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Letter: Some reckless Burnaby people say they’ll go to work with coronavirus

Editor: How much convincing do some people need so that they take the novel coronavirus seriously? As it turns out, a lot, apparently.
coronavirus
Photo submitted by UBC.

Editor:

How much convincing do some people need so that they take the novel coronavirus seriously?

As it turns out, a lot, apparently. I’ve even seen some people on social media saying that if they develop coronavirus, they’ll still go to work because they can’t afford to take time off, which is such an ignorant take on this whole thing.

While I understand there are people who can’t afford to miss work and need the money that comes along with having a job, that still doesn’t give you the right to knowingly infect anyone else.

Even if your symptoms are extremely mild — because they might not be so mild for whomever comes into contact with you. This is a matter of life and death. So if you’re sick, stay home.

As for employers, if any of your employees fall ill with this virus or if your entire office building has to shut down for a couple of weeks, give your staff a break. Continue to pay them. This is beyond anyone’s control - it’s a pandemic, not a vacation - and people’s financial situations shouldn’t have to take a hit as a result.

Brianne Amira, Burnaby