Tuesday February 9th, 2010
- Last update:15 hours 27 min ago
Parents panic as swine flu hits school
Published: 9 Sep 2009
The Grant Memorial Presbyterian Primary School. PHOTO: RISHI RAGOONATH
Angry parents were yesterday demanding the closure of the Grant Memorial Presbyterian Primary School, after two cases of the dreaded H1N1 virus (swine flu) were discovered among its pupils.
The students, who recently returned from Miami, where they spent a portion of the August vacation, attended classes last week. They have been quarantined at home. The parents were demanding to know in which classes the students were enrolled, how many days they attended school before they were diagnosed, and whether their children were exposed to the virus. Acting principal Barbara Sukhu, in a letter dated September 8 and issued to the parents of the 1,100-plus students, confirmed the findings and advised that classes would continue as usual.
“Be assured that all precautionary measures are in effect at the school to ensure your child’s safety,” she advised, as she urged parents not to keep their children at home. Non-attendance was no guarantee of prevention of the disease, the letter stated, pointing out that personal hygiene practices were the main methods of preventing the spread of the disease. Sukhu said both the Ministries of Education and Health have advised that there is no need for panic. She also outlined a number of measures to be observed by students. San Fernando Mayor Kenneth Ferguson assured yesterday evening that the situation was under control and also urged parents not to panic. The mayor explained that the children, who vacationed in Miami, were in school last week.
“They fell ill, demonstrated symptoms of the virus, were taken to the doctor, swabbed and, on Monday, we understand, the test came back positive,” he said. Ferguson said the County Medical Officer of Health, Victoria, on Tuesday advised the Public Health Department of the San Fernando City Corporation of his findings.
He said a public health nurse and a public health visitor went to the school. “We will continue to assist the ministry in whatever way necessary to ensure this disease does not spread to other students or in the city,” Ferguson said.
School advisory
• Classes will continue as usual
• Pupils should be equipped with napkins (not wash rags) in which to cough or sneeze
• Hands should be properly washed with soap and water especially before eating
• Each child should be equipped with alcohol-based hand sanitiser
• If your child displays flu-like symptoms, keep him/her at home and visit the health centre or hospital
• Pupils should avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
H1N1 in T&T - we are now in
H1N1 in T&T - we are now in big trouble. We all have to be on guard. This is not a 'poor people' virus, it is affects the old, young, rich or poor. Every country in the world has been preparing their people for the onset of this flu. All school have been prepared with information and supplies. Why was T&T lagging behind.
In T&T there are no secrets, except inside our gov't. They knew that these children came home from a vacation in Maimi, having been among a community with H1N1. Why did they, the parents, and/or the school pay particular attention to them and visit with the doctor to get clearance before letting them loose among our children. We got to start behaving with responsibility. We are no longer an isolated small country .. we are part of the big wide world .. we move around everywhere. Pleading ignorance/not knowing, is not an acceptable reason.
Parents, please, I undertand that you have reasons to be angry, but take this anger and use it to educate yourselves, and look after your children, your family. Laying blame, and getting angry, now, will not correct what has happened, but it can guide you in taking the right course of action from now on. So take a deep breath, and think clearly. Seek informatiion, and question the school, Health Ministery, or anyone else in this field, even your chemist/pharmacist to help you.
Sorry kids, but I hope you receive the care you need. Pay attention to the info. given.
In addition, do the following:-
- Cover your mouth when you sneeze; if you don't have a hanki, sneeze in your sleaves; avoid anyone who does not.
- Wash your hands the proper way often - warm water - not hot, soap, and rubbing your hands together to the count of 20. Use lots of soap so there is a good lather.
- If hands are very dirty - wash and get dirt and grime off first,
then wash with soap and water again to help remove any germs that are still on the skin.
- For the little ones, let them wash their hands with singing -ABC's, Happy Birthday, or Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.
- Rinse your hands and keep your fingers down.
- Wipe with paper towel or clean cloth - do not share towels.
- If someone at home has the flu - try and use paper towels and toss in bin.
- Use paper towels to open doors/handles and taps and flush toilet.
- Keep surfaces clean, wipe with a solution of 10% vinegar + water solution.
- 10$ bleach and water spray, especially bathroom surfaces, & faucettes.
GOOD HYGIENE and COMMON SENSE will help us all.
Remember your manners: - if you sneeze or cough, do it in a tissue and toss immediately, and wash your hands, to prevent spreadomg germs.
Good Luck ... Be careful and stay safe.
I trust our goodly Minister
I trust our goodly Minister of Health.
There was no Dengue in TnT and there's no need to be concerned about H1N1 (Swine Flu Virus).
This is all a figment of our imagination.
If you think that I'm bamboozling you, then Dr Naresh's claims can be backed up by Dr Cumberbatch, the Chief Medical Dude.
http://dsaltsman.blogspot.com/
Worldwide it has been
Worldwide it has been anticipated that there would be a swine flu surge when school re-opens as a result of children interacting with each other after the summer vacation - it is also anticipated that this surge will continue for most of the year.
Quite frankly I believe the government of Trinidad and Tobago has adopted a laid back attitude towards swine flu and have not ensured that people are kept up to date of the situation. They have also not ensured that basic information about the virus is communicated to all. The result is panic as demonstrated by the parents in this article.
I hope that a level of maturity would be demonstrated by these parents and that the two kids identified with the virus would not be singled out for any form of verbal abuse.
Gardenia has listed a useful set of information for all to follow.
The 'hoggish' attitude,
The 'hoggish' attitude, apparently, of some not to close down the school, at least before more children are exposed to those who may have been infected because of contact with the two sick children is a bit puzzling and is a cause for some despair. Both the OSH Act and the Education Act have provisions to deal with situations such as this one.
The Presbyterian Board is a great school board and 'Grant's School' is the eminently distinguished flagship of the Presbyterian Primary 'fleet'. Don't let it suffer on the altar of expediency.
Ministry of Ed, do the right thing to protect the other children who have not yet tested positive for AH1N1. Our children are too precious.
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