What our world is like these days?

It has been a while and I havent been writing even though so many thoughts race through my mind each and everyday. 

The world that we are leaving in these days is not so normal. Just when we thought C endgame is finally here, markets are finally calmed and life can resume normal, we suddenly have real invasion. Whatever that I write only represents personal thoughts and not my stand on what is right or wrong because there is simply no right and wrong in these things. 

I went to read up on the two atomic bombs that were dropped in Japan in 1945, how the Manhattan project came to birth, the people involved in it, etc. and then compared it to the circumstances today. The pilot who dropped the first bomb said he never regretted what he did. Dropping the bombs was the most efficient way to end the war and reduce casaulties, given Germany had already surrendered but Japan was still holding its fort and everyday countless American, Allied and Japanese soldiers were losing their lives. That said, it is indeed a moral dilemma. How about the people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Weren't they innocent as well or were they accomplices in the brutal Japanese invasion just because they kept their heads low, kept their mouths shut and did not oppose to the war? Does killing 200,000 lives to prevent a loss of 500,000 lives then justifies the use of a weapon of mass destruction? Do the 200,000 lives not have the right to choose and why are they the chosen ones to be sacrificed? We killed innocent lives in 1945, why are we letting history repeat itself? 

Back when I was at the UN, I vividly remember the gun statue - the only way for there to be peace in this world is when everyone decides to drop their guns, destroys all MWD. Unfortunately, there is always the excuse that you have xx so I do need one as well to "defend" myself. I guess no matter how we evolve as human beings, we are still animals and there will always be a minority with predator instincts (the fighters) whilst the vast majority continue to be preys (the fleers). It is the circle of life, whether we are in the 19th or the 21st century.  

Swine Flu 101 Facts.

1. What is Swine Flu (Swine Influenza)?
Swine flu is a respiratory disease affecting pigs that is caused by type A influenza
virus. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but
most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to influenza
outbreaks in humans. It causes high levels of illness but low death rates in pigs.

2. Does Swine Flu affect humans?
Swine flu viruses that cause disease in pigs very rarely affect humans. However,
sporadic human infections with swine flu have occurred. Most commonly, these
cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs but there have also been
documented cases of human-to-human spread of swine flu.

3. How does Swine Flu spread to humans?
Swine flu spreads to humans mainly through contact with infected pigs, which shed
the virus in their saliva, nasal secretions and faeces. Limited human-to-human
transmission can also occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people.

4. Can people catch Swine Flu from eating pork?
There is currently no evidence to suggest that swine flu can be transmitted to
humans from eating pork or pork products that have been thoroughly cooked.

5. What are the symptoms of Swine Flu in humans?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of
regular human seasonal influenza. An early symptom is high fever, and this is
followed by cough, sore throat, runny nose, and sometimes breathlessness a few
days later.

6. How can human infections with swine flu be diagnosed?
To diagnose swine flu, a respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected
within the first 4 to 5 days of illness (when an infected person is most likely to be
shedding the virus). However, some persons, especially children may shed the virus
for 10 days or longer.

7. What medications are available to treat swine flu infection in
humans?
There are four different antiviral drugs that are licensed for use in Singapore for the
treatment of influenza: amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir. While
most swine flu viruses have been susceptible to all four drugs, the most recent swine
flu viruses isolated from humans are resistant to amantadine and rimantadine. At this
time, the US CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) or zanamivir
(Relenza®) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine flu viruses.

8. Are there any cases of Swine Flu in Singapore?
To date, there have been no human cases of swine flu detected in Singapore.

9. Is there any cause for alarm in Singapore?
No human swine flu cases have been reported in Singapore. MOH is monitoring the
situation closely and will update the public should the situation change.

10. What is MOH doing to ensure that the disease is not
transmitted here?
MOH maintains a comprehensive and well established disease surveillance system
for the early detection of human cases of novel influenzas such as swine flu. In
addition, MOH has sent a medical alert to all medical practitioners and staff in
hospitals, national centres, private medical clinics and polyclinics to update them on
the outbreak of swine flu in the USA and Mexico and to advise them to be vigilant for
any suspect cases. When the situation warrants, MOH will step up public health
measures e.g. quarantine of contacts, issue public health advisories, and work with
other government agencies to screen visitors at our border checkpoints. Further,
MOH has an influenza pandemic preparedness plan in response to a pandemic
situation.


11. Is it safe to visit countries with cases of Swine Flu and will I
be quarantined when I return? What travel precautions should I
take?
There are currently no travel restrictions or quarantine advised by the World Health
Organisation for swine flu. If you intend to travel to areas which have cases of swine
flu (currently – Southern California and Texas in the United States; and Mexico), you
should take note of the following measures to minimize your risk of acquiring swine
flu:
Avoid contact with persons with symptoms of influenza
Avoid crowded areas and maintain good ventilation.
Observe good personal and environmental hygiene. Wash hands
thoroughly with soap and water frequently and when they are contaminated
by respiratory secretions e.g. after sneezing.
Maintain good body resistance through a balanced diet, regular
exercise, having adequate rest, reducing stress and not smoking.

12. What should I do if I suspect I have swine flu after returning to
Singapore?
You should consult your doctor as soon as possible and inform your doctor if you
have symptoms of swine flu and had recently travelled to areas which have cases of
swine flu (currently – Southern California and Texas in the United States; and
Mexico).

13. What should I do if I fall ill overseas?
You should consult a local doctor as soon as possible and refrain from traveling until
you are certified fit by the doctor.

14. Does influenza vaccination help in preventing Swine Flu?
Vaccines are available to be given to pigs to prevent swine influenza. There is no
vaccine to protect humans from swine flu. The seasonal influenza vaccine is unlikely
to protect against H1N1 swine flu viruses.

15. Is it safe to come into contact with live pigs in nature reserves
and the wildlife reserves?
So far, there are no known cases of swine flu in Singapore. However, proper hygiene
practices, such as washing of hands after contact with animals including pigs, should
be maintained.

Credits to Omma for her contribution. :) Everyone, please take care of your own health!