Editorial: Paid sick leave an effective tool against Covid-19
By The Herald Editorial Board
Much of the advice we have heard as to how to respond to the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak are commonsense practices that even if they take prodding reminders to develop into habits such as covering coughs with a tissue, not touching the face, frequent handwashing and swapping out handshakes for elbow bumps are simple and effective steps everyone can easily take to protect themselves and those around them.
Those steps have the added benefit of reassuring us that we do have some control in preventing the spread of this and other diseases; its still flu season after all.
One recommendation, however, is more difficult for many to comply with because some may feel less financial control over the situation: staying home and not showing up for work if one feels ill or is showing symptoms including fever, cough and shortness of breath.
For many Americans, staying home from work if their job doesnt provide paid sick leave is not financially possible, especially if its for a week or longer. At best, a single parent can make arrangements to take a sick child to the doctors office or take a couple of days off to nurse a head cold. But because Covid-19 can have a long incubation period and the illness for some adults can be fairly mild, it may require a longer span of days away from work before they are no longer contagious.
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