Hurricane Irene flattened the New York City area in August 2011. My husband and I both rely heavily on New Jersey Transit to get to work. Irene came through over a weekend. Monday arrived and NJ Transit was flooded out. Not going to work never entered into to the picture. We drove around the flooded highways and found the bus depot in East Brunswick, NJ. I took the Wall Street Bus, and arrived to work (as I recall) even a little bit early. My colleagues (who know where I live) stared when I walked in. After all, it was Monday morning, where else would I be?
I can no longer say that "this thing" has never cost me sick leave. What I do know is that I don't like giving into it. I am much more likely to count my bruises and go to work anyway, particularly on day when I'm booked.