About five weeks ago, I shopped at a high volume retailer on our island. The cashier who checked me out was clearly sick with a cold; I should have ducked that line as soon as I realized, but I didn’t. I got the cold; it became pneumonia, and struggling to breathe, I went through two courses of antibiotics and a truly vile month lost to illness. Many islanders caught viruses this month: severe colds, flu, bronchitis, pneumonia.

Please, please, please, people, don’t go to work sick. Especially don’t go in if you’re interacting with the public. Some of those you’ll contact have fragile immune systems. And employers, please make sure you have sick leave so your employees don’t have to work while ill.

You could save a life. Thank you.

— Carla Kiiskila