Campus-wide illnesses have been spreading since the third week of school. Many reported symptoms of the common cold, while others have reported having the flu, strep throat and even COVID-19. Large numbers of students have been absent, and many are struggling to catch up with work leading up to midterms. We asked 200 students about how they handle sickness during the school year. 

First, the statistics: 39 percent of students said they go to school regardless of sickness. Out of those 39, six percent wear a mask while attending school. The remaining 55 percent would rather stay home. However, 38 percent of them will only stay home if they have a fever. A stuffy nose is not something they will allow to break their attendance streak.

Senior Kimbyrlee Clark has seen the sickness, including a cold she has, a close friend who had a sinus infection, and several teachers absent due to COVID. Clark firmly believes students should stay at home when sick.

“You never know what they have and how that might affect someone else, like a person who lives with someone from a high risk population, or someone with a weak immune system,” Clark said.