6 Friday, March 22, 2024 brooklintowncrier.com Last week I got sick. It started with an upset tummy and turned into a cold. Though not Covid-19 positive, I put on a mask and carried on with my day, going to work (remotely) and picking up groceries. I also dropped my kid at hockey practice then sat in the car for an hour shivering. Three days later, after resting over the weekend, I was back to normal and hadn't really missed much. But as I recovered, my husband got sick and a day later my daughter, too. Both tested negative for Covid-19. While she skipped a couple of hockey practices and rested, she was grumpy since the virus had ruined her March break plans. Gone were the girl's movie night, the sleepover party and the mall shopping trip. She did recover in time to enjoy her weekend and make up a few of those spoiled plans. In the meantime, hubby was still sick, his cold so much worse than ours. For two weeks, he lay in bed watching sports having lost his voice and appetite. He, too, got grumpy because his St. Patty's Day plans were getting canceled. He was just completely miserable. I nursed him for the first little while and shared in his grumpiness. Despite my plea to not leave the tissue box on the floor, the dog got into it and had a good ol' time spreading tissue all over the house. I may not have minded too much except he also got into the snotty tissues. Yuck! There were also the scattered cups, discarded clothes and sleep I wasn't getting. This is not a new thing. Whenever hubby gets sick, he acts like he's dying. Meanwhile my daughter and I rest up and we're over it. It makes me wonder. Is it because our immune systems are just stronger? Is he really suffering more than us? I mentioned it to my doctor friend who explained that the estrogen in the female body is thought to have a protective effect against the flu virus. The hormone may slow the spread of some viruses which can give our bodies additional time to go on the offensive. Some believed it is an evolutionary advantage though there's little research to prove it. I quite like the sound of that. It may mean that us moms will now be expected to suck it up when we get sick (not that we don't already) so we can nurse our families. Perhaps the man cold really is a thing. Maybe my hubby isn't making a big fuss over nothing after all and he really is suffering more. So next time the males in your house get a cold, please feel a little sorry for them. The poor things can't help it. Fortunately, mine is now on the mend, although not soon enough to celebrate his recovery with a glass of green beer. That will have to wait a few more days. Brooklin Family Matters: by Leanne Brown The Man Cold Still Waiting…Still Waiting…Still Waiting… For the new hospital to move forward, Premier Ford needs to release $3 million for the capital planning grant. He promised he would do it. He made that promise - from Whitby! Send your feedback to whitby.ca/newhospital. A promise is a promise.