As fears of a swine flu pandemic spread, President Obama and public health officials are urging Americans to stay home from work and keep their children home from school if they have flu symptoms.

But nearly 4 in 10 private sector workers lack even one paid sick day, and many more face disciplinary action if they do call in sick. In a world where diseases mutate and spread across the globe in weeks, Americans need paid sick days to protect our health and our economy.