The 2017-2018 flu season has turned into nothing less than an epidemic. Individuals are continuously being diagnosed with this illness, and it appears that more and more are dying each day. Of course, the United States endures the flu season every year; this is not our first rodeo.

However, this flu season I'm witnessing more and more individuals wearing flu masks while at work. It astonishes me that employers would allow their employees, some of which who work at grocery stores, to show up to work with the flu.

Of course, I understand that individuals need to work to make a living and support themselves and/or their families. However, this is not an ordinary illness, this is the flu; one which has claimed the lives of countless individuals, 52 so far in Alabama alone, this season.

Is big business to blame for the continuous spread of the flu? Yes, I understand how economics and logistics work. Not every company can afford to pay their employees paid sick leave. In addition to that, paid leave is not required by the US government; but shouldn't it be?

It's one opinion that the flu wouldn't spread in a rapid manner that it does if employees were given paid sick days. According to the New York Times, each week around 1.5 million individuals are forced to go to work despite being ill and contagious.

Why is it that the United States does not offer universal paid sick leave, while other industrialized societies require it to be a mandated policy?

There have been multiple studies done, by both economists and physicians, who believe that institutionalizing paid sick leave can reduce the spread of contagion. It's estimated at 45% of Americans do not have paid sick leave. In 1993 the Family and Medical Leave Act required employers with more than 50 workers to allow 12 weeks of sick leave within a 12 month period. However, these 12 weeks are unpaid.

This is an issue that needs to be addressed, not only in terms of the flu but any and all illnesses which are easily and rapidly spread. Paid sick leave will slow the spread of disease, thus resulting in the health and welfare of the patrons of these big businesses.

Why has the US Government not taken the time to address this situation during the time of one of the biggest flu epidemics in the history of our nation? It's proven that paid sick leave will only cost employers as much as their medical care benefits. Paid sick leave is not an unattainable anomaly.

Smaller businesses may not be able to afford this, however, big corporations should extend these rights to their employees in an effort to create an enjoyable, disease free, work environment. This may only be the tip of the massive iceberg for this nations quest towards health care reform.