School 'Peanut Gallery' Raises Eyebrows

Fox News ^ | 01-04-05 | WestVirginiaRebel

[Motherhood IS a career]

why is the whole school being inconvenienced to accommodate one (or two) individual(s)?

I haven't read the whole article, but is this really the case -- it's one or two individuals inconveniencing an entire school? (I doubt it, but I suppose anything is possible.)

I know that in my daughter's 4-year old pre-school class alone (consisting of 16 kids at a private Catholic school,) there are 3 who have peanut allergies. As a result, parents are asked to cooperate to ensure the safety of all the little ones, since kids at this age will freely share their food.

Those who are not familiar with food allergies might want to do a little research before they claim that food allergies are not "bona fide" health issues (as one poster suggested.) Food allergies can kill.

Where they came from? Modern medicine is still working on that, but one theory is that we tend to develop allergies to things we consume in large quantities. So in this country, where peanuts are such a common food for children, there are a lot of peanut allergies. (In Japan, for example, there are more rice allergies than in most other countries; In Italy, it's tomatoes.)

Anyway, I doubt that an entire school is being invonvenienced for one or two individuals. (But like I said, I haven't had time to read the entire article.) It is probably because peanut allergies are so rampant (probably the most common allergy among kids) that these rules have been set in place. And while there are many other types of food allergies, you'll notice that not every food allergy is being considered -- only the most common one. Although I'm sure that's what the outcry is all about -- today, it's peanuts, tomorrow, who knows? Right? Well, I just don't think there's need to panic. (When schools start to ban peanuts, corn, wheat, soy, milk and all the other common allergens, well, maybe then I'll start getting a little upset, but for now, I'll just chill.) I mean, is it really THAT hard to cooperate?

Maybe the schools go too far, but since every kid can't be supervised as to each morsel that enters their mouth, and school administrators don't want the legal liability (can't say I blame them) it isn't unreasonable to ask parents to cooperate. How'd you like to be the parent who's responsible for some kid's death because your child shared her peanut crackers with some allergic kid without knowing the harmful effects that such a simple act of generosity could bring?

Or worse, how'd you like to be the parent of the severely allergic child? (Don't they have enough problems?) Of course, it is the allergic child's parent's responsibility to teach their child to stay away from whatever they're allergic to. However, realistically, depending on the child's age, strict adherence may not be possible when unsupervised.

I'm sorry, but I just don't think that cooperation and simple consideration is so hard, and it's just not enough to make such a fuss about. That's my point of view.

[mudblood]

"See here"

Yeah, I have a problem with that post. Its antagonistic, to begin with. Also, he makes a point of "exhaling slowly to spread the penut plasma" around. So he's intentionally trying to harm people with penut alergies, should they be on the plane. That's a little crazy, isn't it? For one, its a waste of time - I doubt it would hurt anyone, but if it did then that would make him guilty of willfully causing harm to someone. If that person died, I'd call for the killer's head. And if God exists, that person would burn in hell. All this based on his own post, where he admits that he intentionally does this to cause harm.

[Politicalmom]

Excuse me, but children would be BETTER supervised in a small room with an adult to check food, than to try to put ALL peanut products in one area and hope that none was overlooked.

I think that the courtesy should be shown by the person with the problem, personally. I don't think that it is fair to impose it on everyone.

[twinzmommy]

From this one : http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/681_1819.asp <> So, 1/4th of 1% have a severe enough allergy to cause the severe symptoms. It's not every peanut allergic adult or child that is in danger. That's what I was looking for. I think what I'm saying -- there is a difference in "my child is allergic to peanuts therefore they aren't allowed" and "my child has had a near death experience due to his peanut allergy." Make sense? Personally, I would be homeschooling a child that is that allergic. I homeschool mine who isn't. And I'm wondering if you read my response to you initially. I'm not ignorant of allergies and allergic reactions. I've had my share of epinephrine. Unfortunately. My sympathy goes out to your kiddos, at the same time, I see the other side. But then that's because that is how I am. I avoid what I can, and I understand that crap happens. I can't always guarantee no exposure to shrimp (or iodine, or tomatoes, or perfume or anything else) but I minimize it on my own. If someone bathes in Georgio, I don't hang out with them. There is no way in an elementary school situation to guarantee no peanuts. No way at all. I feel for your kids, your family. . .it's tough. Please though, when discussing it, clarify that that your child is one of the 1/4th of 1% that has serious reactions. That's a different story than the others who are just "allergic" and can avoid it. ~B.

[PennsylvaniaMom]

I am truly sorry for your sons' afflication. With the violent reactions noted, has you ped. ever required that they keep an Epipen at the school for their use in an emergency? Or why doesn't the school cafeteria (with the great liability of serving kids who may be allergic) keep an Epi kit in the with first aid supplies?

