School's opened here 17 August.

By Wednesday, 3 of us were home sick.

Now all 5 of us are

It's shit. It feels like now we're going to have non stop sickness again

I managed 1,5 weeks in new job. Then I went off sick. Tomorrow I will be looking after my little ones. I despair at this false start

Yes I know I am whining but I was so damaged by the UK's toxicity to illness/work that I am filled with panic still

In Sweden you won't get sacked for being home with your sick kids. And there is a huge tolerance for your own sickness

But I get The Fear whenever we get sick. Mixed up in this is the guilt and shame of it. Being sick means being weak.

In the UK where I worked we'd get people coming in with colds, coughing and spluttering: TRUE HEROES

They would be fine in a few days

Me? With my astmatic lungs?

I'd get absolutely fucked. Chest infections, antibiotics, off for 2 weeks.

Thanks guys

I'd be referred to HR and get my wrists slapped. For the crime of being ill. Infected by my fuckwit colleagues

The worst bits were when other colleagues would comment on other people's absences. "Off again?!" *raised eyebrows*

They would help police and maintain the culture of shame about sickness

So I still feel the effects of this. Which is why on a Sunday I am dreading facing the music and telling my boss I won't be in tomorrow

In times of #COVID19 we need to fight against this culture. It's not ok to play the hero and go in to work anyway. My mind knows that but I am fighting against this toxic legacy

Just a small rant never mind me