The physics of an unethical daycare model that uses illness to maximize profits

Posted by sohkamyung on Monday February 02, 2026 @07:19AM
from the physicsworld.com dept.

https://physicsworld.com/a/the-physics-of-an-unethical-daycare-model-that-uses-illness-to-maximise-profits/

( 4 comments | 3 points | on HN )

Re:The physics of an unethical daycare model that uses illne... by N_Lens on Monday February 02, 2026 @08:01AM (#46855541)

Sounds more like the Mathematics rather than Physics, to be pedantic.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:The physics of an unethical daycare model that uses illne... by beardyw on Monday February 02, 2026 @08:08AM (#46855612)

But kids do get sick a lot without any encouragement.

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Re:The physics of an unethical daycare model that uses illne... by fastThinking on Monday February 02, 2026 @07:50AM (#46855433)

As a parent without nearby family support, this feels uncomfortably real. What the model exposes is a system where illness isn’t a failure but an incentive, quietly shifting the cost of optimization onto families.

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Re:The physics of an unethical daycare model that uses illne... by gus_massa on Tuesday February 03, 2026 @01:32PM (#46875102)

It makes no sense. Are the caregiver paid by hour? I expect most of them paid by month. Hiring a good and cheap caregiver is a nightmare.

I expect two caregivers per room for 2-3 y.o. and 1 for 4-5 y.o. And perhaps one going from room to room just in case. So I don't expect that they can send one home.

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