Researchers predict that between 30 and 50 percent of the population may get the H1N1 flu this season. That's an amazing statistic, and it means that everyone has a role to play in stopping the spread of the disease.

Government officials are urging people to stay home from work if they have symptoms, and to keep sick children home from school. But this isn't an option for millions of workers. Of course, they want to do the right thing, but without job-protected paid sick days, these workers will risk their paychecks and even their jobs if they stay home when they or their children contract the flu.

It's time to create a basic protection of paid sick days. Maine Senate President Libby Mitchell has introduced a bill that would require a modest protection of paid sick days for all workers.

Certainly most employers will follow the president's advice and create flexible sick leave policies to deal with this flu and other workplace contagion. I hope they will. But for those who haven't yet stepped up to protect their employees — and their customers — a paid sick day law will create an important new standard for everyone to follow.

Kate Brennan, Lewiston