TGIF!!!!

First off, everybody wish SoupNazzi a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Love ya Brother!

Warning, there is a rant coming next.

You have been warned.

Dastard called me yesterday and told me that the local high school has had some cases of MSRA.  For those not familiar with the acronym it means Methicillan-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.  It is becoming common in nursing homes and hospital settings because those residents have lowered immune responses and allows this particular bacteria to gain hold.  Now we as members of this earth are really in contact with this bug quite frequently and it doesn't bother anyone unless it gets in a cut or open sore or you are already immune compromised.  Then it can get nasty in the form of boils and infections.

Ok, back to the story.  Bottom line was that one child has had to have surgery and is one twice a day IV antibiotics because of this bug he caught at the school.  In fact, this was kept under wraps for at least a week or more.  It has been confirmed that the athletic department had the football players come in to the school over the past weekend to clean and disinfect the locker room and fitness center without their parents knowledge.  (The kid had surgery the Thursday prior to the clean up) 

Rumors started circulating around the school among the kids and it came to the point where some of them were refusing to suit up for PE in the locker rooms.  Now remember, at this point nothing has been said to the students or the parents.  So, we weren't given the chance to educate the kids about this particular bug. 

So why are my panties in a twist?  It seems (and I recognize and emphasize that) that the athletic department wanted to keep this quiet so they could continue playing football.  Why have the kids come in to clean and sanitize?  Are they trained to do this as part of the public health requirement? (sarcasm there)  Why not tell the parents of the community service their children are performing? (again, sarcasm)  What about the rest of the school and students?  Do they not have the same right of sanitation in the school?

My rant is one that is as old as the scholarships that are distributed to high school athletes.  I remember seeing this in my high school some 20+ years ago (wow, it's really been that long) and nothing appears to change.  Why is there such an emphasis on the physical prowess of children instead of the mental?  Unfortunately if extends beyond age groups into professional athletes.  The salaries that these people are paid is astronomical compared to those who have toiled to gain and education and utliize that skill.

Granted, these athletes can do things that I cannot.  I won't deny that one little bit.  But, I can do things they cannot.  So, why are they revered more than someone in my position, or better yet, a teacher?  The preferential treatment that athletics receives in relation to academia is a sad testament to our society.  I know that athletics brings in more money to the school than academia, but doesn't anyone else see this as a bit skewed?  Shouldn't we be rewarding the achievements of those students who can use their brains instead of abusing their brawn?  (oops that's another rant)

Ok, I'm off the soapbox. 

Would you Rather
Be granted the answers to any 3 questions
Or
Be granted the ability to resurrect one person?

Keep on Go and Have a Great Weekend!

Go Huskers !