An apparent Covid-19 case in the Wahzhazhe Early Learning Academy prompted officials to send home letters Wednesday advising parents in Pawhuska of a new Osage Nation policy: That unvaccinated children who are exposed to the virus can continue to come to school as long as they don’t have any symptoms. 

The WELA letter said that if an exposed child becomes symptomatic, the child should stay home and should test negative for the virus before returning to class.

Parents were also informed they had the option to keep their child at home for five days then return the child to school on Day 6 if negative for the virus.

The letter caused some consternation because WELA is open to children ages 6 weeks to five years, a population that is not eligible to be vaccinated.

The Centers for Disease Control issued new guidelines late last month for quarantining those exposed to Covid. While the new guidelines say that fully vaccinated people who are exposed do not have to quarantine (unless they have symptoms), the CDC directs unvaccinated people to “Stay home and quarantine for at least 5 full days,” and to “wear a well-fitted mask if you must be around others in your home.”

The federal agency further advises that people should continue taking precautions through Day 10 after exposure by wearing a mask, avoiding travel and avoiding being around people who are at high risk, such as the elderly, and those with suppressed immune systems.

The Osage News sent an email Thursday morning to the communications director, chief of staff and director of operations asking about the policy, the number of cases in WELA and the vaccination status of WELA staffers, but received no reply by the close of business.