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AP Photo/John Amis
On October 24, 2009, President Obama declared Swine Flu a national emergency in the United States.
What’s causing the seemingly unstoppable spread of this flu? Answers from medical professionals are understandably clinical. That’s the world they live in, after all. We’ve all heard the advice about not touching our eyes, mouth, and nose, to frequently wash our hands and to use hand sanitizer. All good advice, to be sure. But the spread of H1N1 is proving to be a multi-faceted problem that may be more complex than originally thought. Everything from the economic situation, greed, to simple ignorance seem to be contributing factors.
Some of the factors contributing to the spread of H1N1:
Economic factors
Warranted or not, many companies are cutting back on health care benefits, switching to policies that require higher deductions from paychecks, increased co-pays and offering plans with fewer benefits in an attempt to keep costs down. Companies are also cutting back on paid sick days, accrual of sick time and a host of other cuts.
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People line up to get a free swine flu vaccines during a vaccine clinic at the Fairfax County Government Center in Fairfax, Va.(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
One of the benefits on the cutting board is paid sick time. But cutting this benefit may be proving to be a double edged sword for the businesses as well as the general public.
Consider the following example: An employee shows symptoms of a flu. The employee’s company does not offer sick pay, and may have inadequate or unaffordable health insurance. Add to this the fear of being fired for calling in sick when jobs are being cut. The chances are that this employee out of necessity will arrive at the workplace sick, where he or she can possibly spread the flu to other employees. Instead of one employee calling out sick, the situation may be compounded.
But, you say, I have great health benefits, paid sick days and a top-notch plan. Why should I care? I’m safe. Think again.
The Institute for Women’s Policy Research looked at job benefits nationally. It found as many as 85-percent of food service workers don’t have paid sick days. This was the worst percentage for any group. Compare this figure, for example to the legal profession. Only about 16 percent of people in the legal profession don’t get paid when they call in sick. Who served you that hamburger at the fast-food chain? Looking back, your server at the restaurant seemed to have a bit of a sniffle. You get the picture.
Personal responsibility
Even though the Swine Flu is making headlines just about every day, there are some who seemingly just don’t get it.
We've probably all witnessed one or more of the following:
- Someone sneezes into their hand, then pushes open a door or turns a knob.
- The cashier who licks his or her fingers to separate money when counting.
- The packer at the supermarket who licks his or her fingers to separate the plastic bags.
- The person who walks out of the bathroom stall and exits without washing hands. (Let’s add to this situation the inconvenience to you, who’ve washed your hands and must now try to open the door with your elbows so as to not touch the handle.)
- In the produce aisle, someone samples the grapes or other small fruits, touches their lips with their fingers then continues to pick more fruit.
Parental responsibility
Whether it’s the parents inability to take a day off from work for reasons stated in the previous point, the inability to pay for a babysitter or simply out of desperation, many parents are sending their children to school sick. There have been numerous reports of clusters of outbreak at local schools.
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AP Photo/Ana P. Gutierrez
Part of the solution may be to keep in mind that It’s everyone’s responsibility to work together for the greater good. We live in a world of communities where we interact, share, and come in contact with others. Economic excuses should not be an acceptable reason for irresponsibility. Businesses surely have the right to focus on profits and growth, but with that, they should also be responsible citizens of the community. The same applies to individuals.
States, by law, require automobile owners to have their cars inspected for safety not only to the owners, but for the sake of other motorists on the road. In short, yes you have the right to drive, but with that right comes responsibility to others. The same can be said here.
Click here for all articles by Domenick Pilla
Contact Domenick Pilla at: dpilla711@gmail.com
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