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Local News Parents, Students Unfazed Over Moe H1N1 Advisory
Local News Parents, Students Unfazed Over Moe H1N1 Advisory
Parents, Students Unfazed Over Moe H1N1 Advisory
Written by Rachel Thien Wednesday, 01 July 2009 11:27
Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei's most popular hangout for youths, The Mall was found abuzz with teens yesterday, clearly indicating that some parents and students are unfazed by the Ministry of Education's (MoE) recent advisory for students to stay at home and to avoid going to crowded places this week.
The Brunei Times interviewed some of the mall-goers to discover why they are not heeding the ministry's advisory, which states that all students were to stay at home and steer clear of populous areas as schools nationwide are closed to prevent further spread of Influenza A (H1N1) in the country.
A mother of six, who wished to be named Salmah, said: "I brought my daughter here today because I feel that The Mall is a safe place and that it's clean."
When asked whether she was afraid of contracting H1N1 at a crowded place like The Mall, she said: As we are in Brunei, I am more confident taking my children out, rather than in a foreign country."
She related that even though she may not know whether a person around her was sick in the shopping area, she had faith that she or her child would not contract the virus. "We must have tawaqui (have faith). I mean, we still have to go out instead of just staying at home,"she said.
Another parent, Zulkifli Hj Tengah, whose three children are in primary schools, echoed the same sentiments. "Although I am aware of the advisory by MoE, I do not feel scared bringing all my children here because it's a safe place to me."
A number of students met by The Brunei Times said that they choose not to heed the advisory simply because it is a better alternative to being bored at home, such as in the case of Ak Mohd Hafiz, 16, who said that he was not scared at all of contracting H1N1. "I am still going to come out everyday, whether it be at The Mall or other places. It is just boring to stay at home," he explained.
Suaidah Mahadi, a 13-yearold, also shared the same views. "I am scared of getting H1N1, but I still want to come out and meet my friends here because there is nothing to do at home. My parents do know about the advisory given, but they are alright about sending me here," she said.
A 13-year-old student, Nadheerah Affandy also said that the reason she was at The Mall was because she had nothing to do at home. "I am scared of contracting the virus here, but I would rather come out because there is nothing to do at home," she said, adding that she might think about staying at home for the rest of the week.
One student, however, was found wearing a face mask even though she was not aware of the advisory given by the ministry.
"I am sick at the moment and I do not want to spread my germs, especially being in a crowded place such as The Mall," she said when asked why she wore the mask.-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times
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written by yusrin , July 01, 2009
thats really annoying to read. times like these, people should be worried about their health. instead, they felt theyre too bored so better to spend their days at the mall. stupid people like these are the reason why the number of h1n1 infections are rising exponentially. what if HM really is putting Mass Quarantine into their consideration to isolate the problem. MOH WILL NOT BE BLAMED for any further H1N1 crisis, theyre trying their best, but are these PEOPLE doing their best to prevent further infection?
Votes: +24
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written by Anonymous , July 01, 2009
Hi readers,
So shocking! Typical Bruneian! What IF they got infected by the virus? Who will they put the blame on? Themselves or the MOH? Of course they will put it on MOH. How predictable.
Holiday is being extended as a precaution. But instead they have taken this opportunity to go out and have fun with their friends instead of just stay in the house where it is the safest place of all! I'm a student myself and I only go out if there are necessary things to do and avoid crowded places.
I'm not taking any side here. But please think for your own safety. Especially to parents please take more responsibilities. It is better to avoid now then feeling sorry later.
I pray for the peace and safety of us in Brunei.
Votes: +18
So shocking! Typical Bruneian! What IF they got infected by the virus? Who will they put the blame on? Themselves or the MOH? Of course they will put it on MOH. How predictable.
Holiday is being extended as a precaution. But instead they have taken this opportunity to go out and have fun with their friends instead of just stay in the house where it is the safest place of all! I'm a student myself and I only go out if there are necessary things to do and avoid crowded places.
I'm not taking any side here. But please think for your own safety. Especially to parents please take more responsibilities. It is better to avoid now then feeling sorry later.
I pray for the peace and safety of us in Brunei.
