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Disagree

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I disagree that school districts should bar anyone from bringing peanut products to school

I am allergic to peanuts. You may think I am making a mistake on writing for the wrong side. I am not. Fortunately I am mildly allergic peanuts. When I eat peanuts or even have peanuts in my mouth, the whole day I feel sick with a rancid taste in my mouth, and I feel like the rancid taste coming up from my stomach.

Despite being allergic to peanuts, and knowing that this allergy can be fatal to some, I do not believe that anyone should be barred from bringing peanut products to school. I don't believe for a very small minority who are affected, the vast majority should be deprived of a very nutritious food.

I believe in education. If you have a child who is allergic to peanuts, first, you educate your child. Tell him that unfortunately he/she is allergic to peanuts and under no circumstance should he/she eat any food even if he/she is offered some. Tell the child never ever share their lunch, because peanut products can be hidden as in peanut oil in a chicken sandwich. Your child is your responsibility, not the rest of the childrens' parents.

Next, there should be open communication with the school principal, teachers and school nurse. They should be informed how serious your child reacts to the peanut product. They could be vigilant during lunch time to see that your child doesn't eat other people's lunch.

A note fron school should be sent home to all parents explaining your child's allergy. A request that should they pack a lunch that could have peanut product to remind their children not to share their lunch with the kid, and even better still not to sit with him/her.

This year, my eleven year old son has a class mate who is allergic to nuts. They sent a note that it is so serious that it is fatal. The class is banned from bringing lunches that had peanut products. The children were unhappy. I agree with these children. By eleven, a child should know her serious condition and should know to exercise caution even if her friends over her food.

Incidentally, my second daughter has a very serious allergic reaction to eggs and dairy products. From when she was four, she knew that she should not have these products. She was even very good in explaining to everyone about her allergy. Her eczema is troublesome. Her asthma is fatal, we had to rush her to A & E a few times. But we never requested the school to ban eggs and dairy products.

Banning is just Unfair to the other children.

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