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Ivan have been rather bored the whole day and decided to check out what is swine flu all about. So pop by Xiong's blog and saw this post featured in the news.
From The Newpaper
WHILE some of his countrymen are eagerly joining in the bashing of Singapore on the Facebook group 'Singapore Sucks', an English teacher from the UK who has been living here for the past five years is leaping to Singapore's defence.
This unlikely knight in shining armour is Singapore permanent resident Anthony Fulwood, 30.
Mr Fulwood, who lives in an executive HDB flat in Bukit Panjang, is so proud of Singapore, he even dubbed himself an 'ambassador' to promote 'life in Singapore'.
That is why when he heard that a group had formed on the social networking site to criticise his adopted homeland on things like the lack of freedom and the ungraciousness of its people, he felt that he should speak up.
'It hurts me when I hear people attacking my home like that. When your home is being attacked, the first thing you do is to stand up and defend your home,' said Mr Fulwood, who is active in grassroots work in Bukit Panjang.
'I don't want a gold star, and no one's going to give me a gold star either, but I just want people to know the truth about life here,' he said.
Mr Fulwood, who has lived in India, Africa and the Middle East, added: 'People always say that the grass is greener overseas. My challenge to them is: Go overseas and see what it's like in another country.
'I am sure that 100 per cent will come back and say that Singapore's better.'
Mr Fulwood listed government policies such as the baby bonus scheme, his HDB home, the community spirit and safety as some of the reasons why he loves Singapore.
He also felt that there was enough political freedom here as people have the right to choose in elections and they have the Speakers' Corner to voice their opinions.
'Yet, people don't want to go to the park. They want to complain in pubs and Facebook groups. These teenagers that complain about things they know nothing about are immature,' said Mr Fulwood.
'They should approach their Member of Parliament, and try to solve the problem. But these people want an audience. That's why they go to Facebook to complain,' he added.
American expatriate Bill Hedman, 52, the managing director of an investment firm said: 'Singapore's great. I have had no problem in the last seven years my wife and I have been here.
Everything works
'Everything is clean, there are good restaurants and everything works. The business climate here is also very good. The Government is very pro-business.'
Addressing one of the main grouses of the Facebook group, the lack of freedom here, Mr Hedman felt that 'Singapore is still a young country, but political and artistic freedom will eventually come'.
The only downside to living here, he said, is the 'hot and humid weather', but that did not bother him much either as he is from Florida, he added, chuckling.
Agreeing, Mr Lin Menuhin, 45, a British expatriate who has been working here for the past three years, said: 'Singapore is a regional hub that's efficient and comfortable, and provides a safe environment to work in.
'As someone who is here for work, to be honest, there is nothing negative I can find about the system.'
Singaporeans have also rallied online to rebuke the comments made by foreigners.
Some observers have noted the irony that Singaporean netizens are defending their country against accusations that they themselves have often made online.
Explaining why Singaporeans are reacting so defensively even though they may agree with the foreign critics, Dr Tan Ern Ser, an associate professor in the Department of Sociology in the National University of Singapore, said it was because Singaporeans wanted to 'reserve the right to criticise ourselves'.
And even though the Facebook group has garnered at least 400 supporters, Dr Sulfikar Amir, from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Nanyang Technological University, said: 'They may not necessarily represent the opinion of the majority of people here, which is why so many others have hit back at the people who have set up and joined this Singapore Sucks group.'
When The New Paper asked the creator of the Facebook group, who gave his name as Mr Wils Cheng, why he created the group, he said in an e-mail reply: 'I did expect some negative reaction but I never thought that the group would be covered by sites like Stomp, Asiaone, The New Paper and Singapore Enquirer.'
It is not known if he is a Singaporean.
Adding that he was 'surprised' to see how his group could have 'stirred up such a big fuss', Mr Cheng said: 'I don't see Japan Times covering the group 'Japan Sucks' or the French AFP writing about the group 'France Sucks'.'
and this is all about swine flu.
FAQS ON SWINE FLU
1. What is Swine Flu (Swine Influenza)?
Swine flu is a respiratory disease affecting pigs that is caused by type A influenza
virus. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but
most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to influenza
outbreaks in humans. It causes high levels of illness but low death rates in pigs.
2. Does Swine Flu affect humans?
Swine flu viruses that cause disease in pigs very rarely affect humans. However,
sporadic human infections with swine flu have occurred. Most commonly, these
cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs but there have also been
documented cases of human-to-human spread of swine flu.
3. How does Swine Flu spread to humans?
Swine flu spreads to humans mainly through contact with infected pigs, which shed
the virus in their saliva, nasal secretions and faeces. Limited human-to-human
transmission can also occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people.
