Law would have provided protection

Law would have provided protection

School has begun for most Milwaukee students. This means flu season is just around the corner. It's the time of year many parents begin to worry about the impossible decision they must make if their child gets sick or is forced to be around other children who are sick.

Why? A lot of parents don't have paid sick days that will allow us to stay home and care for children until they are well. Parents are in a position to choose between staying home with their children or sending them to school so they can work. This not only places kids at risk of struggling in the classroom, but also of getting sicker and possibly spreading the cold or flu. It's a losing battle for the parents and the community.

If Milwaukee's paid sick days law wouldn't have been stolen by Gov. Scott Walker, working parents could easily keep sick children home and have the job protection needed to keep our children, schools and communities as healthy as possible.

As a working parent, I have more than enough to worry about during this season without worrying about losing pay and possibly losing a very much-needed job. It's time for elected officials to make paid sick days a priority in Wisconsin.

Torrie Moffett 
Milwaukee

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