The University of St. Thomas in St. Paul recently shared a reflection on the current state of affairs and how COVID-19 has changed what the school year looks like.

“One of the biggest changes outlined in St. Thomas’ Campus Preparedness Plan— which is guiding the gradual reopening of campus as the university prepares to welcome back students for the fall— calls for a major behavioral change from students and employees alike,” Amy Carlson Gustafson said on the university website.

If one is sick, please stay home, the website said.

While it might be part of the American culture to push through it and try to come in even when fighting off the common cold, now is not the time to be pushing yourself.

Associate Professor Salina Renninger of the Morrison Family College of Health told the university why it is important to rid ourselves of the thinking that we can't miss any time from work or school.

“Organizations need to be really clear that people shouldn’t be coming to work when they’re sick and you won’t be penalized for that,” Renninger said.

If you do feel the need to get work done while sick, see about completing it another way, such as at home. If you need to be face-to-face with your team or fellow students, see about a Zoom meeting.

“If people are sick, they should stay home and rest," Renninger said. "That is what’s going to serve them in the long run, so they can be healthy and come back to work or the classroom."

It is easy to get sick, so instead of blaming yourself for being weak or not washing your hands enough, learn from experience and stay home so that you can recover quickly and not get others sick in the meantime.

“Be compassionate and kind with yourself,” Renninger said. “This is a time to take care of yourself, and by doing that you’re caring for others.”