The new coronavirus threat to schools: Hoaxes by students

On top of preparing for an epidemic that could shut down schools entirely, Miami-Dade County Public Schools now has another threat looming: Students spreading hoax diagnoses of the coronavirus.

Similar to how school threats spiked after the 2018 Parkland shooting, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho revealed on Wednesday that rumors circulated at a middle school — he didn’t say which one — that a number of students had the virus. It sent the school district and health department into a scramble to determine whether the rumors were a hoax.

“Kids being kids are toying with [something] very dangerous,” Carvalho said. “They’re telling their colleagues or friends, they’re taking to social media or telling parents that there are coronavirus cases at their school.”

Carvalho said there are no confirmed cases in the school district. He also said earlier that he was unaware of any students or school staff being monitored for the virus.

The district’s procedure is to flag the health department if there is a suspected case. Health department officials determine whether it’s true or not, and if false, police get involved.

“There are harsh consequences associated with the disruption of the learning environment,” Carvalho said.

This story was originally published March 4, 2020 at 7:10 PM.