May 16th 2003Its a stable period for Singapore as we are approaching 18th May which is supposedly the date where WHO is able to declare Singapore capable of handling the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Despite the initial scares of new cases resulting from the IMH cluster, the Singapore government has managed to reassure us that they are handling the situation well.
This has struck a chord in me. Are we handling the situation well?
I guess SARS has a minimal impact on Singaporeans particularly the younger Singaporeans whom i see have been adapting well without the need to use face masks and self-imposed home quarantine orders. From my own experience, i have not been updating myself with latest news about SARS (
www.sars.com.sg, three people volunteered to setup and maintain the website to update us).
Life has been the same recently. Frequent clubbing sessions, soccer matches and water activities have been filling up my schedules each week. Not only mine but to also my regular friends.
In my opinion, such risks are part and parcel with their jobs. Working in hospitals, there are bound to be occupational hazards such as contracting flu strains or any epidemics. The same goes to labourers who is at risk to suffer heatstrokes and machine hazards.
Like many Singaporeans and the people of the world, i can only pray that such calamities can come to an end and prevent,as we may, any new impending disaster to befall us all.