Corona/Covid positive

[Jeepman]

So what happens if a new student/plebe is supposed to report next week and is diagnosed with covid/corona this week? Do they potentially get thier start date pushed back a year or are they sent off to the prep school?

 

[MullenLE]

The applicant...say again....THE APPLICANT.....should notify me immediately and we'll see. Lawrence.e.mullen.civ@mail.mil. Complete name and last 4 and the specific circumstances?

 

[Kierkegaard]

It’s a good question. Academy leadership is approaching Plebe Summer with extreme caution and seeks to avoid a significant covid outbreak in the 4/C Regiment. The purpose of the 2 week ROM (quarantine) is so that any incoming Plebe who might have covid can hopefully kick it before training begins. You will be tested for the virus both at the beginning and at the end of the ROM period. With 1200 people traveling from across the country (and the World if we’re still inducting internationals), it is likely that at least somebody will have it, whether or not they’re aware (Remember half of cases asymptomatic according to health authorities). I can’t see them sending plebes home if they test positive for covid after spending days at the Academy, but it might be a different story if you test positive for covid at home before induction. It has been said that in the past if a medical issue comes up before I-Day the candidate is given an LOA for the next admissions cycle. I could definitely see that happening. Just my opinion obviously, I am by no means an official source.

 

[MullenLE]

I am the official source and will await the applicant's email for the details, as it pertains to THIS applicant and what should be done.

 

[A1Janitor]

I am the official source and will await the applicant's email for the details, as it pertains to THIS applicant and what should be done.

I hope you help them as well as you have helped so many ... including my DS.

I also hope the answer gets posted here too. Good topic.

 

[MullenLE]

I'm avoiding posting the policy right now, because I don't won't folks to misinterpret. I'd rather get the specifics as it pertains to an applicants, to ensure they get the gouge as it ACTUALLY pertains to THEIR case. Otherwise, some folks will draw generalizations that don't actually apply...if that makes sense.

 

[Kierkegaard]

Is there a particular policy that’s been released other than the standard DoD Instruction 6130.03? In that it states:

“It is DoD Policy to...

c. Ensure that individuals considered for appointment, enlistment, or induction into the Military Services are:

(1) Free of contagious diseases that may endanger the health of other personnel.”

The USNA Admissions page says “Based on what is currently known, the vast majority of young people recover without medical issues. In this context, there are no plans to deny admission to individuals who are diagnosed with COVID-19 and recover.”

Based on all that it sounds like if a future Plebe has covid but recovers, they’re fine, but if they currently have it, they could be denied appointment. I’m bringing this up because it sounds like OP’s question is a hypothetical, but certainly if somebody has concerns about their specific case they should call DODMERB directly. With the testing infrastructure in this country still lagging, it seems unlikely that any candidate would be tested in the first place unless they’re exhibiting severe symptoms or had close contact with someone who did, in which case their health is far more important than maintaining medical eligibility for an academy.

 

[A1Janitor]

Is there a particular policy that’s been released other than the standard DoD Instruction 6130.03? In that it states:

“It is DoD Policy to...

c. Ensure that individuals considered for appointment, enlistment, or induction into the Military Services are:

(1) Free of contagious diseases that may endanger the health of other personnel.”

The USNA Admissions page says “Based on what is currently known, the vast majority of young people recover without medical issues. In this context, there are no plans to deny admission to individuals who are diagnosed with COVID-19 and recover.”

Based on all that it sounds like if a future Plebe has covid but recovers, they’re fine, but if they currently have it, they could be denied appointment. I’m bringing this up because it sounds like OP’s question is a hypothetical, but certainly if somebody has concerns about their specific case they should call DODMERB directly. With the testing infrastructure in this country still lagging, it seems unlikely that any candidate would be tested in the first place unless they’re exhibiting severe symptoms or had close contact with someone who did, in which case their health is far more important than maintaining medical eligibility for an academy.

My son went back Saturday. They tested him and put him in quarantine. It is my understanding that they will be testing the incoming plebes as well. Maybe I read it wrong.

I am not sure the testing infrastructure is lagging anymore.

 

[MullenLE]

Q = Is there a particular policy that’s been released other than the standard DoD Instruction 6130.03? In that it states:

A =

1. Yes. There is a technical change.
2. "I'm avoiding posting the policy right now, because I don't won't folks to misinterpret. I'd rather get the specifics as it pertains to an applicants, to ensure they get the gouge as it ACTUALLY pertains to THEIR case. Otherwise, some folks will draw generalizations that don't actually apply...if that makes sense. "
3. This is correct= " The USNA Admissions page says “Based on what is currently known, the vast majority of young people recover without medical issues. In this context, there are no plans to deny admission to individuals who are diagnosed with COVID-19 and recover.”
4. Anyone on the Forums that has a question, should contact me directly, so they get the right answer that applies to them specifically

 

[Kierkegaard]

My son went back Saturday. They tested him and put him in quarantine. It is my understanding that they will be testing the incoming plebes as well. Maybe I read it wrong.

I am not sure the testing infrastructure is lagging anymore.

That’s correct, every mid is getting tested when they report to the Yard, including the incoming Plebes. Everybody is quarantining for 2 weeks as well regardless of test results. Testing capability seems to vary by state, it’s definitely better across the country now than it was a couple of months ago which is good. For the tests USNA is administering, they are using kits from Walter Reed over in Bethesda.

 

[justdoit19]

I was on a town hall with Dant speaking to this, he also added that the results for the tests wouldn't be available for a couple of days. So regarding incoming plebes, they won't be turned back based upon a positive test as they won't even have results. And that they will be managed through BMU, Anne Arundel, and Walter Reed (if necessary).

 

[lovetheheat]

So will USNA just test for current status of the virus, or will they do any antibody testing to see if plebe has already had it? I would think that would be valuable info in evaluating the class. I would bet that quite a few have had it, but didn't even know it.