For how long have hourly employees been going to work sick? For as long as they don't have sick leave. If I were to show symptoms I would get laid off. I can make 4k a week or $561 Pennsylvania unemployment so with that said I've worked sick many times. The problem lies with cheap ass employers that only care about the bottom line and not there employees well being. Now is the time for a cultural shift in our thinking or many many more will die. I'd rather pay one employee like he or she was at work verses them risking infecting the whole plant. To my knowledge going to work sick hasn't been a crime it has been expected in our society.