Australian Election Time and a sick kid

Shortly after we moved here, Australia got a new prime minister.  She wasn't actually elected into the position so she promised an chance to vote for her.  So, about 5 weeks ago, she announced that a federal election would be held on 21 August.  Now, this really means nothing for Jay and I as we cannot vote.  You have a be an Australian citizen in order to vote.  However, just like in the States, the media and mail are full of campaign stuff.  Campaign news, ads, yard signs, phone calls, and junk mail filling our mailbox for the last 5 weeks. It has been a little bit interesting to hear all the local and federal issues, but I will be so glad when it's over.
The weekly newspaper had a few interesting things in it this week as they gear up for elections.  There was a full page on voting procedures.  They use paper ballots and a voter has to vote in order of preference.  For example, if there are 8 candidates for the House, then you number your first choice as 1, second as 2, and so on.  A voter is required to label all 8 boxes or the ballot is invalid.  This makes for some interesting political ads that ask you to vote for Candidate A as #1 and Candidate C as #8.  It's like vote good for me and smear the other guy too!  Interesting. 
As soon as Tom came out of his classroom on Wednesday afternoon, he started crying.  It is very unlike him and I didn't really know what was going on.  He climbed into his bed and took an 1 1/2 hour nap after school.  He did it on his own, without me asking him to.  That's when I was pretty sure he wasn't feeling well.  He woke up in time for dinner, but was running a low fever of about 99.5.  Of course, I didn't have any sort of children's meds on hand for if his fever got higher.  Jay ran to the grocery store, but they didn't have anything at all.  The local chemist shops all close by 6 pm.  By the time Tom woke up in the morning, his fever was about 101.4.  It was supposed to be my free day since Sam was at school, but I got to take care of Tom instead.  We dropped Joe off at school, went to the chemist for medicine, and then to get my smash repair quotes.  Around lunch time, Tom's head was really hurting so he went to bed again.  He was just pretty miserable all day.  He then woke us up three times last night.  This morning, his fever was higher at 102.4 so no school again today.  His head doesn't hurt as long as the medicine doesn't wear off.  About 4 hours between doses is all we get before his head starts to hurt again.  Hopefully, he'll be feeling better by Monday.  Poor kid.