You’re sick! Don’t show up

By Luis Ochea

I remember during middle school, I’d go to school even with the worst illnesses just to keep up with work. Now, I’ve learned to stay home and rest. Going to school when sick has minimal benefits and more consequences for everyone.

I had personally learned this the hard way. For years before the pandemic, I had gone to school ill because I wanted perfect attendance. My middle school had even revered perfect attendance, giving students with such “achievement” a full field day, while leaving all the other students with assignments that would impact their grade.

Now that the pandemic has (mostly) run its course, I now realize that I shouldn’t be trying to “tough it out” and stay in school when I clearly need to stay home. Just this year alone I have taken the most sick days as a student.

“The most important piece is that we want people to stay