Malaysia Boleh!

The H1N1, what can I say about it that hasn't been already said? When this virus, disease, pandemic or whatever you wanna call it first appeared, I never expected it to become so serious in this country. After all, it didn't originate here and I'm sure when it was announced, the government of this country would start taking proper measures to curb this thing.

But sad to say, I've read somewhere that we've got into the top 8 countries with highest mortality rates relating to the A(H1N1) flu pandemic. Don't quote me on this cos I read this on someone's blog and we all know that according to the government of this country, anything found on blogs are blatant lies. Yes, you can probably tell I'm not too fond of the current government.

Anyway, back to my initial story. I'm kinda appalled that we're so high up on the list. I'm not surprised that countries from north and south America would record higher mortality rates seeing as how the virus did originate from somewhere there, but all the way here and we've made the number 8 spot in the world for mortality rates? Whoa, that is indeed scary.

I have a family and kids and I worry for the boys when they go to school. After all, you know how kids are. No matter how much you tell them to practice good hygiene, stay away from other children with flu like symptoms and keep off the floor mats, they'll never listen, especially when you have boys. I'm also worried for myself.

My work takes me outside the office to meet clients and the chances for me to get the blasted thing is pretty high. I do practice good hygiene, I wash my hands practically a million times a day, I'm exaggerating but you get the point right? The moment I hear someone sneeze, I run away like a scared rabbit.

Just where am I going with this post, you might ask? Well, I heard that the government are mulling about imposing a curfew or emergency when the mortality rates reach a certain level and that they're now planning (or is it implemented already?) to fine and imprison people with flu like symptoms that are found not to be wearing face masks.

How do you even begin to enforce such a thing? And under which department does the enforcement responsibilities fall upon? And most importantly we know how 'efficient' (I use the word loosely here) our enforcement people are. They can't even enforce the no smoking ban in public places let alone entrust them with this.

I read this very interesting article in the Star today which I thought made absolute sense. It was written by Liong Kam Chong and I recommend you guys take a quick peek at the article. There was this sentence that he wrote which said that 'we should stop all these knee-jerk reactions and be more proactive and innovative in ways that are practical!'. I absolutely agree with him.

Is it going to take more deaths for the government to realize that they're not doing enough to curb this. Ok, I'm being unfair, maybe they are taking proper steps but I sure as hell don't see it. Why not just go ahead and declare a curfew for a week or something, confine everyone indoors and let the strain die down on its own. Or at the very least, spare the kids and close the schools la!

As Liong said in his article, it's time to get PROACTIVE or soon, we'll be going for the number one spot of mortality rates in the world. But then, wait a minute, isn't that a Malaysian obsession? To be the tallest, longest, fastest, biggest, highest and stupidest in the world? Malaysia Boleh, what :D

With all that said and done, please do practice some proper care to keep yourself from getting this dreaded swine flu.

p.s. - For my foreign readers, Malaysia Boleh is supposed to be our motto or something along those lines that is loosely translate to meaning Malaysia can do it!
.