I went to school as usual today and when I arrived I was met by a very unusual sight. Usually there are a handful of teachers when I get to school. Not many of us get there before 7am every day. This morning there were teachers outside the gates of the school holding pamphlets of some kind.
I parked the motorbike, dropped my computer off in the office and went off to investigate what was going on, but I had an idea.
The school had closed, until the 9th of July. It has actually happened at a very good time as we were having a 5 day holiday this weekend anyway. So it is just being extended a few days.
Outside the school cars, vans and motorbikes were stopped entering the school and the parents or students were informed about the closure and handed the pamphlet that gave information on what was happening and also what can be done to help prevent the spreading and also contracting of the H1N1 virus.
This will have to have thrown some families into some chaos; there wasn’t a chance to forewarn them about the closure. For parents with small children who both work it will mean taking sick days and stay at home with them.
I am sure for many who arrived at the gates of the school this morning to be met teachers informing them of what was happening would have been a shock and probably worried a few.
The cars and also the large trucks carrying students kept arriving and in large numbers as the morning wore on. Some students had to get off their transport as it doesn’t return to their villages, some many kilometres away until the afternoon.
Motorbike travel is the way in Thailand. It is cheap and most Thais cannot afford a car but can a motorbike or two. This is the usual way to transport your child. They sit in front of you as you can protect them they believe. Only one helmet is the norm in Thailand. Actually someone wearing a helmet is very strange as so many Thais don’t wear helmets.
And three on a motorbike, the standard set up. The smallest child is in front of the rider and the older girl sitting side saddle on the back. Again, just the one helmet.
Three more Thais went whizzing past the school.
Inside the school the usually busy courtyards were like ghost towns, the silence was eerie but very nice.
There were plenty who must have heard the rumour of the H1N1 virus as facemasks were the order of the day. There were some teachers and students sporting the latest fashion about the place.
There was a meeting at 8:30am and we were told that the school was still waiting for confirmation that the student in question actually had the H1N1 virus. The doctors were going to ring with the results during the morning. The school had taken the precaution of closing the school for the safety of the students and I commend them for this and also the way they have handled the whole situation. Teachers then cleaned their homeroom classroom. This was mine looking spotless.
Some students had to remain at the school, these were all girls. They have a very special date in a few days time and have many hours practice is needed.
Over the coming days these secondary 4 girls will be dancing until their feet are black and blue. They will represent the school at the Candle Festival, Ubon Ratchathani’s biggest festival for the year. I have blogged about this festival at the following links if you want to see pictures and read more about the day, here, here, here are just a few.
The girls will practice the exact bend of fingers, lifting of legs, placement of feet and so forth. It all has to be precise and the dance teacher is very strict with them. I will get video of the girls dancing at the festival.
And this girl will be their leader; she is to be followed if anyone forgets where they are. These girls will all be dressed identically on the day and you will not be able to recognize any of them when the make up, Thai dress and hair is complete.
I have a big weekend planned, there will be thousands of pictures taken over the coming 7 days and this will start tomorrow when I venture down to see the International wax carving competition and how this is proceeding.
Brunty
3 comments:
Brunty, wearing surgical masks is common practice in Chinese-speaking societies. back in 2004 we had a SARS scare in Taiwan and i was here during that time. i was coming back to Taiwan from being in the US and i put my mask on before landing in Osaka Japan. i wore it from then until the time i closed the door at home. the only time i took it off was at Immigration and only for the 2 seconds it took for the inspector to view my face.
if i were you, i'd get some masks and wear them. this swine flu kills people. you can bet that i'll be wearing a mask on my next trip to Thailand (unless there is an actual epidemic and i won't be going back until it subsides). it's cheap prevention and it works very well.
Funny, those 'masks' do NOTHING to keep the wearer from contracting the H1N1 strain of flu. It is only effective IF the wearer has the flu; it keeps them from spreading it to others.
Just a dose of reality facts!
Have a good holiday JB
MJ, I have read a little on the masks from various government websites, American, Australian and so forth.
I know that:from the CDC Centres for Disease Control.
The Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Stay home if you get sick. The CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
And this is on masks or respirators from the CDC is long if you want to read it:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/masks.htm
Franky, there is no data or research to say it helps prevent contacting the virus. If I get it I do.
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