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written by anonymous , July 01, 2009
Local people in Brunei take things for granted and think that either they are super human or that Brunei is a quarantine city. Did they realise that Brunei's increasing number of infected people for a small population is growing progressively...even more than that of a country like Singapore. That also leads to the kind of mentality of the local people. Don't just follow because other people say its safe or because you are just bored at home. Also parents, be a responsible adult and enforce rules on your children, teach them, nurture them don;t just dump them in the mall and be rid of them..Find them something to do at home, give them tasks to do..
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written by Mr SIO , July 01, 2009
It is so typical of the populace. The Government in all its grace has given the green light for an extended 1 week off with the intention of curbing the spread of the H1N1. Do people heed the advice? Is it justifiable with what's going on by the action we read here? Is it ignorance of just being plain naive on the part of parents? MOE should just scarp the whole idea of having extended holidays because this is just not being heed by the mass. Either way, everyone is just going to be doing their normal errands and high or low be still invisibly visible in hotspot around town. Having extended holidays have already being proven not an effective ways of trying to sustain the spread of H!N! if the society does not even bothered to cooperate. Such shame to those being interviewed in this article, it shows such mediocrity intellect. Peace.
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written by Confused , July 01, 2009
If the people especially the students did not heed the advice of the MOH then what is the point of MOE giving an extended one week school holiday?
True, tawakal is very important.But giving efforts are important as well. We need to understand the reasons on the need to self-restrain.
We cannot be ignorant just because the number of H1N1 cases in Brunei is not as high as other countries.
This complacent behaviour will be one of the triggers for the increase in the number of the H1N1 cases.
I hope these people will understand.
Votes: +10
True, tawakal is very important.But giving efforts are important as well. We need to understand the reasons on the need to self-restrain.
We cannot be ignorant just because the number of H1N1 cases in Brunei is not as high as other countries.
This complacent behaviour will be one of the triggers for the increase in the number of the H1N1 cases.
I hope these people will understand.
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written by student , July 01, 2009
People should really avoid going out to crowded places especially to the well-known MALL since the number of people infected is somewhat increasing. Some students say "extended the holiday because we're afraid of H1N1" and type it here but for god's sake, why do I still see them loitering around the crowded shopping centres? Is that just a reason for not attending school? They DO still go to the cramped cinemas, etc. "Bored staying at home" isn't a really good reason when something contagious with no vaccine yet is lurking around Brunei. It's not holiday, it's curfew! Apologies if I've offended some people.
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written by piggy , July 01, 2009
True that our number is not as high as other countries but considering the population of Brunei, we actually have a relatively high percentage of H1N1 cases you know...
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written by Backspace , July 01, 2009
To "Don't be ignorant", I totally agree with you that there has to be usaha/effort as well, tawakal alone won't help.
Anyway, the current situation really is disappointing. A few years ago, I used to hear complaints (from people) like "Oh, the government... They only ACT when a crisis has happened!" or (excuse me) in Malay, "Eh, sudah ada krisis barutah kerajaan kan buat something tu!"
I find that, currently, it's the other way around.
...Or almost. Kudos to the MOH and the MOE for being proactive. But it's still ironic how the government (in general) is still allowing consumer fairs, expos, roadshows and the like.
Sure, the current situation is still "mild". But are we seriously going to wait for a crisis (say, a massive outbreak, or the first death, Nauzubillah) to REALLY, ACTUALLY start being serious about this?
The Chinese Ambassador to Brunei said, "After cases were confirmed, I do not see any panic in Brunei. The social order and life seem to continue as usual as before. I think this is good evidence that the Bruneian society is quite mature, civilised and well-disciplined."
Not restraining social order and life, not reducing social contacts, is mature, civilised and well-disciplined... Really?
Votes: +0
Anyway, the current situation really is disappointing. A few years ago, I used to hear complaints (from people) like "Oh, the government... They only ACT when a crisis has happened!" or (excuse me) in Malay, "Eh, sudah ada krisis barutah kerajaan kan buat something tu!"
I find that, currently, it's the other way around.
...Or almost. Kudos to the MOH and the MOE for being proactive. But it's still ironic how the government (in general) is still allowing consumer fairs, expos, roadshows and the like.
Sure, the current situation is still "mild". But are we seriously going to wait for a crisis (say, a massive outbreak, or the first death, Nauzubillah) to REALLY, ACTUALLY start being serious about this?
