Since then, school policies have softened significantly. At L.A. Unified, for example, parents are directed to send their children to school if they have a mild cold or cough. The main symptoms that require keeping a child home are fever of 100.4 and above, vomiting or diarrhea, according to district instructions on "How to Safely Send Your Student to School."
In 2013, on a particularly challenging morning, my coffee machine broke right after my son was diagnosed with leukemia. I was utterly exhausted and scared, needing that caffeine boost to manage my emotions and responsibilities.