Let's say you have the sniffles. You decide it's nothing your remedy of choice can't handle and you go into work. Eventually you do get a tad on the gross side. You're not on death's door by any means, but you're blowing your nose and hacking and what have you. How do you interact with students?
Apologize profusely, ask students to volunteer to read for you as much as possible, and try to lean into the hallway to do any nose-blowing (if it's especially vile). Hang in there!
Honestly...say home so you don't infect everyone else. (I know, I know, it stinks but that's really the best for everyone!).
I actually tell the students that if they have any affection for me whatsoever that they will be on their best behaviour because I don’t wish to deal with rubbish behaviour when I’m feeling so rubbish. I give them some work or put a video on and let them to it. I try to interact with them as little as possible because it’s not a time for explicit teaching or lots of talking. They are usually pretty good about it. One time I was in so much pain I couldn’t even stand up so I gave the students some work and the kids just managed themselves (told each other to shut up when it got too loud) because they could see I was unwell. I made it through 2 lessons had to go to hospital. Kids do have sympathy and common decency and it’s nice to see that they do care.
Minor sniffles is one thing that can be handled by tissues and hand sanitizer. Hacking all over the place is a bit too much.
But this title cracks me up. If you are truly gross, don't subject everyone else to it. If you just feel awful and can contain any germs, cover your mouth, keep lozenges on hand, drink hot liquids, and stop talking. Communicate in other ways. Then go home and take a nap.
If I've already made the decision to stay, I flat out tell them...I have a headache today so you may want to go easy on me. LOL