4. Can people catch Swine Flu from eating pork?
There is currently no evidence to suggest that swine flu can be transmitted to
humans from eating pork or pork products that have been thoroughly cooked.
5. What are the symptoms of Swine Flu in humans?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of
regular human seasonal influenza. An early symptom is high fever, and this is
followed by cough, sore throat, runny nose, and sometimes breathlessness a few
days later.
6. How can human infections with swine flu be diagnosed?
To diagnose swine flu, a respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected
within the first 4 to 5 days of illness (when an infected person is most likely to be
shedding the virus). However, some persons, especially children may shed the virus
for 10 days or longer.
7. What medications are available to treat swine flu infection in humans?
There are three different antiviral drugs that are licensed for use in Singapore for the
treatment of influenza: amantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir. Another antiviral drug,
rimantadine, is also licensed for use in the United States for the treatment of
influenza. While most swine flu viruses have been susceptible to all four drugs, the
most recent swine flu viruses isolated from humans are resistant to amantadine and
rimantadine. At this time, the US CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu®)
or zanamivir (Relenza®) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine
flu viruses.
8. Are there any cases of Swine Flu in Singapore?
To date, there have been no human cases of swine flu detected in Singapore.
9. Is there any cause for alarm in Singapore?
No human swine flu cases have been reported in Singapore. MOH is monitoring the
situation closely and will update the public should the situation change.
10. What is MOH doing to ensure that the disease is not
transmitted here?
MOH maintains a comprehensive and well established disease surveillance system
for the early detection of human cases of novel influenzas such as swine flu. In
addition, MOH has sent a medical alert to all medical practitioners and staff in
hospitals, national centres, private medical clinics and polyclinics to update them on
the outbreak of swine flu in the USA and Mexico and to advise them to be vigilant for
any suspect cases. When the situation warrants, MOH will step up public health
measures e.g. quarantine of contacts, issue public health advisories, and work with
other government agencies to screen visitors at our border checkpoints. Further,
MOH has an influenza pandemic preparedness plan in response to a pandemic
situation.
11. Is it safe to visit countries with cases of Swine Flu and will I
be quarantined when I return? What travel precautions should I
take?
There are currently no travel restrictions or quarantine advised by the World Health
Organisation for swine flu. If you intend to travel to areas which have cases of swine
flu (currently – currently – California, Texas and Kansas in the United States; and
Mexico), you should take note of the following measures to minimize your risk of
acquiring swine flu:
Avoid contact with persons with symptoms of influenza
Avoid crowded areas and maintain good ventilation.
Observe good personal and environmental hygiene. Wash hands
thoroughly with soap and water frequently and when they are contaminated
by respiratory secretions e.g. after sneezing.
Maintain good body resistance through a balanced diet, regular
exercise, having adequate rest, reducing stress and not smoking.
As part of national level measures, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)
will be implementing precautionary measures at Singapore Changi Airport in light of
the outbreak of swine flu cases in Mexico and the United States.
From 2300 hours 26 April, thermal scanners will be deployed to screen passengers
on flights arriving from the US. Screening of all arriving passengers will take place
from 0800 hours on 27 April 2009, when thermal scanners will be deployed at the
Arrival Halls of Terminals 1, 2 and 3. From Wednesday (29 April 2009), the
scanners will also be deployed at the Budget Terminal and Seletar Airport. The
scanners will measure the temperature of passengers just before they undergo
immigration checks. Passengers with a higher-than-normal temperature will undergo
a more thorough medical assessment. These precautionary checks are non-intrusive
and have no impact on the time needed by passengers to clear the various airport
processes. Flights in and out of Changi Airport are continuing as normal.
In addition, health alert notices containing information about swine flu will be placed
at the immigration counters for arriving passengers.
12. What should I do if I suspect I have swine flu after returning to
Singapore?
You should consult your doctor as soon as possible and inform your doctor if you
have symptoms of swine flu and had recently travelled to areas which have cases of
swine flu (currently – California, Texas and Kansas in the United States; and Mexico).
13. What should I do if I fall ill overseas?
You should consult a local doctor as soon as possible and refrain from traveling until
you are certified fit by the doctor.
14. Does influenza vaccination help in preventing Swine Flu?
Vaccines are available to be given to pigs to prevent swine influenza. There is no
vaccine to protect humans from swine flu. The seasonal influenza vaccine is unlikely
to protect against H1N1 swine flu viruses.
15. Is it safe to come into contact with live pigs in nature reserves
and the wildlife reserves?
So far, there are no known cases of swine flu in Singapore. However, proper hygiene
practices, such as washing of hands after contact with animals including pigs, should
be maintained.
P/S First swine flu viruses were reported way back in 1930
The spade was full of food 3 minutes ago..
