“Mom, you won’t believe it! Josh* actually threw up in class today!” My child shares this news with the same excitement typically reserved for the latest video games. While it may have been quite a spectacle, I can’t help but feel sorry for the poor kid. Vomiting is never pleasant, especially in front of classmates.
“Really? That’s unfortunate!”
“Yeah! He coughed so hard he lost his lunch! His sister is home sick with the flu, so that’s probably what happened.”
A chill runs down my spine as worry sets in. I manage to maintain my composure long enough to express my hopes for Josh’s quick recovery, sending my child off to tackle his homework. But deep inside, I know trouble is brewing, and I can feel my eye start to twitch.
A few hours later, my instincts are confirmed—we are hit with a full-blown fever. My child ends up missing 11 days of school due to the flu. My partner takes a week off work (with paid leave) and then four additional days unpaid. I barely saw my older kids for over a week as we quarantined everyone in their rooms to limit exposure. Thankfully, this strategy worked, and they managed to avoid getting sick. I, on the other hand, am left battling swollen lymph nodes, body aches, unyielding fatigue, and coughing fits that require—yes—maxi pads. It’s that bad.
And we are among the fortunate ones. We are vaccinated and otherwise healthy, so the flu didn’t take as harsh a toll on us.
Beyond the physical discomfort and lost wages, we spent hundreds of dollars we didn’t have on doctor’s visits and medications, all for the sake of confirming the flu and securing those all-important doctor’s notes needed for school and work absences.
What I learned at the clinic was alarming: we tested positive for Flu A, and the doctor informed us that last week alone, there were over 800 flu cases in our area. This week, there were already over 500. In a town of about 1,900 people, that means around 1,300 residents are grappling with the flu.
Initially, it was just speculation among parents in the waiting room, but it was later confirmed: A boy from the junior class didn’t feel well, went to the doctor, and tested positive for the flu. Despite this, he returned to school so he wouldn’t miss out on a baseball game that night. And, incredibly, his parents allowed him to go back to class. Let that sink in. He was confirmed to have the flu, yet he returned to school for a game.
You can guess what happened next: he infected nearly the entire baseball team, who then took it home to their families. Some went back to school and spread it further, and some couldn’t afford to take time off work, exposing their coworkers. Others thought it was their religious duty to attend church even while sick, greeting everyone and spreading the illness further. This cycle has to stop.
I cannot stress this enough: If you or your child is sick, please stay home. I understand that there are extenuating circumstances, but school, church, and sports are not emergencies.
If your child is sick and you feel you cannot take off work to care for them, I empathize. I’ve faced that struggle myself and even lost my job years ago due to excessive absences related to illness. I understand the pressure. But if you can, I urge you to take a moment to think about your sick child, and then visualize the ripple effect of sending them out into the world. Your decision could impact dozens of other families.
This isn’t just about a sniffle; it’s about the flu, an illness that can seriously harm those who are medically vulnerable. Sending a sick person into public spaces is like handing a kid a loaded weapon—it’s reckless and puts lives at risk. Yes, sometimes we are contagious before we even realize we’re sick, but that doesn’t excuse knowingly sending your child out when you know they’re unwell.
To address this widespread issue, we need to make some significant changes:
- Reassess School Attendance Policies: Current policies often pressure parents to send sick children to school. Missing a few days shouldn’t equate to a failing grade. We need to find a balance that doesn’t penalize responsible parenting.
- Job Security for Caregivers: Parents should be able to stay home with a sick child without the fear of losing their job. We need improved employment standards, including living wages and paid sick leave.
- Community Responsibility: We need to cultivate a culture that prioritizes public health over individual convenience. People must recognize that their actions have far-reaching consequences.
We all want our children to be healthy, just as we want to protect others’ children from illness. It’s a shared responsibility, and we must approach it as a community. Let’s work together to create a safer environment for everyone.
*Names changed to protect the innocent.
Leave a Reply