Went for our flu vaccine shots today. Weird experience. It was a 'group outing' of sorts -- 6 adults, including 3 foreign domestic helpers, and 5 kids. I mention the 3 non-Singaporean ladies because it all depends on where you are in this world, doesn't it? Many, back in their homeland, might be susceptible to infection by the virus(es) when the pandemic comes but can ill afford the necessary vaccination and medication. But here they are, these 3 ladies, who have, for whatever reason, found themselves working here, and they are fortunate enough to have the jab. I wonder how many employers there are who are getting their domestic helpers vaccinated.
According to WHO, the world is ill-prepared for the impending flu pandemic. That is really scary. Then, there is the 'unknown' quality of H5N1 (avian flu virus). Will it or will it not / when will it mutate into a virus that spreads from human to human? Will we develop a vaccine quickly enough to deal with this strain?
More info for us here in the Singapore Bird Flu website.
And, while we are worrying about all this and whether there are enough vaccine and medicine stocks here (we are assured by birdflu.gov.sg that Singapore is stockpiling these), perhaps we should be paying more attention to South Asia, where those who survived the earthquake now have to face winter. According the the WHO website, some US$27.57 million is needed to care for them.
Right here in Singapore, there is now a Singapore Scout Association appeal for wool blankets, winter clothing and tents. Before you rush to donate anything to 1 Bishan Street 12 (from today to next Friday), their winter temperatures fall below zero degrees. I hope Singaporeans won't give the volunteer packers a hard time by donating all kinds of blankets, winter clothing and tents. I remember some years ago, a few of us helped collect and deliver (to the collection centre) donated items for earthquake victims in a similar region and we got all sorts of stuff including some which were not suitable, and which I will not list in detail. In the end, we had to make an extra trip to donate the unrequired stuff to another place. Sigh...
According to WHO, the world is ill-prepared for the impending flu pandemic. That is really scary. Then, there is the 'unknown' quality of H5N1 (avian flu virus). Will it or will it not / when will it mutate into a virus that spreads from human to human? Will we develop a vaccine quickly enough to deal with this strain?
More info for us here in the Singapore Bird Flu website.
And, while we are worrying about all this and whether there are enough vaccine and medicine stocks here (we are assured by birdflu.gov.sg that Singapore is stockpiling these), perhaps we should be paying more attention to South Asia, where those who survived the earthquake now have to face winter. According the the WHO website, some US$27.57 million is needed to care for them.
Right here in Singapore, there is now a Singapore Scout Association appeal for wool blankets, winter clothing and tents. Before you rush to donate anything to 1 Bishan Street 12 (from today to next Friday), their winter temperatures fall below zero degrees. I hope Singaporeans won't give the volunteer packers a hard time by donating all kinds of blankets, winter clothing and tents. I remember some years ago, a few of us helped collect and deliver (to the collection centre) donated items for earthquake victims in a similar region and we got all sorts of stuff including some which were not suitable, and which I will not list in detail. In the end, we had to make an extra trip to donate the unrequired stuff to another place. Sigh...
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