Swine Flu Update May 5, 2009
59School Closings Canceled by CDC
May 5th, 2009 at 2pm the CDC determined it is no longer advisable to cancel school due to the swine flu. The CDC statement reads "new information on disease severity and the extent of community spread warrant revision of the school closure guidance." They continue to say: "Decisions about school closure should be at the discretion of local authorities based on local considerations, including public concern and the impact of school absenteeism and staffing shortages. (Go to the CDC link above to read the full story)
My son developed a fever Sunday night with sore throat and cough. Pretty much classic signs of any flu. Does he have the swine flu? I don't know, and as a nurse I will do as the CDC recommends...keep him home for 7 days and then let him get back to life again. It has caused a problem in my family!
My son was due to go to something called "Outdoor Ed" starting tomorrow. He has been looking forward to this for months! He came down with a fever and sore throat on Sunday. He had a fever and sore throat and cough on Monday. Today he says he is feeling better...do I let him go?
In one of the massive fights in life, I pull rank. "I have to be a responsible health care provider...see this is what the CDC recommends!" "But I want to go!" He stated. "I am sorry, but how would we feel if I was the stupid Mother who sent her child sick and infected everyone?" "You hate me", he yelled.
New Guidance
The CDC states that "new information on disease severity and the extent of community spread warrant revision of the school closure guidance." This does not mean send your children to school sick! If they display signs of the flu, keep them home for 7 days as the CDC recommends! I understand that this makes some very hard schematics for single mothers (or fathers, whatever the case may be).
The CDC has lifted the school closing restriction. However, I wonder, for who's good? The CDC is located in Washington, DC...the capital of the world? I am a responsible American, but how long can I keep my son out of school without having a complaint.
They say the flu is not deadly, but the first American has died. Not the child from Mexico. The CDC is now saying " students, faculty or staff with influenza-like illness (fever with a
cough or sore throat) should stay home and not attend school or go into
the community except to seek medical care for at least 7 days even if
symptoms resolve sooner."
My son may hate me for life, but I, as a responsible nurse, put advice into action! He will not go to the "GreatOut Doors". He will probably hate me forever, but what is life for....it is to teach him good from bad...right from wrong...Evil from not so evil..health from wellness...He hates me now, but maybe someday he will appreciate that I did not infect our world!
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Comments
I would have loved to have a 7 day pass from school. My mom was a nurse and gave me what was good for me. I may not have always liked it, but I respected it, and am all the better for it now. :)
He won't hate you forever. Perhaps you can make the day "special" in some other way? Rent him a special game or DVD? Make some allowance out of the ordinary to let him know you know it's tough not getting to go to the event, but look how much fun he can have instead. Just an idea.
Really tough k@ri - but he'll remember and thank you when he has to take a call like that with his kids!
Rochelle, No, he won't hate me forever. He doesn't yet, and that's not the first time he has said it. LOL! If I only had a dime for every time! :)
Paper Moon, Thanks for letting me know. It's a hard call sometimes being a Mom (and a nurse).
KCC, That's a good idea. I will try to think of some way.
Shalini, It was a tough decision. And I think he does understand in a way...he's just very disappointed at the moment.
Great hub! A timely reminder of the social responsibility we have to do our part to keep infectious illnesses from spreading. You are a great mom and he'll get over it!
Life will be full of disappointments and I'm sure in a few years this one won't be on the top of his list. lol Things always have a way of working out for the best.
My son's school is thinking of giving Finals early in case they have to close the school. My daughter had a headache yesterday, they said maybe she should stay home. No fever, no other symptoms. sigh.
Hi Gail! Thanks, although sometimes I hate that I have to be "responsible"! Many people think I'm stupid for listening to the CDC, but what can I do...I've become a nurse through and through. First, do no harm! :D
mamacoots, He is already getting over it...I guess having to stay home from school is helping. :) The school said stay home for a headache?! If the kids knew that, they would all have headaches! A fever is a little harder to fake. The CDC is pretty specific about the fever part.
I just realized I never listed the "symptoms" per the CDC. Here they are, "fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue." Notice that fever is first and headache is third from last. (Just some ammo for your school...headache without any other symptom is probably just headache.)
I cannot add much more to what has already been said. He'll understand someday and know that you did what was right even if it was not the fun time he had planned. There will be more fun times ahead for him!
Peggy, I forgot to say, he can go again next year. Thanks for the comment. He is already starting to enjoy the fact he cannot go to school until next week.
That's good news!
Yes, it makes life easier! :D
Somehow I missed this HUb!! Is he better and back to school? Give him a hubhug from gramamakaren!
mamakaren, I gave him a giant hubhug from gramamakaren! He is much better, I do not know if it was the swine flu. Neither of the rest of us caught it (so far), all is good! :D
BTW--I love that gramamakaren! Made me chuckle!
Rochelle Frank says:
8 months ago
It's a tough call when you have to dissapoint your kid, Hope you can find a silver lining, and no, he won't hate you forever, though it might seem like it.