Thread by @jillpromoli

4 years ago today. This is the last picture I ever took of Jude (left). Later that day the school called to tell me Isla had spiked a fever, and I first learned of the 'nasty bug' that had already affected almost everyone in class. Some kids out for weeks, 1 in the hospital. 1/10

For her it was mild, better in a day, home for a few. 4 days later when Jude woke up with a low-grade fever we had no idea he'd die that afternoon.

One sick kid in a classroom quickly became a classroom full of sick kids who all took it home to their families. Someone died. 2/10

Here, then gone. Laughing, then still.

The autopsy report later conclusively determined influenza B as the sole cause of death. The flu.

3/10

Today is different. In normal years few people are thinking about the flu at this point, and that's especially true this year. Our #PhysicalDistancing helped bring an abrupt end to a terrible flu season as #COVID19 has taken hold and changed all our lives. 4/10

There will never be a day in our lives we won't think about the flu and what it's taken from us. All we hope now is we can take the lessons from what happened to Jude, in our community, and help prevent others from losing their lives and loved ones from preventable illness. 5/10

We face many questions as we look to the months ahead and find our new normal. Where do we start? How do we do it safely without letting #COVID19 surge out of our ability to manage it? How do we reopen without raising the rate of infection so we avoid overwhelming hospitals? 6/10

What about schools? These days are hard, but all decisions must be made with caution. Kids are the best. They're also exceptionally good at spreading illness and any discussion re: reopening schools should not only include risk to kids, but to anyone they have at home. 7/10

What lessons will we take with us from #COVID19? Will we all gain new respect for #publichealth? Are we ready to prioritize health and safety in policy, and vote for representatives who will do that? Will we see policies that make #sickdays affordable and accessible? 8/10

One sick kid in a classroom quickly became a classroom full of sick kids who all took it home, and Jude died.

There are no perfect answers right now, but I hope we all come out of this with a better understanding of how much our health and lives depend on each other. 9/10

Stay well, all, and #StayHome unless essential. These days are hard, but it won't always be like this. Let's do everything we can now to prevent as many stories like ours as we possibly can, together.

I love you, Jude. ♥🦁

#forjudeforeveryone 10/10

forjudeforeveryone.com/2020/04/17/it-…