlands County sent the waiver to parents last week, sparking concern from Angel Jhirad.
"Every single day they go out that door and go to school, I’m going to be scared as a parent," said Jhirad.
The waiver states in part, "I voluntarily assume all risks that I and/or my child may be exposed...as a result of participation in the Activity, and that exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, sickness, and/or death."
"I don’t know what the solution is, but I don’t think they’re going about it the right way," said Jhirad.
SBHC Deputy Superintendent Andrew Lethbridge said the waiver is meant to remind parents and guardians that participation in any activity this fall carries risk.
"In this specific waiver, we were asking for specific actions by the parent as well including monitoring their own child's health, keeping them home if they were not feeling well or if they had been exposed to someone with COVID-19." Lethbridge said.
Dr. Jay Wolfson with USF Health predicts these waivers will become more common as the school year approaches.
"It’s risk management because they’re saying, we want to make sure that we carve out whatever might erupt from this horrible disease that effects kids and their families."
Officials at Pasco County Schools are also requiring parents to sign a COVID-19 waiver before students participate in athletics this fall.