The Chinese Ambassador to Brunei said, "After cases were confirmed, I do not see any panic in Brunei. The social order and life seem to continue as usual as before. I think this is good evidence that the Bruneian society is quite mature, civilised and well-disciplined."
Not restraining social order and life, not reducing social contacts, is mature, civilised and well-disciplined... Really?
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written by CaringCitizen , July 01, 2009
How pathetic, it's as if those people are still treating the pandemic as a laughing matter.
They should have taken this more seriously, if they want to avoid contracting the flu. That's the whole point of the memo released by the MOE and MOH. We don't really wish to put their endless effort to waste, do we?
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They should have taken this more seriously, if they want to avoid contracting the flu. That's the whole point of the memo released by the MOE and MOH. We don't really wish to put their endless effort to waste, do we?
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written by atikah abdul , July 02, 2009
I can't see why those kids said they do not have anything to do at home. There are in fact a LOT!
Maybe the kids are too spoiled by having "amahs" around doing housework as simple as cleaning the dishes or cleaning up rooms.
Or maybe they did do some chores but in then end felt bored of doing those over and over again.
Nauzubillah.
H1N1 is at large, which more crucial to be done? Going outside because you are "BORED" or staying inside? You may not want to be announced as the nth person to be infected. Seriously.
Some people have to stay at homes after getting and extension of holiday and complains for missing lessons they could have attended starting Monday. While some...
Votes: +0
Maybe the kids are too spoiled by having "amahs" around doing housework as simple as cleaning the dishes or cleaning up rooms.
Or maybe they did do some chores but in then end felt bored of doing those over and over again.
Nauzubillah.
H1N1 is at large, which more crucial to be done? Going outside because you are "BORED" or staying inside? You may not want to be announced as the nth person to be infected. Seriously.
Some people have to stay at homes after getting and extension of holiday and complains for missing lessons they could have attended starting Monday. While some...
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written by Holly , July 02, 2009
What are these people thinking? Oh so Brunei is SAFE now, is it? Just because it's a small country with 300,000+ people as it's average population? Just because it LOOKS CLEAN and seems clean? Just because there's only 66 people infected by H1N1? 66 isn't a JUST! There are people being infected by the virus every single day!
Just because the MALL looks clean does not mean that viruses will not spread! H1N1 is like you're typical flu! Cough, sneeze, spit or exhale and the virus will be transmitted from the infected person and INTO THE AIR YOU BREATHE IN! Imagine that scenario happening in the mall - not so clean in the end, eh? Infected people may touch the escalator railings, or elevator buttons, ticket counters, paying counters, ANYTHING YOU TOUCH!
It is very appalling to reach such responses from those Bruneians. Very ignorant of them indeed. The students are mis-using the extended holidays for their own leisure. They are supposed to be studying in school if this weren't a holiday. Therefore I believe it would be wise for them to at least use the extended holiday for study as well! Not to mention finish their homework which they have not done during the ORIGINAL holiday - typical for students to leave things done at the last minute or PREVENT and PROTECT themselves andd their family from catching this virus!
They should not blame MOH for the infections! They are trying their very best to keep things in control. The vaccines havent even been found yet! so seasonal flu vaccines are here to supplement instead and they may not even be effective! WE should take action ourselves and keep safe and clean! WE should be the ones helping MOH and the country.
Semangat wah Brunei! Fight against the flu!
Votes: +0
Just because the MALL looks clean does not mean that viruses will not spread! H1N1 is like you're typical flu! Cough, sneeze, spit or exhale and the virus will be transmitted from the infected person and INTO THE AIR YOU BREATHE IN! Imagine that scenario happening in the mall - not so clean in the end, eh? Infected people may touch the escalator railings, or elevator buttons, ticket counters, paying counters, ANYTHING YOU TOUCH!
It is very appalling to reach such responses from those Bruneians. Very ignorant of them indeed. The students are mis-using the extended holidays for their own leisure. They are supposed to be studying in school if this weren't a holiday. Therefore I believe it would be wise for them to at least use the extended holiday for study as well! Not to mention finish their homework which they have not done during the ORIGINAL holiday - typical for students to leave things done at the last minute or PREVENT and PROTECT themselves andd their family from catching this virus!
