Flu hits area residents in pocket book

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The flu season is in full swing here in the Golden Triangle area.

As it turns out, the flu has just as big of an impact on local businesses as it does families, just not in the way you’d expect.

“It has been wild is how it’s been. It started with a bang yesterday,” said Jennifer Cougle.

Jennifer Cougle is a local pharmacist and co-owner of BJ’s Family Pharmacy in Starkville. She says she’s witnessed the flu virus intensify over the past few weeks.

“Typically what we’ve seen so far is– the end of last week one person in the family would have it, then by Monday somebody else would come back. It usually takes a couple days for everybody to get it,” said Cougle.

In fact, she says the virus is so bad this year it’s having an effect on their business.

“We’ve actually had some of our own people here get sick. So, it’s a lot of extra work, which we’re glad to be here to do it for people. But it’s been a lot,” said Cougle.

A few blocks down the street, First Presbyterian Church Child Care is facing a similar issue.

“It puts a strain on businesses like daycares. If your workers don’t come you may not have enough staff to open for the day,” said Child Care director Amanda Corley.

“We’ve had at least one teacher every other week that is affected. Either their child or their sick, something to that matter. We’ve had one teacher that her child’s actually had it 3 times in a row. It’s been very, you know if you’re not on salary, that hurts them financially,” said Corley.

Even when a child is sick, parents are still paying for daycare services.

“They have to pay that to save their spot, so once their kid does get well…’Hey I have a place for my child to go.'”

And as if work and school weren’t enough of an issue, the cost of medication alone can also impact a family’s finances.

“I have known parents who end up spending up to like 400 just on Tamaflu just to cover everybody because they want to be sure that everybody in their family gets it,” said Corley.

Child care professionals said the solution to avoiding this ripple effect is really quite simple.

“If you don’t keep your kid at home, then you affect other children and it is a trickle-down factor,” said Corley.

The CDC recommends flu shots for everyone six months of age and older.