A (H1N1) Ironies

Interesting how this pandemic A(H1N1) Virus brings ironies on us, Filipinos.

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Irony #1:

Sources say the Influenza A (H1N1) Virus that struck and caused a community outbreak in Hilera, Jaen, Nueva Ecija might have originated from some Foreign Doctors who conducted a Medical Mission in the area prior to the spread of the virus.

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Irony #2:

Take this case of the teen-ager who tested positive of the Influenza Virus. The girl, a balik-bayan from the US came home in the Philippines to visit her relatives in Pugad Baboy, a community in Poblacion Sur, Licab, Nueva Ecija.

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Irony #3:

Inquirer.net has this interesting story:

Swine Flu has paralyzed the House of pork.

The House of Representatives whose members receive pork barrel has suspended office work for five days after reports that the country’s first swine flu-related fatality was its employee.


For the nth time, heckler has this outrageous take:

A number of congressmen scored the Department of Health for not warning
them that the first swine flu fatality was from the Lower House. Unfazed, health
officials told the solons they had nothing to worry about since there has yet to
be a documented case of human to crocodile transmission.

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Irony #4:

In Jesus' time, flocks of people come to Jesus to get healed. They'd do whatever it takes in order to get His attention so they may be healed.

In fact, one woman, who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, said:

"If I just touch His clothes, I will be healed".



Today, the Catholic dioceses are advising their parishioners not to kiss or wipe religious images with their handkerchiefs

Earlier this month, the Archdiocese of Manila issued a circular advising their priests to temporarily cease from giving communion by mouth, but for the holy host to be placed in the hand of the one receiving communion.

Parishioners were also discouraged from holding hands while singing the Our Father.

(source: philstar)

The News and My Views: 22 June 2009

Inquirer.net: Solons Meet DOH, WHO executives on A(H1N1)

The committee on health of the House of Representatives will hold a meeting
Monday with health officials and representatives of the World Health
Organization (WHO) to talk about the Influenza A(H1N1) virus amid its rapid
spread in the country.

My Views: Why only now? The pandemic virus has been sensational since April or May, and our Solons only focus on this two months after-when about 400 Filipinos are finally inflicted. Talk about the Philippines being "not ready" to face the crisis. (In short, mas interesado pa kasi sila sa isyu ni Katrina at Hayden- at sa Con Ass).

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Philstar: JPE: If GMA runs, she abandons presidency

If President Arroyo decides to run for a congressional seat in
Pampanga in the 2010 elections, it would be tantamount to abandoning the
presidency, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said yesterday.

My Views: Pa'no ba ang scenario? GMA steps down from the Presidency to run for Congresswoman in Pampanga. Noli inherits the top position.... and then, what happens to the Philippines? Pikit-mata.

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Inquirer.net: Estrada buys $1.6M Chopper for sorties

Soon, Joseph Estrada will be stumping the country on a spanking new $1.6-million
helicopter --but like President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, he is keeping the
nation guessing on his political plans for 2010

My Views: Tama nga ang sabi nila na kapag eleksiyon eh andaming perang umiikot sa Pilipinas.

Grains of Thought- A(H1N1) Virus & Politics

Influenza A (H1N1) Virus not only entered the Philippines. We have now reached more than 100 confirmed cases, and yesterday, the Department of Health has declared a community outbreak in Jaen, Nueva Ecija.

Just a thought- since the entrance of the Virus in the Philippines, I have never heard of any presidentiable giving his thoughts on how we can possibly contain the number of cases at the minimum.

Influenza A (H1N1) Virus is the current problem of the state.

Shouldn't they care more and give recommendations rather than mudslinging into his own opponent?

Is The Philippines Ready for the Influenza A (H1N1) Virus?

Last week, the DOH has confirmed that they have recorded the first Influenza A (H1N1) case in the Philippines. As of posting, there are already 2 victims in the country, and they are still monitoring more than 10 people.

To spearhead an anti- Influenza A (H1N1) Virus campaign, President Gloria Arroyo visited a public school in Manila yesterday to emphasize the need for proper hygiene and cleanliness even in the schools.

However, the school itself is not ready- at least- for a basic cleanliness material- TRASH CAN.

Philstar reports:

President Arroyo was visibly peeved yesterday after finding no wastebasket in which to throw a piece of tissue she had used to wipe her hands during an anti-Influenza A(H1N1) campaign at a school in Manila.

After rolling up the tissue paper, the President searched her immediate surroundings for a wastebasket, found none, and started telling the officials around her about the need to have wastebaskets around, particularly beside the faucets.

The officials scrambled around and produced a cardboard box for the President’s trash.
Members of the President’s team explained later that the box was originally placed under the faucets but it had to be removed in order to avoid obstructing the movement of the President.

Apparently, Mrs. Arroyo wanted to see actual wastebaskets and not makeshift cardboard boxes

If simple basic necessities like trash can are not available at hand in schools and other public places, how can we be so sure that we are ready, not only for the Influenza Virus, but in any possible virus outbreak in the country?

Cleanliness, folks, is a better way than to scrumble for cure when the disease attacks.

Update: Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Enters Philippines

The Department of Health confirmed Thursday night (May 21, 2009) that a 10-year old Filipina who arrived in the Philippines from the United States has tested positive of the Influenza A H1N1 Virus.

Health Secretary Dr. Francisco Duque III, who is attending a World Health Organization meeting, said via a video conference, " the DoH confirms today the first case of AH1N1 in the Philippines. She is a female traveler who arrived in the country on May 18 from the United States, whose throat specimen tested positive based on results from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine".

The DOH calls on all the people to be vigilant in ensuring proper hygiene and being extra health conscious in order to avoid the flu virus.

Even in various private and government offices, people are being advised to practice proper hygiene, such as:

• Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible.
• Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
• Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people.
• Cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.
• Making sure your children follow this advice.

Update On H1N1 Virus

The World Health Organization has continued to advice an alert status concerning the H1N1 Virus, as more cases of this flu has been traced in various parts of the world.

For additional reading:

How Deadly is the H1N1 Virus?


Local News Networks in the Philippines report last night that the virus is not transmitted to humans by merely eating swine meat. With this, authorities are asking that the term "Swine Flu" should not be used to refer to the virus, but rather, H1N1 virus is the proper term to use.

So, ano pa'ng hinihintay nating mga Pinoy?

Attack!