I know a number of you are concerned over the H1N1 virus. As such, I will clarify some stuffs over the blog.

1) WHO (World Health Organisation) had raised the alert to the highest. Reason for the raise is due to the geographical spread and not the severity of the virus.
---> Meaning: They raise the level to the highest because there are alot of countries with infected cases. However, if you look at the number of deaths, it is not that serious.

2) For Singapore, as far as my knowledge, we have not reached the highest level.

3) The current situation for Singapore is: People who are in contact with infected cases are under Home Quarantined Order.

4) Only when the situation is more serious, the policy will change. Meaning: No one will be quarantined. Resources will be spent from contract tracing possible cases to helping real infected cases. This means that when you do have H1N1 virus, you just need to go to normal doctor to get cured. No need to go to Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

5) DO NOT PANIC. We have not reach that stage as of 19th June 2009. So fret not.

What should we do?
6) Those come back from infected countries should practise good responsibility by not going out if they are not feeling well already.

7) Please check on Ministry of Health (MOH) website http://www.moh.gov.sg/mohcorp/default.aspx to check if the country you visited is one of the countries with infected cases. So far, these are the countries: USA, Mexico, Canada, Chile, Australia, UK, Argentina, Japan, Spain, Thailand, Panama, Philippines, Dominican Republic, China, Germany, New Zealand, France, Italy, Korea, India, Switzerland, Vietnam, Malaysia, and of course Singapore.

8) If you think you are not feeling well, please refrain in going out and see a doctor asap. The early the detection, the safer you will be.

MOE Statement on Influenza A(H1N1) -- (one of the links I got from MOH website)

"MOE statement on Influenza A (H1N1)
With the upcoming June holidays, MOE has advised schools to observe any
travel advisories by MOH and to continue to review their travel plans, particularly
to affected areas. The well-being of students is of utmost importance to schools.
Principals will also consider the views and concerns of parents when reviewing
school trips. Parents' consent is sought for all overseas school trips.
Some parents have asked about contingency plans in the event of a school
closure. Although it does not seem likely at this point, if school closure should
ever become necessary, schools are prepared to implement various strategies
so that students can continue learning. Every school is ready to activate a weekly
learning plan suitable for their students should students be unable to attend
school due to closure.

Schools will deliver lessons and monitor students' progress through various
channels, such as mail, telephone, hand delivery, email and the school’s learning
management system. Students will be guided so that they can continue learning
from textbooks, school-prepared materials or internet resources. Assignments
will be set, marked and returned so that students continue to receive feedback on
their learning.

In such a contingency, schools will keep parents informed of the learning
activities and accompanying study schedule. This will allow parents to play a
complementary role by helping to monitor their children's progress in following
the lessons prepared by the teachers.

There are currently no plans to postpone or cancel the upcoming 2009 GCE Oand
A-Level Mid-Year Mother Tongue written examinations on 1 Jun 2009, and
the 2009 GCE O- and A-Level Mid-Year Mother Tongue Oral and Listening
Comprehension examinations scheduled in Jul/Aug 2009. As an additional
precautionary measure, schools may arrange for candidates who are unwell to
take their examinations in separate examination rooms.

In the event that there is a postponement of examinations, all candidates will be
given due notice and sufficient time to prepare for their papers.

Our schools will continue to remain vigilant in monitoring the well-being of their
staff and students. MOE is in close consultation with MOH and will activate other
appropriate measures should there be a need to do so."

9) If there are any important information such as school closure, I will activate the relay system. As I mentioned again and again, we are safe so far.

Just take good care and observe your own health.

Cheers,
Ms Lim