When you're sick and contagious, are you morally obligated to stay isolated, away from other people?

I think you are. I had a dentist appointment the other day but I woke up with a cold. I had a drippy nose, a cough, and a sore throat.

I called the office and asked them what I should do. I didn't want to get anyone else sick. They told me to reschedule.

The last thing I want to do is get everyone sick. I also think that if someone works in an office and they have the sick days to take, they should stay home. Just let the work pile up and take care of your cold!

The last thing the company needs is to have a lot of people out sick. Besides, even though it may seem like a small cold, everyone's immune systems are different. If someone is frail or has a preexisting condition even a "simple cold" puts the at risk for complications.

Yes, I do think there is a certain moral obligation. First, I'd like to qualify my beliefs and views by saying that when people have certain job obligations that they absolutely CANNOT sidestep (no sick days, bosses who want people to come in sick, etc. ) then obviously those people are backed into a corner and given no choice. But when there IS A CHOICE.... Yes, there is certainly a moral obligation.

When you are possibly contagious you should avoid all public places, including stores, restaurants, schools, and work to ensure that you don't pass your germs to another person. Think of the harm you do to others by transmitting your germs: `````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` -Your actions cost people salary, sick days, and standing with their bosses. -Your actions leave people miserable -Your actions ruin vacations, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations -Your actions put people with existing conditions at risk for death or hospitalization -Your actions cost people money from doctor co-pays, medicine, tissues, and other medical necessities -Your actions could set off a chain reaction of disease outbreak that affects hundreds, if not thousands of people (no exaggeration!

) If you are contagious, you are the gatekeeper of your germs. Don't let them out to play, out to infect other people.It's not right. By deciding that #1 is most important and going to the store or work sick, you're purposely spreading your germs to strangers, family, and acquaintances alike.

You're saying "I'm sorry if you don't want to get sick, but you're a sacrifice I'm willing to make." And that, my friends, is morally wrong. ;)

)

If you're contagious and it's more than a simple cold, I think it's morally right to not expose others. I rarely get sick so it's not of real concern to me, but other people may have much weaker immune systems and pick up everything that's out there.

With some of the nasty crap we have floating around now days I would definetly stay home...if it's a headache and maybe a little cough I would try and tough it out at work, or getting my errands done...but once it comes to body aches and fevers I would be lying on that couch watching the price is right at 10 AM...You never know what new cold will arise and how severe it will be...be cautious and use your best judgement if you don't feel good and need to go out.

I believe you do. When you take it upon yourself to expose others to what condition you are suffering with, you have in my opinion shown a true lack of consideration. If you have been sick and could still be able to pass it on you need to stay isolated.It only takes a few people showing up to school and work while sick to cause a complete company and school to become infected.

How would someone explain their actions of coming in to the area and causing someone to become really ill. Everyone has their own limits on what they believe is moral or ethical. I personally think it is an ethical and moral issue.

Last month, I got a cold, complete with hacking cough, fever, and aches. I also had a pulmonary infarction and multiple pulmonary embolisms, bi-lateral, five months ago which started out feeling as though it were only pleurisy. So, this time, when I felt like I was starting to have a problem with my lungs during the cold, I wanted to go see the pulmonologist - just to be sure.

But what stopped me was that I know the majority of the patients he sees in his office are elderly patients who already have severe respiratory issues. If I walked in there while still contagious... well, the thought was just too much for me and I decided to wait it out (or go to my PCP if it got worse). I am self-employed, so when I get sick, I can choose to stay away from other people by rescheduling client appointments and staying in.

I have the *luxury* of being able to do what I feel is right. But even if I feel it is a moral decision for me, I would not hold it against someone who is scraping by, without benefits, supporting a family by working a job in retail/customer service for coming to work while ill. Unless a person has health benefits (sick pay, health insurance), they simply can't *afford* to be sick and the best they can do is try to cope and try not to expose others.

However, if the benefits are there, then why not take the time off and give oneself time to heal and try to prevent others from contracting a bug?

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.