Thursday, October 08, 2009

Is It Just Me?

I'll admit it, I'm a bit of a germophobe. I wasn't always, but having children changed me. In particular, Julie has a tendency to have a hard time kicking illnesses that other kids get over quickly, making me pretty paranoid about her catching any kind of cold. So, imagine my reaction when we went to the grocery store yesterday and the cashier was coughing without covering her mouth, blowing her nose without washing her hands, handling our food and giving my children stickers. (She also made some very loud remarks about adoption, meant positively, but that's another story.) I was seriously tempted to call the grocery store when I got home to ask if they have any policies about sick employees. I know I can't avoid sick customers, but sick employees? Okay, fast forward to today. We had an appointment with the girls' cleft surgeon this afternoon. After waiting the usual hour, we got into a room and waited a bit more. I could hear a bunch of coughing down the hall, but I didn't find out it was the doctor until he came to see us. He coughed all the way through the appointment and was clearly stuffed up pretty badly. All of this while examining my girls' mouths and noses. To his credit, he washed his hands and tried to cover all his coughs, but still. I feel like we're pretty much doomed to get hit with some nasty stuff after all of this, right when Larry is going away. I'm praying that if sickness is coming that it could at least hold off until he is back. So, is it just me or do others of you find it irritating when sick employees don't stay home? I realize that people have to work and earn a living, but at the expense of my family's health? It can't be just me, right?

1 comments:

Atwood-Family of FIVE said...

I remember once i went to do a home visit and the kid had disgusting yellow snot free flowing...i stayed about 10 minutes before telling the mom i was leaving because her kid was seriously ill and i shouldn't be around it. i then got the worst cold of my life and was pretty ticked out it.

i will keep you in my prayers-anne is sick today w/ a bad cough and sore throat and i feel HORRIBLE for her...i hope she gets better soon. Stay well Potter kids! (and parents!)