Hi, I first want to say if this is not allowed in this specific forum, let me know and I will delete and move to the proper one. I know I get tired about talking about this subject, but I need some help. I don’t have the vaccine because my spouse told me that I should not get it and she is in healthcare. I didn’t get it to keep the peace and we may want to have another child and don’t want to risk something happening to our fertility. Anyways, I came into someone who was in close contact with another teacher at a PD and got sent home for quarantine and had to use my sick days. Now I want clarification if I should fight this. I didn’t voluntarily take these sick days. Someone with the vaccine does not have to quarantine and use their sick days. I work in Tennessee. And my close relative told me that the IRS gives the employers in US money to have 10 COVID quarantine/sick days. Paid leave on top of my built up sick days. I feel upset about this because I just moved to this school district, and had I known that I could or would have been sent home to use my sick days, I would not have volunteered for group work. Help me please!
I think you have very little grounds to fight the use of your sick days. Because you're unvaccinated, all exposures require a 10 day quarantine. Vaccinated individuals do not have to do that unless they become symptomatic because the vaccine is so effective at preventing infection even with exposure. It's not 100%, but it reduces the risk enough that the CDC has relaxed quarantine guidance on exposure for vaccinated people. There were federally funded sick days at the beginning of the pandemic, but I think that benefit has expired now that the vaccine is widely and freely available. Obviously no one can force you to get vaccinated, but these inconveniences will continue to be the result of being unvaccinated. The CDC and other credible sources have found zero evidence of the vaccine negatively affecting fertility -- they have found evidence, however, that getting COVID can negatively impact male fertility. So that's something to consider and look into from credible sources (such as CDC or WHO).
I would agree with miss-m. Why not talk to your doctor about your concerns about the vaccine? This will take it out of the realm of politics and into the realm of science. Which do you want for your baby?
Ultimately, you choose not to get the vaccine. You made the decision to not only put your health at risk, but the people around you as well. It’s perfectly reasonable and legal to force you to take your sick days. Truthfully, it’s probably even listed in your contract (I know ours is). What does your spouse do in healthcare? I’m shocked that she would propagate inaccuracies, even unintentionally. The vaccine itself has not been found to cause infertility or any issues getting pregnant. Covid itself however, can cause fertility issues in men especially.
I could be wrong on this, but I thought the IRS money was for jobs that don't typically get any sick days, not jobs that already had them. The whole point was to minimize spread by disincentivizing working while ill, especially since those positions without sick days are often public-facing jobs. As others have said, there's been zero evidence or reports of the vaccine impacting fertility. The only reasonable possible impact based on the evidence would be minor due to possible impact on the menstruation cycle. There's been substantial anecdotal episodes of women reporting their cycles thrown off by a few days, enough that a formal study has been initiated. On the other hand, we know for sure based on decades of experience that illnesses can affect fertility in male-type persons, like getting chicken pox at any time post-puberty can. This is common for diseases that come with high fevers. COVID can come with high fever.
Perhaps your spouse is a highly rated doctor who specializes in infectious diseases, or, I could list a lot of jobs also considered "in healthcare" that would be far less technical and knowledgeable about COVID and the vaccines that are available. We also have many family members who are "in healthcare" - specialist nurses with MA degrees and doctors - and they were totally in favor of getting the vaccines, having worked on the frontlines of those suffering/dying from COVID. You have been given good advice here. As a teacher, you have chosen to stay unvaccinated based on a rumor that lacks scientific proof, so yes, using your sick days whenever you have to quarantine seems perfectly logical, not only to me, but, apparently, to your school district. Let me simply point out that should either of you die due to complications of having COVID, your fertility, going forward, would definitely and irrefutably be impaired.
I think this one is on you. I would also encourage you to talk with your doctor. Is your spouse required by his/her employer to get vaccinated. Many of the hospitals and clinics around here are requiring vaccines.
Have you given any thought about how your decision to remain unvaccinated affects the students in your classroom who can't be vaccinated?
You bring up such a good point. What kind of moral compass does an unvaccinated person have when choosing to work with a fragile population who are unable to become vaccinated?
Maybe I’m just old and grumpy, but “my spouse told me not to” would really get to me. I can make my own decisions. I’ll consider another opinion, but I won’t stand for an ultimatum. I also won’t put my own health at risk to avoid an argument.
I think your spouse is being dramatic and selfish. It's not about ME ME ME. Your spouse is risking their life, your life, and lives around you for selfish reasons. I think you already know this. If you agree then do what your spouse says. If you don't agree then tell her that. I'm surprised anyone in healthcare is getting a choice anyway. Most health care facilities, not just hospitals, are mandating it where i live. I think everyone has the right to refuse it but they shouldn't be telling others what to do.
Do you know for sure that vaccinated teachers who are quarantined DON’T have to use sick days? If you’re being treated differently due to not being vaccinated, then you should take it up with HR.
Indigo, OP said vaccinated teachers don't have to quarantine because of exposure. OP had to quarantine because of exposure.
