Parents of swine flu kids who come to work at the office

[NY Disney fan]

I know co-workers whose kids have swine flu. The parents then come into the office the next day. Is this safe?

 

[pyrxtc]

The Swine Flu is juts the flu. Unless you have some illness that makes it really easy for you to become sick quickly then you shouldn't worry much about it. I'm pretty sure the parents have to have it to give it to you. It pases around the same way the regular flu does.

 

[Christine]

There is a risk, of course, that there will be that window where the parents do have it but are not yet exhibiting symptoms. I don't think that you can expect people to take off work though and wait until they might get sick.

 

[luvmy3]

My dd had the flu 2 weeks ago, nobody else in our house got it. People can't be expected to stop going to work or school or wherever because someone in their household is sick, its just not possible.

 

[LuvOrlando]

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[golfgal]

Honestly, you were exposed to anything they might be carrying already since you are contagious before you have symptoms. Is it a good idea to go to work when your kids are sick, probably not, however, the reality is people need a paycheck. It isn't really any different then going to work when your child has strep throat.

 

[Tinijocaro]

I know co-workers whose kids have swine flu. The parents then come into the office the next day. Is this safe?

Three weeks ago ds13 had swine flu, I'm a teacher so I called my principals (I'm in 5 builldings) to let them know. They said to come in, have the nurse check my temp, and that's it. I felt funny doing it, but I wasn't going to stay home since I wasn't sick. I realize that I could have been carrying the virus and passed it on to my students but what can you do? Soo many, many people have it now-what if everyone who had contact with them stayed home too, just in case? The country would fall apart.

DS32, 9 also has swine flu right now and dh and I are still at work.

 

[shortbun]

Three weeks ago ds13 had swine flu, I'm a teacher so I called my principals (I'm in 5 builldings) to let them know. They said to come in, have the nurse check my temp, and that's it. I felt funny doing it, but I wasn't going to stay home since I wasn't sick. I realize that I could have been carrying the virus and passed it on to my students but what can you do? Soo many, many people have it now-what if everyone who had contact with them stayed home too, just in case? The country would fall apart.

DS32, 9 also has swine flu right now and dh and I are still at work.

Who's taking/took care of your children while they had/have the flu?
Not a flame but if my 13yo had any influenza, I'd be sticking around to keep an eye on him at least the first several days. My girlfriend's 20yo daughter is on a ventilator in Children's Hospital right now because of influenza. One minute she was 'ok', the next she spiked a high fever and was rushed to the hospital with pneumonia. I don't hover with virusus or colds, not even strep after one day of antiboitic but influenza is serious.

 

[pixie921]

I have to say I'm surprised at how many people think it's okay to pass the germs along when there's been such concern about this and it's spread so easily (much more easily than something like the strep throat mentioned above).

My mom's best friend works in a branch of a nationwide corporation. They were sent a memo at the onset of the US outbreaks detailing symptoms and told in no uncertain terms not to come in if they were exhibiting any.

The head of her office came in to work one morning and announced that his 7yo had a confirmed case, and that he himself had a fever. He worked all day and then got on a plane for a cross-country trip. Several people in the office have had confirmed cases since then, and they expect there will be more to come.

Seriously, how stupid does a person have to be to ignore all warnings and directives, and then not only infect his coworkers but then get on a plane and spread the virus exponentially? I understand that people feel they "have" to work, but really, most jobs offer sick time or personal time. And does it not matter that your decision might cost others *their* health or, in the worst case scenario, their life?

It must be nice to be so very important and above it all that the effect of your actions on others has no meaning to you.