Flu blue

(Typed at the clinic this morning)

Today's my 4th day of flu symptoms, and I'm at the clinic right now. There are 21 people at any given time here. All of them are either sneezing, coughing or sniffing. So much for the H1N1 scares. People have become stupider than ever.

While I was initially of the opinion that the media was educating the masses, I am now heartily ashamed of subscribing to such views.

There are only 3 things I gathered from the news, all of which pertains to hygiene:

1) Use a tissue/ handkerchief constantly while sneezing/coughing

2) Wash your hands regularly (this is the most over-told and naturally, the most neglected piece of advise)

3) Avoiding crowded areas : for those who are ILL.

As I sit here in the clinic, taking an off from work thanks to some flu I imported from Hyderabad, typing this,

there is a small 3-month baby to my right, cocooned in tons of towels, and to my left, a woman who coughs almost once in 10 seconds. (Why can't the baby's mom understand kids are the most vulnerable to any infection ?) I have now told the cougher-woman that she must use something to cover herself while she coughs. I am shocked at how she does n't understand. How is it that people are so quick to fear and panic, but unforgivably reckless and shameless when it comes to some basic caution, care and hygiene??? Horrible. I feel helpless.I have asked my mother to stay outside of the perimeter of this clinic. Anyone healthy is sure to fall ill with people so terribly careless.

The ill just HAVE to be careful. That's the only way we can prevent any epidemic. It is absolutely selfish of these people to go about sneezing and coughing all over the place, not caring about passing it on to others.

On Friday morning, I travelled to Hyderabad without a mask, emboldened by the fact that noone in the flight or around me showed any flu symptoms. Last night however, I chose to travel with my nose and mouth covered up, that others around me felt safer even if I coughed.

It is ridiculous how quick people are to think I've caught the great big flu.

Caution should be our lesson. Not panic. Not fear.

Every single article on the H1N1 has failed in its purpose, if people cannot draw the right lessons and inferences from them.

Quick Updates

In chronological order:

• Faced my first big huge failure in my work-life last week, when I failed an important exam. It was the first time I was seeing the words "FAIL" on a report card, and I cannot describe what it feels like. All I know is it still hurts, and will continue to prick my conscience and lighten my sleep until I clear it on my second attempt.
• The same day brought me news of qualifying into the finals of a contest at my workplace. This required my team to travel and stay at Hyderabad from Friday through Monday. This contest will is somewhat like the show The Apprentice, where a team is required to analyze a case study and present solutions. This is a 6-week contest, and we will have to be at Hyderabad until we get eliminated from further rounds.

Lost my credit and debit cards and all the cash I had at a mall in Hyderabad on Saturday. I have no idea how the week could have been any worse. Hunted for 2 hours thereafter and made a hundred calls to freeze my account. I'm grateful to my teammates for my survival thereafter.

• .. I'm ill. My very second day at Hyderabad, and I've been ill for the 4th day now. The timing is awful, for people react very bad at this moment. Almost as if you could not have any other flu in the world. I don't know myself, nor does the doctor I saw today. We can only pray it's nothing troublesome. Today was also my first day off work since I joined, thanks to the rules at all offices that require you to stay at home if you have any symptoms or the appearance (read: my red eyes , sniffs and cough) and likelihood of causing panic at work.
• Got my 8th semester results an hour ago, and I have passed with distinction.

All this in just the past 6 days..