Required TB test for parent volunteers at schools -- stupid or sensible?

[Dan Druff]

I received this e-mail from a PFA Radio listener:

Hi Druff,

Would like you to settle an argument I had with a friend. I am a volunteer in my son's elementary school classroom. I spend 30 minutes there every 2 weeks during a lab, so my exposure to the kids is obviously minimal.

I was very surprised that they wouldn't let me do this until I either took a tuberculosis test, or had my doctor sign off that I wasn't at risk for TB. I had to see the doctor at my own trouble and expense in order to do this. They would not budge and forced me to do this if I wanted to volunteer, so I sucked it up and wasted 2 hours going to the doctor, waiting, and seeing him, just to get that dumb paper signed that I'm not a risk. Also cost me $40 copay.

I was telling my friend that TB is very rare so this is stupid. My friend lectured me that a single doctor's visit is a small price to pay to keep our kids safe from such a disease, and he called me selfish. What do you think?

Here is my take on it:

There were 9,025 new TB cases in 2018. This means that roughly 1 in 36,000 people in the US will get TB each year. Obviously quite rare! To put this in context, even if there are 100 parent volunteers in your school, one of those volunteers would be infected with TB approximately once every 360 years! Even if this fluke occurred, the number would be far less than once every 360 years, because those affected with contagious ("active") TB would have symptoms, and would likely not expose themselves to the children.

And even if you want to take a "better safe than sorry" approach, the problem is that these kids will be exposed to TONS of adults outside of school, none of whom will have taken TB tests. So unless you want to isolate your kids from all adults outside of school (which is obviously impossible), this TB test is virtually useless.

The school is just covering their ass legally, and placing the burden upon you.

Do you guys agree with me?

[MumblesBadly]

The TB test is super easy and quick to take. Being safe is better.

[ErickAA]

Also, in So Cal specifically due to the high number of homeless people and un-vaccinated illegal immigrants all the medieval diseases are making a comeback.

Although the media likes to spin their false narrative that it is due to anti-vaxxer parents. I love it when the local media makes a big deal about some disease outbreak, blames it on anti-vaxxers, but if you actually dig deep it is normally immigrants from 3rd world countries bringing the disease with them.

[Avon Barksdale]

Also, in So Cal specifically due to the high number of homeless people and un-vaccinated illegal immigrants all the medieval diseases are making a comeback.

Although the media likes to spin their false narrative that it is due to anti-vaxxer parents. I love it when the local media makes a big deal about some disease outbreak, blames it on anti-vaxxers, but if you actually dig deep it is normally immigrants from 3rd world countries bringing the disease with them.

Not to get too off topic, but California is a fucking mess right now, and spiraling out of control quickly.

I just heard today that this is the 7th year in a row more people have moved out of California than in.

Your state government has really failed you. Sad.

Was such a beautiful place. They really do need to break it up into 5 smaller states and start over.

[OSA]

Bro, stop being a nudnik and just do what they ask of you Todd.

Jesus Fucking Christ.

[Dan Druff]

Bro, stop being a nudnik and just do what they ask of you Todd.

Jesus Fucking Christ.

This isn't about me.

However, I'm wondering what you (and the other 3 people who voted yes) believe is gained by a TB test.

- 1 in 36,000 people get TB. Extremely rare.

- The symptoms are obvious when it's contagious, so any sensible parent would stay away anyway (plus school staff would notice the sick parent and send them home immediately).

- The kids will encounter a shitload of people outside of school who aren't TB tested, so why bother testing a single parent who barely sees them? It is impossible to raise a kid without massive exposure to non-TB-tested people, unless you never let them leave the house.

I'm surprised someone like you, who tries to find an angle with everything, is advocating the "be a mindless sheep" approach.

Not that the parent here has much choice, but I agree that the school is being ridiculous.

[Baron Von Strucker]

Pretty bad disease and you can be walking around for a while before feeling sick, a small portion of people who have small amount of contact will contract the illness. Meaning you could get it and your immune system could fight it off successfully.
Generally the people who get Tb are not the kind who are volunteers at school.

[ErickAA]

Also, in So Cal specifically due to the high number of homeless people and un-vaccinated illegal immigrants all the medieval diseases are making a comeback.

Although the media likes to spin their false narrative that it is due to anti-vaxxer parents. I love it when the local media makes a big deal about some disease outbreak, blames it on anti-vaxxers, but if you actually dig deep it is normally immigrants from 3rd world countries bringing the disease with them.

Not to get too off topic, but California is a fucking mess right now, and spiraling out of control quickly.

I just heard today that this is the 7th year in a row more non homeless natural born residents (code for whites people) people have moved out of California than in.

Your state government has really failed you. Sad.

Was such a beautiful place. They really do need to break it up into 5 smaller states and start over.

The population of California definitely isn’t shrinking. Whatever number you are using is way under estimating the number of recent migrants and homeless. California is basically becoming a 3rd world country. Rich elites in guarded communities surrounded by the poor masses with the middle class being squeezed out. It is what it is.

[Sanlmar]

Not to get too off topic, but California is a fucking mess right now, and spiraling out of control quickly.

I just heard today that this is the 7th year in a row more non homeless natural born residents (code for whites people) people have moved out of California than in.

Your state government has really failed you. Sad.

Was such a beautiful place. They really do need to break it up into 5 smaller states and start over.

The population of California definitely isn’t shrinking. Whatever number you are using is way under estimating the number of recent migrants and homeless. California is basically becoming a 3rd world country. Rich elites in guarded communities surrounded by the poor masses with the middle class being squeezed out. It is what it is.

Enjoying this so much.

I lack the capacity to imagine what public school education is like in SoCal.

I could start with the pronouns lesson. Jesus.


Lol, Verm’s medievil diseases retro comeback. Look, more care should be taken with those that are teaching the kids.... not less.

Why only TB? The whole board should be run but at the employer (taxpayer) expense like is done for preemployment drug screening. Hell, do drug screening too. Just identify the clinic the prospect should go to.

There is never too much caution when it comes to your kids. Only Druff’s kid is at WSOP. I don’t know where Druff got his numbers. They are prolly national and SoCal is its own Petri dish.

My initial response was my own experience coaching kids and needing to get CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) screened. The sex offender number is prolly pretty small but be safe.

Verm just created a new image of LA as Costa Rica. Gated communities and the lawless infected rabble outside the gates. Lulz

[Dan Druff]

The TB test is super easy and quick to take. Being safe is better.

Nothing is "super easy" if it involves seeing a doctor. It means driving to an appointment, waiting, seeing the doctor, and driving back. Plus forking over the co-pay.

This is unnecessary and a perfect example of burdensome precaution with zero gain from it.

[MrTickle]

The TB test is super easy and quick to take. Being safe is better.

Nothing is "super easy" if it involves seeing a doctor. It means driving to an appointment, waiting, seeing the doctor, and driving back. Plus forking over the co-pay.

This is unnecessary and a perfect example of burdensome precaution with zero gain from it.

Have you heard that some countries have a medical system in which it’s completely free at the point of use? You could get tested for nothing!