Being a teacher here in Maine, with cold and flu season in full swing and widespread H1N1, I am concerned about absentee rates of the students. But what concerns me more is the number of students who are not kept home when they are ill and contagious.

I understand that families often can’t afford to have a parent stay home to care for their sick children. Many families, especially now during hard economic times, have to budget their money very carefully, and they can’t afford the luxury of recovery time for their own illnesses, much less to stay home to care for a sick child.

What’s worse is that there are some workers who don’t have paid sick days who risk losing their jobs if they take time off to take care of themselves. For these individuals and their families it’s simply not an option to take the kinds of actions and precautions that would reduce the spread of sickness in the classroom.

I regularly see children who come to school sick who can’t be home because their parents are working. It makes me sad and worried, and my heart goes out to these families.

The Maine Legislature should pass LD 1665 to prevent the hardship currently caused by Mainers’ inability to maintain their livelihoods, care for loved ones and reduce the spread of illness. I believe a minimum standard of paid sick days will protect kids and help keep us all safe and healthy.

Marianne Arnold, Lewiston

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