You sicken me

   

Other than Nathan Lane's big break, I think this commercial illustrates a great truth.   Have you ever noticed that when you feel the worst, everyone wants to have nothing to do with you?  It's true!  Maybe you have experienced a conversation like this:

"How are you?"

"Well, actually I'm feeling sick..."

"What?! (holds up fingers in the shape of an X) Don't come near me!  I don't want to catch it!"

It's interesting that upon our darkest hour of need for care and healing, our family and closest friends treat us as though we have ushered in "Black Death."  

Now to be fair I have been on the receiving end of a sneeze and have not been so gracious.  I mean no one wants to get sick.  But why is it our gut reaction is to put a bell around the neck of someone who is ill and yell, "Leper!"

Perhaps I'm looking at it the wrong way.  Maybe it's incredibly insensitive for a person to even interact with humanity when sick.  We who fall victim to disease should remain in bed enveloped by darkness until released from said anguish.  This would of course prevent outbreak.  Sure the death rate might increase, but at least those of us lucky enough to avoid "the plague" could breath fresh, uncontaminated air.  

WRONG!  

I think the issue here is consideration.  On both ends.  If we considered others above ourselves we might be courteous enough as sick people to keep distance; and as well people treat the other with some compassion.  Is this too much to ask?  Apparently.