I am allergic to the iodine in shellfish...I cannot eat any fish due to the risk of cross containination. I also don't eat out (sadly) very often because of the risk of corrupting the integrity of my product by someone who has handles lobster or shrimp. The peanut allergy is five times worse...peanut oil in something as benign and presumed safe as a french fry can cause systemic reactions (worse symp. being the swelling of the trach.) As I noted above, if you don't already have an EpiPen...please get your doc to prescribe it for you.

[twinzmommy]

Gahhh! I need to fix that!

From this one :

http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/681_1819.asp

"The prevalence of allergy to peanut products is approximately 1% of the U.S. population, and one out of four allergic individuals has severe allergy, with severe respiratory or gastro-intestinal symptoms."

So, 1/4th of 1% have a severe enough allergy to cause the severe symptoms. It's not every peanut allergic adult or child that is in danger. That's what I was looking for. I think what I'm saying -- there is a difference in "my child is allergic to peanuts therefore they aren't allowed" and "my child has had a near death experience due to his peanut allergy." Make sense?

Personally, I would be homeschooling a child that is that allergic. I homeschool mine who isn't. And I'm wondering if you read my response to you initially. I'm not ignorant of allergies and allergic reactions. I've had my share of epinephrine. Unfortunately. My sympathy goes out to your kiddos, at the same time, I see the other side. But then that's because that is how I am. I avoid what I can, and I understand that crap happens. I can't always guarantee no exposure to shrimp (or iodine, or tomatoes, or perfume or anything else) but I minimize it on my own. If someone bathes in Georgio, I don't hang out with them. There is no way in an elementary school situation to guarantee no peanuts. No way at all. I feel for your kids, your family. . .it's tough.

Please though, when discussing it, clarify that that your child is one of the 1/4th of 1% that has serious reactions. That's a different story than the others who are just "allergic" and can avoid it.

~B.

[PennsylvaniaMom]

PS...to any other iodine allergic (shellfish) FReepers...another suggestion. Get a MedicAlert tag (you have to get the iodine one engraved--for some reason, it is not one that is stocked). But as even topical absorption can cause a near fatal reaction, it is a good idea to have the alert on you in the event you cannot speak for yourself in the ER.

PaMom

[Conservative Infidel]

I did read the article. It is one child. I, too, know the problems with food allergies. My brother had a severe allergy to wheat growing up. That is not such a problem today, but back in the 60's, everything contained wheat. There was a special bread made with rice flour that we had to travel 30 miles one way to purchase from a special store. Back then, there were only 3 breakfast cereals that did not have wheat involved in the manufacture/processing. My brother could never go to any kid's birthday parties--there might be cake. He was not allowed to eat ANYTHING at any of his friend's houses. Therefore, I do know about food allergies. However, my parents did not insist that everyone in school abandon wheat eating and demand a segregated "peanut gallery" for those inclined to eat wheat. We just coped and helped my brother do the same.

[PilloryHillary]

Both kids see an allergist...We have 3 epipens for each kid, the kids go nowhere without one. The youngest has a epipen at the school office. We also keep a healthy supply of benadryl, zyrtec and pepcid on hand. Both kids are allergic to fish and shellfish, so I undertand your concerns about food safety and cross contamination. My oldest son went to Wendy's and had a fried chicken sandwich during Lent....ended up in the ER with a bad attack of hives and anaphylaxis. The Wendy's must have fried the chicken in the same grease as the fish. That's all it takes with some people. Others aren't as sensitive. Needless to say, he doesn't eat out much anymore.

[knees_knees]

As I posted earlier, my son, who is now 31...has a severe peanut allergy....as well as seafood, shellfish, tomato, all citrus fruits, peas, beans and eggs...and virtually all nuts. His whole life...I told him...ASK what is in the food or what it is cooked in. If in doubt...order meat and potatoes...which has really worked out well. Of Couse many cosmetics for women has walnut shells in it....so now i guess the added question is what is on your lips...lol. It is up to the parent to teach the child what he can or can't eat......oh did i mention the skin allergies...to most lotions and creams....fun fun fun.

I took it as my responsibilty to make sure he had what he could eat...and stayed away from what he could not. It was NOT MY JOB to police what others ate...only what he ate. Hey, it worked out well....he is still alive.

[Two-Bits]

Please do not take this as giving you a hard time. I am sorry that your children are faced with these obstacles but
I am an unyoung woman and peanut butter/peanuts has been a staple as common as white bread and milk for all the time I have been blessed to be on this earth. For all those years, I have never once seem, heard, or knew of anyone who had died from allergies to peanuts. Only in the last ten years has this been an issue. My question is why is this a life threatening issue now and not then in the forties, fifties, sixties, seventies, eighties etc.......Again, I not trying to give you a hard time but I would really like to know so I can understand this better.

