As February vacation approaches and families plan their winter getaways, we need to remember that although you are taking a vacation, viruses are not.
If you are traveling via airplane, especially if you are going out of the country, be considerate and get tested for Covid before returning to school and work. That being said, a negative Covid test does not mean you aren’t sick. COVID-19 is not the only sickness that is going around. That may be a hard topic to grasp for some people because of how much the pandemic has been running our lives for nearly two years. But it’s the truth.
We are in the middle of cold and flu season, but there are students still going to school sick. That negative test doesn’t mean you are negative for all sicknesses. When classes are quiet, you can still hear the raging coughing and sneezing fits, but don’t worry, they didn’t test positive for Covid!
It is important to take care of yourself and those around you. Even if you do not have Covid, try your best to stay home if you are sick. If you do decide to come to school, consider wearing a mask to reduce the chance of your classmates catching whatever you may have. Masks don’t only protect from Covid, but any airborne virus, including the cold and flu.
Be respectful and cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, whether you are at school, home, or anywhere else. There have always been those obnoxious people who sneeze out towards everyone, but it is increasingly surprising how often that happens in a time like this.
Flu cases in the United States spiked in December of 2021. This month, the cases have declined slightly, but continue to be at a high number. New Hampshire itself has minimal influenza cases, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a risk of getting it, as there always is with any virus.
In the end, you can only control what you do. So, make the right decisions when it comes to your health and others. We all need to start taking better care of our bodies. Rest when you aren’t feeling well and do your best to keep those around you from getting any illness you may have. Missing a day or two of school to let your body fight a sickness will not be the end of the world.
That being said, if you are sick and need a couple of days off, make sure to communicate this with your teachers. Even an email at the beginning of the school day to give your teacher a heads up would be better than nothing. Waiting until you come back to school to find out what you missed is not the right move. It is understandable if you are super sick and cannot do school work and need extra time, but it is helpful to both you and your teacher if you at least get your assignments before returning to school.
Make an educated decision when it comes to returning to school, whether it is after vacation or any other day. If you are displaying any symptoms, please take care of yourself and respect your classmates.
