Making the case for paid sick

If people took the seasonal flu and common cold as seriously as we are taking the Coronavirus then maybe we wouldn't lose tens of thousands of people a year to these diseases. Part of the reason we lose so many is because we don't socially distance when we're sick.

Basically we go on to infect others who then go on to infect others, including the elderly and vulnerable. In fact one of the reasons we haven't lost more to the Coronavirus is because of distancing.

We still go to work. We still send our kids to school. We go to the store. We even go to sporting events, movie theaters and amusement parks.

Now of course I'm not suggesting that we need to shut down the entire country every year, and yes I know that we will never be able to end all deaths, but if people would simply on their own stay home from work and school for a few days then it would help greatly.

The problem, however, is that many people can't afford to stay home. A lot people, especially in lower end jobs don't get paid sick leave. This is exactly why we need paid sick leave for all employees, so that people can afford to stay home.

And no I'm not suggesting another government program but rather companies should be willing to offer it as an option to all employees. And why wouldn't they want to? Healthy employees make for better productivity and safer work environment because they aren't infecting everyone else in the office. Paid sick leave is better for everyone. It just makes sense.