As a physician at Boston Medical Center and Codman Square Health Center, I was not surprised to read that Boston’s low-income neighborhoods bear the brunt of the flu (Page A1, Jan. 14). I meet people all the time who simply cannot take time off from work when they are sick for fear of losing their jobs or inability to go without a day’s pay.

The Boston Public Health Commission declared a public health emergency as it saw 10 times as many flu cases compared with the same time last year. Everyone should be able to get treatment when they are sick — to take care of themselves, and to avoid infecting their co-workers.