[dvwjr]

Terrible about your children's peanut allergies, but they would be safer if they were quarantined at lunch. Their physical deficiencies should not impact those whose economic status dictates peanut-butter sandwiches as a lunch staple. It is unfair, as is Life but imposing their physical handicaps on others is unreasonable.

This comes from someone who carries an Epipen due to the risk of dying from a simple bee sting... It's my problem. The quarantined room (area) could admit those children who agree not to have peanut products so that your children would not be socially isolated at lunch. Sort of like the smokers/non-smokers areas in restaurants except with a much stricter school enforcement for the obvious health reasons. I understand this is elementary school, but what happens in middle school, jr High and High school. Will the 'peanut' ban continue for their complete public school career?

Best of luck,

dvwjr

[PilloryHillary]

There seem to be many reasons that food allergies are on the rise....
http://preventdisease.com/news/articles/peanut_allergies_more_common.shtml
Nut and peanut allergies may be getting more common in children, doubling over the past five years in the United States, researchers reported.
Peanut allergies affect an estimated 1.5 million Americans and 200 people die every year from severe allergic reactions, called anaphylactic reactions, to peanuts.

[OldFriend]

My son is nearly 30.......a little boy he played with when he was a toddler nearly died when he went into shock from an allergic reaction to peanuts.

Is that far back enough for you.

Having been in the health field for nearly 45 yrs. I assure you that because you did not hear of something does not mean it didn't exist.

The means of disseminating information has changed greatly......as I am sure you noticed since you are online.

[Motherhood IS a career]

However, my parents did not insist that everyone in school abandon wheat eating and demand a segregated "peanut gallery" for those inclined to eat wheat.

You're right, the parents do not have a right to DEMAND that others help them manage their children's food allergies or be provided with segregated eating areas. (By "abandon wheat eating" I'm sure you meant to say "abandon wheat eating AT SCHOOL")

But if they asked politely not to send peanut butter sandwiches to school (as they do at my daughter's school now,) I would graciously comply -- 1) because it's not a hardship, unless I choose to view it as a hardship, and 2) because I would feel some inkling of compassion for parents and children who have to manage such difficult health issues. (No, it's not my problem that these kids have some weird allergy to an otherwise harmless substance that most people can eat freely, yet it can kill these children within minutes... and for that I'll count my blessings.)

However, if I was the parent of a child with a life-threatening allergy, I certainly wouldn't rely on teachers or other parents to safeguard my child, even if special accommodations were allowable.

Also, I'm guessing that it's not the parents who are making the demands, but rather the school administrators who are trying to reduce their risk of liability.

Now I can't even read the full article because the link doesn't seem to be working, but roughly 1.5 million people suffer from a severe allergy to peanuts in the United States according the American Academy of Asthma and Immunology. That's a lot of people.

[superskunk]

Actually, peanut allergies can be deadly. If there's only one student with a severe allergy, it would make more sense to give him or her an isolated lunch area. It might make the kid feel bad, but it will keep him/her alive. Just doesn't make sense to set up a "peanut gallery". Sounds like more liberal idiocy at work in OUR schools.

[thackney]

"they're talking about you" ping

[bk1000]

"Better yet, will a child that brings a peanut butter sandwich to school, be subject to imprisonment for injury or death of an allergic student?"

Thanks to zero tollerance policies, the PB&J sandwich will be classified as a weapon. The child will be taken away, handcuffed, in full mop gear.

[Motherhood IS a career]

It might make the kid feel bad, but it will keep him/her alive. I think you're right, that does make more sense. I finally got to the article by going directly to Fox.com (since the link doesn't work for me.) It's just one kid, but he's very unusual in that "He does not have to ingest it for his air to constrict and he loses the ability to breathe," the parents wrote in a statement. "We have the medical evidence that shows that our son has one of the worst allergies on record for this food."

Poor kid.

Segregating the kids with peanuts seems backwards, but I'm guessing that the school administrators think it's less traumatic for the peanut kids to sit together (since there is always likely to be more than one, and they can keep each other company) than the allergic kid to sit all by his lonesome every single day.

Also, like the "Pledge of Allegiance", I'm guessing the kids could give two twits about the issue, and the parents are the ones making the big stink.

Only in America, can this be a real problem.

[superskunk]

I'm guessing the kids could give two twits about the issue, and the parents are the ones making the big stink.

That's usually the case, isn't it. I see your argument for the peanut gallery, as long as it doesn't become overly burdensome for the school. It is rare for an allergy to be that severe, but not unheard of. Hope they work it all out so everyone is happy.