Sooooooo many people at work are sick. Sooooooo many people in Seward are sick. We have a wellness policy at the CDC that has very clear guidelines: You can’t be at school until 24 hours after you are fever-free/vomit-free/diarrhea-free, but we can’t battle the common cold. You can’t make children stay home just because they are grossing you out.
In an environment primarily filled with adults, I think it might be possible to escape the germs. Not in preschool, though. Despite my constant, constant, constant, constant reminders and warnings – “Catch your cough!” “Get a tissue!” “Your finger was right in your nose! Wash it!” – it is a losing battle. I have children who cough in your face, spatter the room with snot, a little girl (Ella) who went through a box of tissues Tuesday and then another one Wednesday (I am not exaggerating), and there is nothing to be done about it.
Several of our staff have caught it, and I held off until the weekend. This cold? I shall call it Ella.