The new year has begun with Bourbon County residents being plagued with various illnesses. Recently sickness has seemed to consume the entire county and surrounding areas. In nearly every Bourbon County school attendance has declined rapidly due to a variety of different sicknesses that have spread throughout the halls and classrooms. With this increase in sickness, many events have been postponed and many people’s daily routines have been interrupted. This sickness not only affects the infected but also the environment around them. It seems that nothing is going to stop this rapidly spreading “plague”.
How has sickness affected attendance?
In Bourbon County High School sickness has certainly taken a toll on attendance. Throughout the past couple of weeks, the percentage of students at school has stayed relatively in the low 90 percentile, but this past week attendance has gotten as low as 86%. The attendance has gotten slightly higher but it is unknown if it will continue to increase or decrease.
How has sickness affected local elementary schools?
If anyone is likely to catch illnesses, it’s children. It seems that the various illnesses have spread rapidly throughout all elementary schools in Bourbon County. Many BCHS students mentor at local elementary schools and have noticed their classrooms getting emptier. BCHS student mentor at Cane Ridge Elementary School, Taylor Koch, stated, “I noticed that a few kids haven’t been in class recently. I mean a few kids isn’t bad but in small classrooms of 20 it’s a lot.” Attendance is important in elementary schools, not just with students but also with teachers. Another BCHS student mentor, Miryam Weinfurtner, who mentors at Bourbon Central Elementary School stated, “ I was talking to my second-grade teacher and she was saying how all of the first-grade teachers were out with the flu. So they had substitute teachers come in for the teachers and then they all got sick with the same sickness. So to cover those teachers’ absences they had to have other teachers who had other jobs to cover for them. They weren’t able to do their other jobs because they had to help with other teachers’ absences.” Sickness has caused not only students but also teachers to be behind in their learning and daily work.
What can you do to prevent further sickness in your area?
There are many ways that you can prevent yourself and others from catching various illnesses but the most important ways are the simplest. As we all know, not sharing drinks, washing your hands frequently, and disinfecting objects that are often used can all help slow the spread of germs. Another important aspect of slowing the spread of sickness is keeping those who are sick quarantined. If you are experiencing symptoms and/or have a fever. It is more helpful than harmful if you simply stay home. Even if you feel as if you can still do it all, your sickness can spread to many other students and teachers. If the majority of the community participates in these precautions the cycle of sickness that Bourbon County is currently trapped in will finally die down. Will March be a fresh start for this “plague” that has enveloped this small community to cease? Only time will tell.
