US labor absences at record high
受疫情影响，美国劳工缺勤率创历史新高
The number of US workers absent from work due to illness is at an all-time high and shows little sign of abating, The Guardian recently reported.
《卫报》近日报道称，目前美国因病缺勤的劳工人数正处于历史最高水平，且几乎没有减弱的迹象。
More than a million people have called in sick every month in the past three years, the report said.
报道称，在过去三年里，每个月都有超过100万人请病假。
In 2022, an average of 1.58 million workers were absent each month, and 19 million in total were absent last year, the highest number since records began in 1976.
在2022年，平均每月缺勤的劳工数为158万，去年全年共缺勤1900万人，这是自1976年有记录以来的最高数字。
The last time monthly absenteeism fell below 1 million was in November 2019.
上一次月缺勤人数低于100万还是在2019年11月。
According to the report, the reasons for this are related to the COVID-19 pandemic, long COVID, acute diseases and the need for workers to leave their jobs to take care of their families.
报道分析说，出现这种情况的原因可能和新冠疫情、新冠导致的“长新冠”急性疾病、劳工需要离岗照顾家人等有关。
Long COVID is likely to lead to an increase in sick-leave rates; as such chronic illnesses may require workers to take more sick-leave.
“长新冠”可能会导致病假率上升，因为“长新冠”造成的慢性疾病可能需要劳工请更多的病假。
Experts say more research is needed to know the cause and treatment of long COVID and there is still much uncertainty about its recovery.
专家们说，需要做更多的研究才能知道“长新冠”的原因和治疗方法，目前关于“长新冠”的恢复情况还有很多不确定性。
Even those with mild or asymptomatic symptoms may still be infected with long COVID.
那些即使是轻度或无症状感染的人仍有可能感染“长新冠”。
The report said workplace absenteeism rates in the US are likely to continue to be higher than normal.
报道称，美国的工作场所缺勤率可能会继续高于正常水平。
