“Health is wealth” is a timeless proverb that maintains its relevance today. After all, you could have all the money or riches in the world, but what is the point if you are physically or mentally unwell?
However, in today’s society, where people are constantly looking to the future—whether it be the next homework assignment, the next internship or the next job opportunity—prioritizing one’s present health does not seem so important.
This concept applies to schools, where students are becoming wary of taking sick days in order to avoid missing material in their classes. This is more than just a common problem: it is a public health issue.
Infections in particular, such as the common cold or influenza, have the potential to spread across school buildings and even entire campuses. Choosing to attend school with contagious infections introduces viruses into other students, making those with compromised immune systems especially vulnerable.
East senior Ravza Yilmaz (‘26) recollects contracting COVID-19 earlier this school year. What should have been time for recovering her health became a stressful period as she caught up with her class syllabi.
“When I first heard about my sickness, I was very nervous because, especially with a lot of AP classes, it’s really hard to catch up with missing lectures,” said Yilmaz.
The root of the matter lies in the stigmatization of sick days. Certain teachers perceive their students’ sickness as an inconvenience and don’t provide adequate resources or support for those who need to catch up. Thus, students avoid taking sick days.
It is entirely unfair to expect sick students to complete their work in the same timeframe as other students. It should be an obligation, not a choice, for teachers to provide the extra time necessary for sick students to catch up.
Furthermore, it is important to note that prioritizing attendance over health can prevent healing in the long run. For example, taking time to rest is crucial when the body is fighting an infection. Overexertion will only introduce additional stress on the human body as it recovers, yet certain students choose to do so in order to avoid taking sick days.
“Health is the most important thing,” adds Yilmaz. “It should be the highest priority, but for many students at East, I know that missing school is so stressful that they would rather prioritize their studies over their health.”
All in all, students should not feel pressured to come to school when sick. There is no point in maintaining attendance if it means putting oneself and others at risk.