| The Swine-Flu Scare |
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Quite recently I wrote about children in Paniqui going for the first time or going back to their respective schools. I understand from the Department of Education that there will be no more postponement of the school opening. The Department of Health had declared that it would be safe to open the countless gates all over the country for the students to come in. This declaration, however, does not imply that the risk of catching the much publicized, and therefore much feared, virus may be ignored. The wise may take a risk. But he will take the necessary precaution too. I’m sure we all realize how congested our public schools are. Some schools are bursting at the seams. I saw on TV how children would climb over chairs to get to their seats behind the first row simply because there is literally no more space between chairs! I went to a public school myself in elementary. Back then, children could roller-skate around rows of desks or play Trip to Jerusalem around them. Don’t ask me though how long ago that was or I will feign amnesia. The condition of most of our public schools today makes the swine-flu virus even more scarry. Because of congestion, a body is much closer to everybody else. Because of this, every classroom is a picnic ground for the virus. Thank God there are no reported cases of the flu in Paniqui. Let’s continue asking God to keep the virus away from our town.But prayers alone will not do the trick. Individually we need to protect ourselves, and thereby, others as well. Let us all try to stay in good health and fortify our body with balanced diet and sufficient exercise. The Department of Health is doing its job well by keeping track of the virus spread and by spending a good deal of money on infomercials to educate parents and children alike on how one may improve his chances of keeping the virus away. The hand washing demo shown in high-rating TV programs is a vary sensible way of keeping children aware of the seriousness of the swine-flu threat and the importance of keeping our hands clean. Having clean hands all the time is one effective way of keeping oneself clean. And staying clean is staying virus-free. At this point I can’t help remembering a song taught to us by our teacher in grade one. The classroom song ended with the line: “CLEAN LITTLE HANDS ARE GOOD TO SEE.” For comments / reactions, please email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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