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Dear ND School Board Members:

Amber Vibeto, Minot

On behalf of parents and students across the state, I would like to voice my opposition to the mandatory quarantine policy for students that are considered a “close contact” to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

I understand that schools may be following guidelines set by the CDC, but ND citizens did not at any time vote to give the CDC nor the ND Department of Health the power to deny students the right to a proper education or to deny participation in sports and other extracurricular activities. This policy of quarantining healthy students who might have a virus that the vast majority of people survive is not only unreasonable, but is causing students to miss out on pivotal experiences in their formative years.

This is causing a significant amount of stress and anxiety in our young people.

Furthermore, the anonymous aspect of this policy gives an opportunity for student athletes to eliminate the competition by simply naming a fellow competitor as a close contact.

We ask that you discontinue the policy of mandatory masks. If that cannot be granted at this time, then we acknowledge that you believe masks work to prevent the spread of COVID–19, and therefore we can assume that the students who were merely in contact with someone who tested positive have no need to quarantine and are safe to continue school and sports.

The consequences of these policies are significantly negative to students and their parents. We understand that the sole focus of the CDC is to prevent disease, but to be mentally, emotionally, and physically well, the general population cannot live focused on a single risk factor out of the many that we face each and every day.

North Dakotans place a high value on freedom, liberty, and personal responsibility, and our policies should reflect that. We strongly ask that you push back on these excessive guidelines on behalf of our students.

Thank you for your service to your community by advocating for students and the school district. Your leadership is greatly appreciated.

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