They should not blame MOH for the infections! They are trying their very best to keep things in control. The vaccines havent even been found yet! so seasonal flu vaccines are here to supplement instead and they may not even be effective! WE should take action ourselves and keep safe and clean! WE should be the ones helping MOH and the country.
Semangat wah Brunei! Fight against the flu!
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written by Holly , July 02, 2009
What are these people thinking? Oh so Brunei is SAFE now, is it? Just because it's a small country with 300,000+ people as it's average population? Just because it LOOKS CLEAN and seems clean? Just because there's only 66 people infected by H1N1? 66 isn't a JUST! There are people being infected by the virus every single day!
Just because the MALL looks clean does not mean that viruses will not spread! H1N1 is like you're typical flu! Cough, sneeze, spit or exhale and the virus will be transmitted from the infected person and INTO THE AIR YOU BREATHE IN! Imagine that scenario happening in the mall - not so clean in the end, eh? Infected people may touch the escalator railings, or elevator buttons, ticket counters, paying counters, ANYTHING YOU TOUCH!
It is very appalling to reach such responses from those Bruneians. Very ignorant of them indeed. The students are mis-using the extended holidays for their own leisure. They are supposed to be studying in school if this weren't a holiday. Therefore I believe it would be wise for them to at least use the extended holiday for study as well! Not to mention finish their homework which they have not done during the ORIGINAL holiday - typical for students to leave things done at the last minute or PREVENT and PROTECT themselves andd their family from catching this virus!
They should not blame MOH for the infections! They are trying their very best to keep things in control. The vaccines havent even been found yet! so seasonal flu vaccines are here to supplement instead and they may not even be effective! WE should take action ourselves and keep safe and clean! WE should be the ones helping MOH and the country.
Semangat wah Brunei! Fight against the flu!
Votes: +1
Just because the MALL looks clean does not mean that viruses will not spread! H1N1 is like you're typical flu! Cough, sneeze, spit or exhale and the virus will be transmitted from the infected person and INTO THE AIR YOU BREATHE IN! Imagine that scenario happening in the mall - not so clean in the end, eh? Infected people may touch the escalator railings, or elevator buttons, ticket counters, paying counters, ANYTHING YOU TOUCH!
It is very appalling to reach such responses from those Bruneians. Very ignorant of them indeed. The students are mis-using the extended holidays for their own leisure. They are supposed to be studying in school if this weren't a holiday. Therefore I believe it would be wise for them to at least use the extended holiday for study as well! Not to mention finish their homework which they have not done during the ORIGINAL holiday - typical for students to leave things done at the last minute or PREVENT and PROTECT themselves andd their family from catching this virus!
They should not blame MOH for the infections! They are trying their very best to keep things in control. The vaccines havent even been found yet! so seasonal flu vaccines are here to supplement instead and they may not even be effective! WE should take action ourselves and keep safe and clean! WE should be the ones helping MOH and the country.
Semangat wah Brunei! Fight against the flu!
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written by Anonymous , July 02, 2009
the % of death caused by h1n1 worldwide is estimated to be 0.4%. Assuming that ALL the people in brunei will get infected with swine flu (*touch wood*) [and assuming that the no. of people in brunei= 350,000.], the estimated number of deaths would be 1400. So, it can be estimated that about 1 person will die for every 250 infected ppl.
But look at our neighbouring countries like sg. Sg has 315 cases of infected cases and no one died from it. So i assume that the % of death caused by swine flu in bru will be even lower than 0.4%.
Unless of course, the flu spreads in the hospital wards (diabetics, cancer etc).
This is just my personal opinion.
In short, judging from the current situation, people wouldn't die from swine flu easily.
Votes: +0
But look at our neighbouring countries like sg. Sg has 315 cases of infected cases and no one died from it. So i assume that the % of death caused by swine flu in bru will be even lower than 0.4%.
Unless of course, the flu spreads in the hospital wards (diabetics, cancer etc).
This is just my personal opinion.
In short, judging from the current situation, people wouldn't die from swine flu easily.
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written by Concerned , July 02, 2009
There is no need to panic but there is a need to take precaution such as avoiding crowded places, wearing face masks, using hand sanitizers frequently or even using latex gloves whether or not we have been advised. That is a common knowledge. Prevention is better than cure...
Votes: +1
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