This is also why we need better structural supports like increased paid sick days. There are many people who want to do the right thing and stay home when they are sick, but can’t afford to miss work.
@luckytran I go to a busy transplant clinic. 50 people, all immune compromised in waiting room. 5 masked. 1 or 2 nephrologists masked.
When our health depts dont provide sound accurate advice, Public Health is dead.
The stigma associated with being sick with an infectious illness is one of the reasons people try to conceal it.
I also think we see a similar thing with wearing masks, which underscores the importance of normalizing mask-wearing long-term, like in countries such as Japan.
@luckytran When I see somebody wearing a mask, or when they cancel an appointment because they're sick, I tend to think that they are likely a trustworthy, reliable, and honest person. They have proven by their behavior that they are willing to make small sacrifices for the common good.
@luckytran I absolutely believe it, because work and school are actively disincentivizing folks from staying home and punishing them for being cautious.
@luckytran I have worked in hospitals where, even with sick pay benefits, staff can face disciplinary action for taking what's considered excessive time off. Consequently hospital staff often works sick. Not only can they spread disease, but it prolongs their own recovery time.
@luckytran In 2021 I had several patients lie to me, saying they received the Covid vaccine when they had not. This is why I discharged every one of them from my practice--they would be the first people to fail to take precautions and then come into the office sick, lying during screening.
@luckytran the lack of meaningful paid sick leave and the prevalence of retaliation for low income workers if they do use what minimal sick leave they’re ostensibly provided mean that for many people their is no choice about going to work while sick. Yes it’s unacceptable, but the fault is not theirs in those cases.
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