Every student has said it at some point: “I don’t feel well.”
This statement poses two possibilities. Students can choose to take a sick day, which allows them to recover and avoid infecting their peers. Otherwise, they can come to school to complete the work they would miss, though they risk getting their classmates sick in the process. We strongly advise students in this situation to choose the former.
Making the decision to stay home is admittedly difficult. Missing just one class can set students hours behind in makeup work, and athletes often fear the consequences of missing practice. Yet taking time to rest is ultimately in students’ best interests. Coming to school sick can put increased strain on the body, and it is difficult to put full effort into any endeavor when unwell. Choosing not to stay home may worsen one’s condition while simultaneously infecting peers.
One sick student might be all it takes to infect an entire classroom. Without taking proper precautions, an illness can then travel outside of the building. Anyone who brings a sickness home risks sharing it with family members who may experience symptoms more severely. Not everyone can recover from an illness at the same rate. That risk may be mitigated simply by staying home.
Although staying home can feel stressful, communication is critical to easing that stress. If students communicate openly with teachers about feeling too sick to immediately make up missed work, most teachers should be willing to accommodate students’ needs and give them a chance to recover before expecting the completion of assignments. Together, students and teachers can devise a plan that enables individuals to complete their work while taking the time necessary to recuperate. Staff members should recognize that the decision to miss class may have been difficult for students to make, and is a reflection of their consideration for others.
If students cannot avoid attending school while sick, they should be mindful of their interactions with their peers. Regard for one another comes in many forms, whether that be wearing a mask or avoiding close contact with others whenever possible. Students should think beyond themselves and recognize that their actions contribute to the health of the entire student body.
Taking a sick day or exercising caution when coming to school unwell is a sign of fundamental respect for fellow students. Staying home should not be stressful, but if students must come to school, being considerate should not be controversial.