By Isabella Montenegro
Opinion Editor
The health screening program RUVNA does not accurately represent the health of Costa students. Self-filled health screening checks do not consistently show correct data due to honesty and accuracy. This makes it difficult to hold people accountable. The daily RUVNA questionnaire for Costa students is unnecessary and time-wasting as it has a high potential to show false information.
As the new fully in-person school year has begun, health screenings have become required for students to enter school each day. RUVNA is the screening platform used by Costa to ensure that no student entering school is showing signs of COVID-19, which is proved by completing a short assessment. As new COVID-19 cases have been confirmed from students and staff on campus, there are rising concerns whether this required questionnaire is showing false information of students’ health.
Most students and parents have figured out the not-so-secret rhythm to this screening assessment. The questions consist of the child’s health. By simply clicking “No” on each question on the survey, students will receive a green screen with a QR code that will approve them to enter campus that day. If those who are filling out the survey select “No” on each question without actually reading the question, or even lie about one’s answer, the screening becomes illogical and a waste.
Taking the time to scan a QR code every morning before being let into school has become an issue for many students. Based on UNC Health Talk, it is important that if there are large gatherings such as attending school with a variety of people, that there be social distancing to slow down the spread of the virus. Since every students’ phone must be scanned, students end up crowding together too closely for a long period of time, encouraging viral spread. Very few staff is present to scan QR codes at the designated enteries for each grade. Scanning each phone becomes time consuming as hundreds of students arrive to school at the same time, resulting in many students having to rush across campus so they will not be late for first period. This is unfair to the parents and students at Costa as they have to accommodate for something that is not even serving its proper purpose.
Though it can be easy to forget, these screenings do have a purpose, and if used properly, they can help slow the spread of the virus. The MBUSD administration believes the platform is necessary since it accounts for all students,and helps with contract tracing. While this may be true, the concern of holding parents and students accountable is an issue at large. Therefore, until there is a more honest and correct way to assess the health of students, the RUVNA questionnaire should be disregarded. By doing this, students will not have to stress each day about making sure they arrive early enough to scan and get to class on time. RUVNA is a waste of time for staff and students, as these assessments have a great possibility of being inaccurate, and leave students waiting in long lines.
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