Anonymous wrote:For everyone who keeps their kids home for fear of getting sick, does that mean you literally keep them home in the house with no visitors? Because if you're going out to places like grocery stores, malls, friends' homes, etc., they're going to have the same exposure. I guess I'm just not one to hide out like that, especially considering that the odds are still very high that any particular child will not get sick. Kids do get sick sometimes and sometimes it's at inconvenient times, but I wouldn't live my life worrying about that.

I don't think they necessarily do have the same exposure at grocery stores, malls, or even friends' homes as at school.

But yes, I also would not keep my child home from school out of fear that my child will get sick at school.

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I'm doing it! Not sending the kiddo to school today or tomorrow. And feel so relieved!

So, what do you plan to do these two days?

I have the same question as the other PP. Do you plan to go to a grocery store, or the mall? Or anywhere? Because it's just as likely your kids will be exposed to some germs there.

I guess if you're staying home the next two days, you might be able to avoid any illness.

I find this thread so puzzling.

OP is keeping her kids home from school for two days because of the possibility that they might get sick.

How do you even explain that to your kids? "Larla, you don't have to go to school for two days because I'm worried that you might get sick."

You're letting your fear of something alter your behavior. OP is letting her germaphobia determine whether or not her kids to go school.

You're sending a strange message to your kids, IMO. That it's okay to skip out on things if you're scared of getting sick?

For everyone who keeps their kids home for fear of getting sick, does that mean you literally keep them home in the house with no visitors? Because if you're going out to places like grocery stores, malls, friends' homes, etc., they're going to have the same exposure. I guess I'm just not one to hide out like that, especially considering that the odds are still very high that any particular child will not get sick. Kids do get sick sometimes and sometimes it's at inconvenient times, but I wouldn't live my life worrying about that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Okay, this post from an ES teacher is crazy. Are you really that worried about germs? That's just crazy. Maybe being an ES teacher isn't the right job for you? You're calling the school a 'germ factory' and you wish you didn't have to go in this week? Truly sounds as if you need a career change!

The school is a germ factory. That's an established public-health fact.

http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=1033342

And how do you feel about working the half-week before Christmas?

Then, you kind of know that going into the career, right? That you might be exposed to some extra germs if you're working with kids. Maybe not the best job for a germaphobe?

Just like riding the Metro exposes you to tons of germs. Maybe driving is a better choice if you're that germaphobic!

I really don't understand people's problems with the ES-teacher PP. Are people not allowed to complain about any aspect of their work if they knew about that aspect before they decided to take the job? Presumably the PP would prefer not to get sick. I can understand that, because I would also prefer not to get sick. That doesn't make us germaphobes, at least not how I define the word.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Okay, this post from an ES teacher is crazy. Are you really that worried about germs? That's just crazy. Maybe being an ES teacher isn't the right job for you? You're calling the school a 'germ factory' and you wish you didn't have to go in this week? Truly sounds as if you need a career change!

The school is a germ factory. That's an established public-health fact.

http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=1033342

And how do you feel about working the half-week before Christmas?

Most people do have to work these two days before Christmas. Don't you? I'm normally off on Mondays, but am working tomorrow. And, Friday. Most people don't get a week off for Christmas.

And the PP is also having to work those two days before Christmas. The question is, how do people feel about it? Do they say, "Yippee! I get to work the two days before Christmas!" Or, like the PP who is an ES teacher, do they say, "I wish I didn't have to go in this week."?

No, most of us don't even think twice about it. We have to go to work. NBD. If you hate your job and dread going into work this week, then maybe the job isn't right for you. I don't love my job, but it's fine and it pays the bills. Going in this week is no different than any other day. I'm happy to have a decent job and I get paid for going in this week, so I will.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Okay, this post from an ES teacher is crazy. Are you really that worried about germs? That's just crazy. Maybe being an ES teacher isn't the right job for you? You're calling the school a 'germ factory' and you wish you didn't have to go in this week? Truly sounds as if you need a career change!

The school is a germ factory. That's an established public-health fact.

http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=1033342

And how do you feel about working the half-week before Christmas?

Most people do have to work these two days before Christmas. Don't you? I'm normally off on Mondays, but am working tomorrow. And, Friday. Most people don't get a week off for Christmas.

And the PP is also having to work those two days before Christmas. The question is, how do people feel about it? Do they say, "Yippee! I get to work the two days before Christmas!" Or, like the PP who is an ES teacher, do they say, "I wish I didn't have to go in this week."?

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't keep my kid home because they 'might' get sick.

I know, right? WTF?

Your kid 'might' get sick going to the mall. There 'might' be some germs on Santa's lap - maybe you should skip pictures this year. There 'might' be germs on your mail - better not open it, or use gloves. Do people really live in such fear of germs?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Okay, this post from an ES teacher is crazy. Are you really that worried about germs? That's just crazy. Maybe being an ES teacher isn't the right job for you? You're calling the school a 'germ factory' and you wish you didn't have to go in this week? Truly sounds as if you need a career change!

The school is a germ factory. That's an established public-health fact.

http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=1033342

And how do you feel about working the half-week before Christmas?

Then, you kind of know that going into the career, right? That you might be exposed to some extra germs if you're working with kids. Maybe not the best job for a germaphobe?

Just like riding the Metro exposes you to tons of germs. Maybe driving is a better choice if you're that germaphobic!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the people that I know were visiting family out of town left this weekend.

There will be no kids in school. I'm keeping my two out too.

My children are in school, so that's at least two kids in school.

As are mine. Although we are in Arlington, so maybe they're the only two there!

I wouldn't keep my kid home because they 'might' get sick.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the people that I know were visiting family out of town left this weekend.

There will be no kids in school. I'm keeping my two out too.

My children are in school, so that's at least two kids in school.

Mine too. And, our bus stop was filled as usual, so I'd say a decent number of kids will be in school today.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Okay, this post from an ES teacher is crazy. Are you really that worried about germs? That's just crazy. Maybe being an ES teacher isn't the right job for you? You're calling the school a 'germ factory' and you wish you didn't have to go in this week? Truly sounds as if you need a career change!

The school is a germ factory. That's an established public-health fact.

http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=1033342

And how do you feel about working the half-week before Christmas?

Most people do have to work these two days before Christmas. Don't you? I'm normally off on Mondays, but am working tomorrow. And, Friday. Most people don't get a week off for Christmas.

Anonymous wrote:All the people that I know were visiting family out of town left this weekend.

There will be no kids in school. I'm keeping my two out too.

My children are in school, so that's at least two kids in school.

Anonymous wrote:

Okay, this post from an ES teacher is crazy. Are you really that worried about germs? That's just crazy. Maybe being an ES teacher isn't the right job for you? You're calling the school a 'germ factory' and you wish you didn't have to go in this week? Truly sounds as if you need a career change!

The school is a germ factory. That's an established public-health fact.

http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=1033342

And how do you feel about working the half-week before Christmas?