Why is Moffitt no longer checking temperature as part of the screening process

Most experts have concluded that the value of performing temperature checks is limited for several reasons:

• Studies have found that up to 2/3 of infected people have no symptoms, so checking their temperature won’t identify them.
• Normal body temperature varies from person to person, making it difficult to determine the threshold for fever in all individuals.
• Fever can be masked by taking fever-reducing medication.
• Accuracy of the thermometers depends on exact use and calibration. The measurement can also be affected by outside influences such as humidity and sweat on skin.
• Temperature checks can give a false sense of reassurance that a person is safe, free from infection and free from being around anyone that is infectious.