Before I went to the US, ppl have been WARNING me abt the flu.
Asking me not to go, hinting that I’d probably die if I go.
Thank goodness we din back out of the trip and waste that thousand over dollars on airtix.
If not I’d really feel like dying now.
And I went ahead with the trip NOT simply because I can’t bear to forfeit that $1000+, but because I have been doing my “homework” on the flu and asking friends for updates on the conditions in US and felt that it was actually ok to go. Plus, we have been responsible travellers.
Then when I came back, I was flooded with these:
“You went overseas?”
“Where did you go?”
“US?!”
“How long have you been back?”
“Did you self-quarantine?”
“Are you sick?”
“Did you have fever / cough / running nose / sore-throat (lists all flu symptoms)?”
“Are you a carrier?”
“Will it spread?!”
Yes, I know some of you are genuinely concerned…
But I’d seriously prefer to tell you abt the trip than repeat for the 100th time:
“I’m ok, no symptoms of flu, back for 2 wks, self-quarantined for 1 wk aft I’m back, I dunno if I’m a carrier (but u make me sound like I have HIV or sth), and it spreads like the USUAL flu. Thank you. And I had fun, in case u’re actually interested 
“
I know the flu sounds terrible…
People have died from it (but not purely BECAUSE of it) and it’s spreading really fast…
But this is a flu with a special name (was termed Swine Flu because it originated from pigs, and is now termed Novel H1N1 because it’s spreading b/w humans), has medication, has similar symptoms with Seasonal Flu, most ppl who died from H1N1 had other more serious illnesses to start with and its status is raised to that of a pandemic not because of the severity but the spread of the virus.
And if I’m not wrong, even seasonal flu doesn’t have a cure, only medications for its symptoms.
And there were also deaths due to extreme cases of seasonal flu.
I’m not trying to say that H1N1 is the SAME as seasonal flu, neither am I trying to say that we should forgo all efforts in mitigating its spread.
I just think that we should not let it handicap our society’s ability to function properly and efficiently.
And if you are truly concerned (and scared to death by this flu), it’s probably a good idea (and about time) to check out information on it like what is it exactly, its symptoms, how it spreads (and dun spread), preventive measures that should be taken and its current status now (speaking of which, Sg has recently made the transition from containment to mitigation phase. which is probably a much better measure, looking at all the shortage in man-power everywhr).
AND it’s the flu season right now, it’s also the durian season. So for those who are down with the flu, do drink more water, rest well and see a doctor if you need to. Other ppl can just give them a break with the -”OMG do u have H1N1?!”- thing.
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