COVINGTON TWP. Pa, Oct. 25, 2024 – The leaves are changing colors and summer is finally coming to an end. Sadly, there are many setbacks that come with fall approaching. Nobody likes being sick, but with the weather changing, the flu is spreading like wildfire. The cold air is hitting, and many students are having the horrible luck of sickness passing through the school to them.
The flu is a respiratory infection that affects many people in schools including students and staff. With being in close proximity to each other at all times, it is easier to spread the infection. Mrs. McShaffery, the school nurse at North Pocono, shared, “flu season in Pennsylvania typically begins in October. So far, I have only had a few cases of the flu, but we are just at the start of flu season.” With Mrs. McShaffery saying this is just the start, there is much more that people need to look out for. When someone is infected, touching doors, desks, books, or other school equipment is the main spread of the illness.
Being sick has taken a toll on attendance and a student’s ability to learn. Missing school is always a plus, until a student falls behind because they are dealing with the uncomfortable pain of the flu. Attendance is dropping, causing grades to drop along the way. “Negative outcomes for students missing school with the flu include, poor performance on tests or assignment, decreased ability to perform daily activities, missed extracurricular activities and social events,” stated Mrs. McShaffery. Neena Sanders, a senior, shares, “It’s hard to miss school while being sick, because coming back and catching up on missing work is really stressful.” With the students being infected, it is hard to manage keeping a person healthy while also trying to remember details about what they are learning.
In order to not only keep others safe, but also yourself, a person should be practicing good hygiene. “Wash your hands before you eat, after you sneeze or cough, don’t share drinks. Stay home from school if you have a fever of 100.4 or greater or if you are sick with flu-like symptoms,” are some of the best ways to keep everyone safe explained by Mrs. McShaffery. If a person would want to take more precautions, getting the Flu vaccine would bring benefits to themselves and others. She also spoke about this topic saying, “The American Academy of Pediatric recommends anyone 6 months of age and older to get an annual flu vaccine. You should get your flu vaccine by the end of October for optimal protection before the height of the influenza season.” Neena had the exact same thoughts, “I feel like everyone should know to keep themselves clean, so kids don’t have to deal with the same sickness someone else went through.” With students looking out for themselves and others, there will be a major decrease in the flu spread around the high school.
It is important to understand what the infection is, how it is transmitted, and what could be done to prevent further harm. Keeping the community safe is a big priority for North Pocono. If a person feels they are on the verge of being sick in any way over the next few months, they should be reaching out and getting the help they need.
