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Is it the little me, the huge I, the tiny i or a collective sigh?

by Ariel Harris | 5, Add your Comment | Aug 18, 2009

Public Sneezing vs Public OptionThe checker in the grocery store starts sneezing, I notice she doesn’t use a tissue but rather wipes her nose on her sleeve and continues bagging my groceries.

I can’t help but wonder since she is an hourly employee, possibly even part time, she probably doesn’t have health care. So that means, she is not able to take care of that flu/infection but instead is oblivious to the fact that everyone that goes through her line is going to share her gift of germs. Do I send her a thank you note?

Which made me start thinking, if we all had universal health care that would mean a very simple thing. We no longer have to worry about ourselves in public. In other words, if everyone could have the necessity of health care, we are all at a lessened risk of losing a day at work, or simple joys, because of sharing someone else’s germs. So very simple!

Which begs the question, why is this so difficult to pass if it protects everyone, even the big I?

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5 Responses to “Is it the little me, the huge I, the tiny i or a collective sigh?”

  1. Marcia Killingsworth says:
    August 19, 2009 at 1:26 am

    Love this point of view. And I’ll add an AMEN!

    Reply
  2. Diane says:
    August 19, 2009 at 10:18 am

    People with access to health care still get sick. It’s lack of paid sick leave which brings people back to work. I don’t know anybody who can afford to take two weeks off for a cold, even if they have sick leave.

    Don’t get me wrong. I think all working folks deserve health care and paid sick leave. I think health care should be for everyone, working or not.

    But the way to prevent people passing germs, in this instance, is to wash our hands. If bagger is sneezing, she should keep tissues and hand sanitizer around. You should wash your hands after getting your groceries, and maybe wipe off the cans.

    I used to work in a child-care facility, and when those kids got sick, everyone got sick. But we didn’t have a very generous leave policy.

    Reply
  3. Ariel Harris ariel harris says:
    August 19, 2009 at 10:51 am

    you are right…spreading germs is a wash your hand solution…
    making sure everyone has healthcare should be a no brainer.

    Reply
  4. Brenden Brenden says:
    August 19, 2009 at 3:31 pm

    I Fedex’d a hard copy of this directly to the President. Along with my patent application for a power plant fueled by elvish flatus.

    Reply
  5. C Smith says:
    August 20, 2009 at 4:27 am

    Brenden the image used with this article does look like an elf trying to expell gas.

    Reply

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Ariel Harris
Ariel Harris
About the author Ariel Harris: Ariel Harris, believer in the positive and intentional language, artist, writer, empowerer/tutor for 'at-risk' kids, shares life-joy with her soul mate Jamal (of ‘round midnite' fame, WCQS), has a bevy of three grown socially conscious extraordinary children plus two wonderful loving wedding additions, two granddaughters, and is awaiting heralding the time of great comfort for all. Ariel is available for comfort sessions and can be reached at arielharris14@yahoo.com.

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