I WAS dismayed to read reports of people going about their daily activities after developing flu-like symptoms.

Such people underestimate the impact of their actions.

I cannot blame them for doing so as I would not be as aware of the dangers if my child did not have medical issues.

My 10-month-old child is immuno-suppressed. He is undergoing chemotherapy and does not have any form of protection even against the mildest disease.

Therefore, the spread of Influenza A (H1N1) in Singapore is of great concern to me.

I am taking pains to preserve my son's life.

I withdrew my other child, who is normal, from a childcare centre because her classmates will be returning from holidays abroad.

My family and I refrain from going to shopping centres and avoid crowds.

My message is this: There is a group of people in Singapore who cannot afford to contract H1N1.

Unlike normal people, who might withstand the illness and recover, my child probably would not survive if he contracted H1N1.

We are fighting hard to save him from his condition. Should he die for a reason other than his condition, it would be a double whammy for us.

I hope my letter will raise fellow Singaporeans' awareness of how their actions can have a great impact on a small group of people here.

I hope everyone would be responsible and play their part in preventing the spread of the disease.

Madam Lim Wei Yin

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