ewww, sick

It's getting to be that loverly time of year when everyone and their brother starts coming down with a case of something. My wife was wiped out a coupla days last week with something that had her alternately shivering & sweating, and cluminated in a daylong puke-fest. Sorry for the graphic picture...

I usually get hit once a season. But I must say this, it has nothing to do with the fact that I rarely wear a coat. I would repeat that, but some people just don't listen to me. How about the American Lung Association:

Myth: You can catch the flu or a cold from going outdoors in cold weather.

Fact: The flu and colds are more common in the winter months because that is when the viruses spread across the country. It has nothing to do with being outside in cold weather.

Or how about the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases:

There is no evidence that you can get a cold from exposure to cold weather or from getting chilled or overheated.

All that said... colds, flu and whatever other bugs that abound have a serious impact on employers. On the one hand, there are the bazillions of lost hours due to employees being out sick. On the other hand, there are the "heroes" out there who come to work no matter what, even if one of their limbs is falling off. Turns out, companies are probably better off sending the sickos home so they don't infect the entire office. This CNN/Money article talks about this step many companies are starting to take.