Ever since COVID-19 disrupted schools, it feels like there has been a growing lack of respect for staying home when sick. Students and staff spent parts of multiple school years wearing masks to protect themselves and others. But, since mask mandates were lifted nearly four years ago, many people seem less concerned about avoiding school when they aren’t feeling well.
It feels like students are afraid of missing class and falling behind, even if that means putting classmates and teachers at risk. I became especially aware of this issue during winter finals week. Throughout the halls, I noticed students sneezing and sniffling, which did not immediately alarm me. That changed when I walked into one of my classes and heard a student openly describing flu-like symptoms: chills, sweating, headaches, body aches and extreme fatigue. They even said they wanted to go home but weren’t sure their parents would allow it.
Sure enough, by Friday of finals week, my own body gave out. I remember walking through Target when the symptoms hit all at once. My head throbbed, my body ached and I went from feeling hot to freezing within minutes. Earlier in the week, I had brushed off a scratchy throat because finals made it feel impossible to miss school. What I thought would be a short illness lasted more than a week and stretched into the first full week of winter break.
When school resumed, I learned another student in the same class experienced nearly identical symptoms over the same time period. We both suspected the flu and realized there was only one likely place we could have caught it: school.
We were far from the only ones. It seemed like a large portion of the senior class had been sick before break. One of my teachers, who wasn’t ill herself, even began wearing a mask because so many students were coming to school sick and she didn’t want to be infected.
Students are required by state law to attend school, but we are also given excused sick days specifically to prevent situations like this. Teachers are usually understanding and flexible when students miss school due to illness. While coming in on a makeup day might not be enjoyable; it exists for a reason. Showing up sick doesn’t just affect you, it affects everyone around you.
If you are slightly sick and feel you must attend school, wearing a mask is a simple step that helps protect others. While masks may feel outdated because we haven’t regularly used them since 2022, they remain an effective way to limit the spread of illness.
This issue ultimately comes down to kindness and consideration. You never know who may have a compromised immune system or a vulnerable family member at home. What feels like a minor cold to one person could become dangerous for someone else.
Attendance policies also play a role. With the district’s “Strive for 95” initiative and the pressure tied to events like homecoming and prom, many students hesitate to take sick days. These milestones are important parts of the high school experience, but prioritizing attendance at the expense of health only increases the risk of others getting sick.
If you aren’t feeling well, please be considerate of others and stay home, not just for yourself, but for your peers. And if staying home isn’t an option, wear a mask and take precautions. Protecting yourself and your health should always come before perfect attendance.
