In the workplace we often find martyrs: “I feel so crappy, but – sneeze, sneeze, cough, cough – I have so much to do, I just came in anyway…” With the flu season almost epidemic in our country, many hospital emergency departments exceed their capacity and are placing patients on gurneys in the waiting areas or outside in tents.
Hospital employees learn early in their employment that keeping one’s hands clean can reduce the risk of illness. And we get our flu shot, stay at least six feet away from sneezers and coughers, use an embarrassing amount of hand sanitizer (at home, too).
Learn the difference between the flu and a cold, but if you are uncertain about your health diagnosis: stay home. So far, no prizes for workplace martyrs have been awarded.
(S-R archives photo)
Spokesman-Review features writer Rebecca Nappi, along with Catherine Johnston, an Olympia, Wash., writer who works in hospital administration, write about issues of grief when facing serious illness, dying, death and other forms of loss.
Ask a question: Rebecca and Catherine answer grief questions in their syndicated EndNotes column for McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. Email them at endnotescolumn@gmail.com.
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