“Mom, did you hear? Alex* threw up during class today!” My child shares this news with the same excitement usually reserved for video game releases. I can only imagine how messy it must have been, and my heart goes out to that poor kid. No one wants to deal with vomiting, especially in front of classmates.
“Really? That’s rough!” I respond.
“Yeah! He coughed so hard that he couldn’t help it! His sister is home sick with the flu, so that probably explains it.”
Suddenly, I feel a wave of panic wash over me. I manage to keep my composure long enough to wish Alex a speedy recovery, but inside, I’m already dreading what’s next.
A few hours later, my intuition proves correct. My child is now running a fever. In total, my little one was out sick for 11 days due to the flu. My partner ended up missing four days of work without pay, and I had to isolate my teenagers in their rooms to prevent spreading the virus. Thankfully, they escaped the illness, but now I am left with swollen lymph nodes, aches all over, and relentless coughing fits that have me reaching for maxi pads. Yes, you read that right—coughing so hard that it leads to an embarrassing situation.
And yet, we are among the fortunate ones. We are generally healthy, so this bout didn’t hit us as hard as it could have.
Beyond the physical toll and lost income, our family spent several hundred dollars on doctor visits and medications, mostly to confirm what we already knew: we had the flu, and we needed those all-important notes to excuse our absences.
At the clinic, we learned that last week alone, there were over 800 flu cases reported in our small town of around 1,900 residents. This week, the numbers were already climbing again. It turns out that someone decided to bring the flu to a local sports event, infecting an entire team—and then their families, classmates, and coworkers—before heading to church to share the joy.
Let me be clear: If you or your child is sick, please stay home. I understand that life can be hectic, and sometimes it feels impossible to take time off. But consider how your decision to send a sick child to school affects others. It’s not just a sniffle we’re dealing with; it’s the flu—a virus that can be deadly for vulnerable individuals.
The CDC reported that last year’s vaccine for Flu A was only 43% effective. Sending an infected person into the public, whether it’s your child at school or you at work, is akin to sending a kindergartener to show-and-tell with a loaded weapon. It’s irresponsible and poses a serious risk to others.
To tackle this issue effectively, we need significant changes in three key areas:
- Re-evaluate Attendance Policies: Schools should not penalize parents for keeping sick children at home. It’s a difficult choice, and we shouldn’t have to sacrifice our child’s health for grades.
- Job Security for Caregivers: Parents should be able to take time off without the fear of losing their jobs. We need better employment standards, including paid sick leave. After all, would you want the person preparing your meal to be flu-ridden?
- Community Responsibility: We must care about the health of others beyond our immediate family. It’s not just about protecting our own children; it’s about all of us working together to create a healthier environment.
I don’t want your kids to get sick any more than I want my own to be unwell. I would never intentionally allow my child to harm yours, and I expect the same consideration in return. This isn’t just about you or me; it’s about the collective well-being of our community.
*Names have been changed for privacy.