(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.
3 comments:
Am I the only one drawing immense pleasure from this "epidemic"? Ok, pandemic. Whatever.
My plan is to have some fun while people are still in panic-mode. Walk into crowded areas and pseudo-cough uncontrollably; if possible, directing some of it at people with faces covered! It'll be fun! :D
A 3 month old baby?! I think this must have been at the waiting room in the Dr. clinic... Baap re! Some people are just complete idiots. Maybe it's no surprise, those clowns could have been there because they didn't take any measures in the first place!
You still be careful OK!
@Nepharius - On way to the Hyderabad airport, my teammates told our taxi driver that I had swine flu. The poor guy stopped the car on the highway, and refused to drive. :)
One good advantage of all the panic, though, is that you get to stay at home and not go to office. YAY!
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