Bus Driver Offers Students Money for COVID-19 Swabs on the Cheeks

Parents in a Charlotte, North Carolina school district want answers for why a bus driver bribed their kids with money in exchange for COVID-19 swabs on their cheeks. At least ten children who go to Ridge Road Middle School were victimized by the bus driver, who has since been suspended for what he did.

Dynasty Davis and Dajsani Green told their parents that the bus driver gave them $5 for the COVID-19 swabs. Green, an eighth-grade student, wondered why the swab was done on the cheeks and not the nose.

The children were also asked to write their details on a clipboard, but Green scratched her name. She also did not list down her birthday. One of the kids also said that two other people were handing out the $5.

Mom Dawn Thompson said that parents are usually notified when the children have to take a COVID-19 test. There was no such case for this situation. They have no clue what the swabs were for and who has possession of the samples. The swabs done were also typical of a DNA test.

Taking Advantage of the Children

Mom Mone Davis is appalled that the bus driver, whom they trusted to keep the kids safe, took advantage of the minors. Davis and Thompson have filed a report with the police, the transportation department, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

Other parents have also reached out to get answers, prompting the school district to issue a statement confirming that the bus driver has been suspended while an investigation has been underway. The school officials denied any knowledge of the alleged COVID-19 swabs and will not comment on the matter as law enforcement officers have taken on the case.

"The safety and security of our students and staff are important," the school district said in the statement, per WSOCTV. "CMS does not condone any actions that infringe on student privacy."

Warning of Fake COVID-19 Swabs

In early February, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) issued a warning about fake COVID-19 tests involving free screenings or cheek swabs. The agency said that scammers could obtain medical information from their victims for activities like fraudulent billing or identity theft.

DHHS told the public that they should not participate in these free COVID-19 swabs unless with prior arrangements or orders from a doctor. The public is also advised not to give away their Medicare numbers, except to official hospital or clinic staff members.

Scammers are not just targeting kids but also adults and seniors. DHHS said that scammers would sometimes mention the names of the doctors. However, unless they receive the notice or test directly from their physicians, they should never engage with people claiming to be from the clinic or hospital.

FBI Christopher Farrell said that COVID-19 swabs go to a real laboratory, but it's not what the scammers are after. There is a complex scheme involving different people or companies that boils down to health care fraud. Scrupulous individuals are doing this for financial gains and must be reported to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.