"However, there should be much more leave available from work which people can afford to take should they be contagious. They will get better more quickly and save others from suffering if they stay home."

I can't afford to take any more sick leave. I've had various problems over the last 4 years including depression and heart surgery. I'm now in the position where if I take sick leave, I get no pay for the whole time I'm off sick. I cannot take special leave to look after my daughter when she is ill, because that is tied into my sick leave. I have to take paid annual leave or make the time up within the month. I cannot afford to have more than 3 unpaid days a month and I cannot afford additional childcare cover so I can work the extra hours. Neither can I claim any money back for days I take off sick after being infected by gits who come in when they're contagious.

Personally, I'm of the opinion that we are all too 'germ conscious'... by eradicating so many of the lesser germs, we're losing our resistance to the bigger germs. Humans are not meant to be sterile areas. I'm not advocating coughing over everyone, but with a little care and attention, we can get over most coughs and colds without spreading them like so much gossip.

LTS