Watching CNN's coverage of the continuing spread of the swine flu A (HIN1) virus, it strikes me again how fortunate those of us who work from home truly are.
I remember clearly those days when I went to work at the air traffic control tower and found that one of my crew partners for that day was sputtering and spewing germs all over our shared-use equipment – computers, radar, phones, microphones, etc.
Not only would I be pissed that the other controller apparently didn't care if he infected other members of the team but it detracted from my work as I concentrated more on germ eradication (wiping everything he'd use with Dettol) than on the task at hand.
In some instances those efforts to avoid infection would prove futile and I and others would get infected anyway… and if I was angry when I was put at risk, you can imagine how I felt once I got sick, especially considering we had an excellent paid sick leave program leaving absolutely no excuse to go to work sick. During those ‘working years' I invariably ended up with at least 1, if not 2, cold viruses per year – or up to 2 weeks of feeling like crap for no good reason.
Regarding the swine flu, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention) is warning that “This is a serious event… If you have a fever and you’re sick or your children are sick, don’t go to work and don’t go to school.”
Unfortunately, most people in Mexico don't have the luxury of paid sick leave. Indeed, nearly half of private sector workers in the United States don’t have a single paid sick day. Take a day off sick and risk losing your job. So, off they go to work in crowded, poorly ventilated buses and subways potentially risking their lives so as not to risk their jobs – the situation made even worse by the current state of the economy.
Until legislation guarantees that workers receive an adequate number of paid sick leave days per year, that situation won't change and epidemics such as the swine flu will rage on.
And once again, this latest public health scare makes me feel so incredibly fortunate to work from home where I can control the amount of contact I have with the outside world… and it works.
In the 9 years since I quit my job and started working from home full-time, I have had only 2 colds (and I suspect I caught one of them on an airplane, but that's a topic for the travel blog. )
judith says
My husband has been self employed for many years, but only started working from home 10 years ago. I joined him 3 years ago having previously been working in a busy office.
He used to get lots of colds, I didn’t. Now we both do. I think it’s because we aren’t in regular contact with people and are more susceptible to germs when we do go out.
Deaneh says
Right you are Jim. Working at home is great as you spend time with your family while you provide for them. And this flu outbreak just got added to my list of advantages from my decision to work from home for a 6 months now. Just in time.
Jim Hodges says
You pointed it out correctly. I agree with you. Prevention is better than cure and this is very true. Another thing working at home is working at one’s own pace. You earn while you spend time with your family.
Edwin says
It is a good thing you pointed that out. I have been working from home since the middle of last year. Indeed we are very fortunate.
imawniumay says
I also work from home so the swine flu scare did not scare me at all. lol
speed training says
I’m also working at home and even though there were no cases of swine flu here in our country I’m preparing for it. I’m glad I belong to the lower risk population.
“Prevention is better than cure”
Dan (The Model Train Club) says
That’s exactly what I thought when the swine flu hit the news… thank goodness I work from home!
I get so much more done. I do tend to get so engrossed that I’ll often work well passed midnight. But this lifestyle is the best!
Cheers
Dan
Sam says
Good point, never really thought of it this way :). Personally though, it seems like this Swine Flu is being taken out of proportion. But hey, I guess whatever makes a story that people will watch…
Emma says
I’ve recently made the switch to working at home, and I was just commenting to an ex-coworker, how relieved I was not to be exposed to all of those workplace germs.
I used to get so angry when a sick person would come to work and next thing you know everybody would end of getting sick. If people had enough sense to stay home when they were sick I don’t think any of us would of gotten those colds and flus.
Great post. I can relate.
Conrad says
I never thought of this. But the flu is dangerous and the lowest risk to get an infection might be at home.
Marky says
Prevention is the idea that is being left out here. It is not an issue of right or left wing idealogies. Depending on the big pharm or big government to look out for our well-being is just not working for any of us. It is our life-style that has gotten out of whack. We expect something or someone to keep us ‘well’ and never take responsiblity for our own health. A strong immune system, that is not compromised by drugs, is our best protection. Learn about your body and how to keep it healthly. I am a 60 years old healthly woman. It can be done. Good luck. And remain Fearless