TL;DR - Children's medicine is hard to find, offer support to parents and caregivers this flu season.
The COVID 19 pandemic showed us that we can be more flexible in the workplace and more people are able to work from home when life happens. You have an HVAC technician coming – work from home. You have a doctor’s appointment which is closer to your house – work from home. Your child is sick – work from home.
This past week my daughter tested positive for the flu. Her fever spiked often, frequently above 103, but I had Children’s Motrin and Children’s Tylenol on hand to ease her symptoms. I was able to juggle work and care. I also have an incredibly great and supportive team where I work. On Tuesday, I realized that we were low on Tylenol and Motrin. I grabbed my coat and let my team know I was heading to the store to grab some Tylenol.
I arrived at the store, head to the children’s pharmacy section and my heart drops. There is no Children’s Tylenol, just an empty shelf. There is no Children’s Motrin or store/generic brand either. Emotions start to overwhelm me, and I feel as though I might cry. How will I get her fever down? I headed to the adult section and found a bottle of Infant Tylenol, tucked away. I am relieved as I purchased the last bottle, but I am also filled with guilt. Another parent or caregiver is going to come behind me and find nothing. My daughter has since recovered, but I know there are so many others out there who are sharing my experience.
I say all this to remind people that parents and caregivers who are working from home while caring for their sick child or working in an office while their sick child is at home, might seem more stressed than usual. They might seem more distracted, and they might need more help. We are only at the start of the flu season. The spot shortage is more likely caused by an increase in demand, and it appears it might be short lived, but even one week without medicine to help your child can be incredibly unnerving.
I understand that some stores might have the medicine, instead of claiming there is no issue, perhaps a way to help is to offer to purchase a bottle for your coworker who is having a difficult time. We are all in this together, and with it only being December, who knows how hard the next few months might be.
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Chief Legal Officer | Business Professor | Growth Counselor
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