“Mom, you won’t believe what happened in class today!” My little one, Alex*, exclaimed, eyes wide like he was just told a thrilling plot twist in a video game. “Justin threw up!” I can only imagine the spectacle, but my heart goes out to the poor kid. No one wants to experience that, especially not in front of peers.
“Really? That’s awful!” I replied, trying to remain calm.
“Yeah! He was coughing so hard that it happened. His sister is home sick with the flu, so it’s probably contagious,” Alex continued.
At that moment, a chill ran down my spine, and a wave of frustration washed over me. I managed to wish Justin a speedy recovery while pushing Alex towards his homework—though inside, I sensed the impending doom approaching.
A few hours later, my fears were confirmed. We were hit by a fever that left us reeling. Alex ended up spending 11 days home with the flu. My partner lost four days of work without pay, and I barely saw my older kids because we quarantined everyone to limit the spread. Thankfully, they managed to avoid catching it. Meanwhile, I was left battling swollen lymph nodes, relentless fatigue, and coughing fits so intense I had to grab maxi pads—yes, you read that right.
And we’re among the fortunate ones! We’re generally healthy, so the flu didn’t hit us as hard as it could have.
Beyond the physical toll and lost wages, we also racked up hundreds of dollars in medical expenses for minimal assistance—mostly just a flu diagnosis and the essential doctor’s notes for school and work.
What’s alarming is that at our local MedServe, we learned that last week, over 800 flu cases were reported, and over 500 cases were already confirmed this week. In a town with just 1,900 residents, that’s a staggering number of infections.
The rumors going around paint a picture: someone skipped out on staying home to catch a game, spreading the flu to their team and their families. Then, those families sent their kids to school, where the virus spread further, and before you know it, the illness is infecting co-workers and even making its way into churches, as people shake hands in the name of community.
Let’s make this crystal clear: If you or your child are sick, stay home. Yes, I understand that life can be complicated, but school, church, and sports are not emergencies.
If you’re struggling to take time off work to care for a sick child, I empathize. I’ve been there too. But unless you absolutely have no choice, consider the ripple effect of sending your ill child to school. You’re not just risking their health but also potentially affecting dozens of other families.
This isn’t just about a runny nose; it’s the flu—a virus that can be deadly for vulnerable individuals. Health experts have pointed out that last year’s flu shot was only 43% effective. Sending a sick child into the world is akin to giving a loaded weapon to your kindergartener for show-and-tell. It’s not just irresponsible; it’s downright dangerous.
To tackle this issue, we need significant changes:
- Reassess School Attendance Policies: Current policies only push parents to send sick kids to school. It’s a frustrating choice between attendance and responsibility. Not every illness requires a doctor’s visit, and being sick shouldn’t equate to truancy.
- Job Security for Caregivers: Parents should not have to fear losing their jobs for tending to a sick child or when they’re unwell themselves. We need better employment standards, including paid sick leave. Imagine the cook handling your meal being sick. Wouldn’t you rather they stayed home?
- Community Responsibility: It’s time for everyone to think beyond their own four walls. Protecting your child shouldn’t come at the cost of another child’s health. We must all work together to create a healthier environment for our kids.
I wouldn’t want your child to suffer any more than I would want my own to fall ill. Let’s commit to a culture of care and responsibility. I believe that’s not too much to ask.
Names changed for privacy.
For more helpful resources on family health, check out this guide on home insemination kits or learn about fertility options at Hopkins Medicine’s IVF center and Cryobaby’s home insemination kits.