“Mom, you won’t believe what happened in class today!” My child announces with the kind of excitement usually reserved for video games and toys. I can’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for the poor classmate who had a rough day. “What happened?” I ask, feigning interest but feeling a knot of anxiety forming in my gut.
“Jake threw up! He was coughing so much, and his sister is home sick with the flu!”
My heart drops, and a wave of frustration washes over me. I respond with a sympathetic, “Oh no! I hope he feels better soon,” while my mind races with the implications of this news. A few hours later, my intuition proves correct: my child is running a fever.
In total, my little one was out of school for 11 days battling the flu. My partner also had to take four unpaid days off work. We isolated our other children to limit exposure, a strategy that thankfully worked, but I was left nursing my own symptoms—swollen glands, fatigue that felt like a weight on my chest, and a cough so intense it left me gasping for breath. Yes, it got that out of hand.
We were fortunate compared to others, but the financial strain was real. We spent hundreds at the doctor’s office for little more than a flu diagnosis and those pesky notes we need for school and work absences.
During our visit, we learned that our town, with a population of about 1,900, had seen over 800 flu cases last week alone. This week, over 500 were already reported. It turns out, someone decided to show up to a sports event sick, spreading their germs to teammates and families, who then unknowingly carried the virus back to schools and workplaces.
Let me be clear: if you or your child is sick, please stay home. I understand that life can be complicated, but choosing to send a sick child to school is not just irresponsible—it’s dangerous. Your decision could impact many others, especially those who are vulnerable to serious illness.
We’re not talking about a harmless sniffle; we’re discussing the flu, which can be deadly for those with compromised immune systems. The CDC has noted that this year’s flu shot is only 43% effective against Flu A. Sending a sick individual into public spaces is equivalent to putting everyone at risk—like sending a child to show-and-tell with a loaded weapon. It’s reckless.
To address this ongoing issue, we need to make some significant changes:
- Revamp Attendance Policies: Schools should reconsider their strict attendance policies that force parents to choose between sending a contagious child or jeopardizing their academic standing. Not every illness requires a trip to the doctor, and we need a more sensible approach that doesn’t punish families for prioritizing health.
- Enhance Employment Policies: Parents should not fear losing their jobs when they need to care for a sick child. It’s essential that workplaces offer living wages and built-in paid time off for illness. After all, would you want a sick cook preparing your meal at a restaurant?
- Cultivate a Sense of Community Responsibility: It’s time for us to think about the collective well-being of our community. Protecting your child shouldn’t come at the expense of others. We should all be working together to create a healthier environment for everyone.
I don’t want your child to suffer any more than I want my own to be sick. It’s a shared responsibility, and I believe it’s not too much to ask for mutual respect regarding the health of our families.
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Summary
Keeping sick children at home is crucial for the health of the community. Stricter attendance policies and better employment protections are necessary to ensure families can prioritize health without fear. We must work together to create a safer environment for everyone, especially vulnerable individuals.
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