Health privacy added concern for Wake teachers preparing to return to classes in pandemic

The form is required only if a teacher is seeking special accommodations to reduce their risk of being infected with coronavirus while at school, such as enhanced protective gear or social distancing, additional cleaning, a change in job responsibilities or a modified work schedule.

Teachers fear they may not be ready for school this fall

It spells out the groups the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers to be high-risk for contracting COVID-19, including health conditions such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and kidney or liver disease.

O’Connor said he fears teachers who actually have health conditions won't report them out of fear of losing their jobs in the future.

"But then it’s a double-edged sword because, if I don’t say [anything] and I get sick, they can say, 'Well, you didn’t tell us, and we could have helped you,'" he said.

Many questions, few answers as Wake parents, teachers plan for part-time return to the classroom

School district spokeswoman Lisa Luten said the form is optional and doesn't need to be completed unless a teacher wants an accommodation during the pandemic.

The North Carolina Association of Educators has received several calls from teachers asking about the form, officials said, and the group is walking them through the process.