[CAUTIOUS: Many people in Singapore are taking no chances with the H1N1 threat, such as this young girl spotted wearing a face mask. ST FILE PICTURE]
IT's life as usual for at least half of those polled - even after the Singapore has 'crossed the tipping point'.
The New Paper took to the streets on Wednesday to see how worried people are, now that the Influenza A(H1N1) virus is spreading here.
Half of the 100 people polled said they were worried about the H1N1 flu.
But the other half accepted it as a part of life.
Said Mr Danny Koh, 28, a magician: 'All performers are worried. Some of us have had shows postponed because of the flu.'
Clubbers like Ms Jamie Lyn, 21, an undergraduate, are taking a break from the dance floor.
She said: 'I used to (go to a) club at least twice a month. But now, after hearing about the Butter Factory incident, I've stopped clubbing.'
Still, for most Singaporeans, the situation doesn't warrant extraordinary measures.
They agreed with the Ministries of Health and Education that life should go on.
Of those polled, 62 per cent felt that schools should reopen as scheduled on Monday.
Said Mrs Mandy Ng, 42, a housewife with a 7-year-old daughter: 'Existing measures, like quarantining yourself if you have travelled to an H1N1-affected country are good enough.
'The flu isn't as serious as Sars anyway.'
Indeed, keeping on top of schoolwork was more important than any risk of H1N1 infection for most parents interviewed.
'Studies are more important,' said Mrs Serene Chua, 47, who has a 13-year-old son. 'As long as you're careful about hygiene, you shouldn't have to worry about the H1N1.'
Said a 58-year-old housewife who gave her name only as Madam Chen: 'There's no point if you close the schools another week, the kids will still be out in the streets.'
But 38 per cent of our respondents wanted schools to stay closed for another week.
Said Madam Veronica Leo, 39, a customer service officer with two school-going children: 'I believe schools are doing their part; but there may be irresponsible parents out there who'll still send their children to school although they're sick.
'It would be safer for my kids if schools reopen a week later.'
As for the Asian Youth Games (AYG), 79per cent of those polled felt that the games should continue.
More than a thousand athletes from all over Asia, many of them from flu-hit countries, will be participating.
Said a 25-year-old unemployed man who gave his name only as Mr Kesuma: 'Now that a number of athletes have been infected there's a high chance it could spread at the games.'
The risk is clear. So why are Singaporeans insisting that the games should go on?
For some, it's a matter of pride.
Said Mr Teng Shak Lieng, 45, a cleaner: 'It's the first time Singapore is holding the AYG; it shouldn't end in such a shameful way.'
As Madam Rachel Ling, 40, a clinic assistant put it: 'Life still has to go on. If they cancel AYG, (they) might as well cancel the NDP.'
Han Yongming, Audrey Tan, Kay Tan, Jovita Chua, Naveen Kanagalingam, Ervina Mohamed Jamil and Shea John Driscoll, newsroom interns
