THE Ministry of Education should be commended for instituting precautionary measures against Influenza A (H1N1) in schools.
It has recommended that parents and children self-quarantine if they have visited countries affected by the virus.
At a national level, maybe the Ministry of Health (MOH) should consider embarking on a publicity campaign to encourage Singaporeans to be more civic-minded and to practise self-quarantine.
The campaign could also highlight the dangers of H1N1, now that there is community transmission of the virus here.
Furthermore, MOH and the Singapore National Employers Federation should encourage employers to be more supportive of staff who are under self-quarantine.
Instead of having employees use their leave during the quarantine period, bosses could come up with a special leave arrangement for quarantined workers.
If staff have to take leave to go on quarantine, they might well visit the doctor and get a medical certificateinstead, which would increase their exposure to the public.
While it is accepted that H1N1 will spread locally, more awareness should becreated in crowded places like shopping centres, churches and cinemas.
Could the authorities comment on how they plan to create more awareness? -Mr David Soh Poh Huat
