Ten years later of "Village by the sea"

Ten years later...

The village is no longer a village. The village has been developed into a congested city area. The wooden houses are not seen anymore, but replaced by rows and rows of new concrete buildings. Muddy roads have also turned into straight and broad roads. Cars is seen all over the area. Although sport cars are still not common, but it can be seen driven by some rich guys in Thul. This place is changed into a place for goods transporting to factories and others places. As the number of the factories are in an increasing trend, the clean air and the crystal clear sea water is completely polluted. Currently, a construction of an airport is ongoing and when the government suggested this idea a year ago, none of the villagers disagreed. Unfortunately, the villagers no longer loved the dirty area so they decided to move to some other villages in India, but this time, far far away from Thul.

The new area is not as congested as Thul. It was a quiet and peaceful area near a forest. The villagers there now take up hunting as their main jobs, not fishing anymore.

Hari continued with his poultry farm and also the watch mending job. Hari had became the biggest manufacturer of chicken eggs in Bombay, and also some other further places. Some chicken sellers from far away in India doesn't mind taking the trouble to come to his poultry farm to purchase some chicken eggs and also meat as the eggs and meat sold by Hari has the best quality in India. Although he is busy with his poultry farm, he determined to continue running the first business of his father, which is watch mending. He had forgiven his father for all his mistake he made as he was willing to turn over a new leaf and bear the responsibility of earning money for the family. Unfortunately, his passed away a year ago at the age of 60 because of kidney problem. Although Hari was willing to pay whatever amount of money to heal him, but he still passed away. Just if he did not drank so much toddy when he was young, he would pass on so early. Besides that, Hari had also found a nice wife and got married at the age of 32 as his business is stablelize. Although he has to pay for Kamal and Bela to go to university, he never felt that it is a burden to him as he is rich enough.

Lila remained without a job and does household chores together with her mother everyday. They clean up their new big house together, wash clothes together, and does many other household chores together. She did not get married as she just wished to live a relax lifetime with her family members, being a normal woman is just enough for her.

Eventhough their family were rich, they did not live lifes like millionares, simply spending money. They are still more used to their olden life by doing things by their own.

Prevention & Treatment to H1N1 Flu

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

There is no vaccine available right now to protect against this new H1N1 virus. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.

Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.


• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.


• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.


• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.


• Stay home if you are sick for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.

Other important actions that you can take are:

• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.


• Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs, tissues and other related items might could be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?

If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. If you are sick, stay home for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?

Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. CDC recommends that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

What should I do if I get sick?

If you live in areas where people have been identified with new H1N1 flu and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people, except to seek medical care.
If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care. Your health care provider will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

Exposures Not Thought to Spread New H1N1 Flu

Can I get infected with this new H1N1 virus from eating or preparing pork?
No. H1N1 viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get this new HIN1 virus from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

Is there a risk from drinking water?
Tap water that has been treated by conventional disinfection processes does not likely pose a risk for transmission of influenza viruses. Current drinking water treatment regulations provide a high degree of protection from viruses. No research has been completed on the susceptibility of the novel H1N1 flu virus to conventional drinking water treatment processes. However, recent studies have demonstrated that free chlorine levels typically used in drinking water treatment are adequate to inactivate highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza. It is likely that other influenza viruses such as novel H1N1 would also be similarly inactivated by chlorination. To date, there have been no documented human cases of influenza caused by exposure to influenza-contaminated drinking water.

Can the new H1N1 flu virus be spread through water in swimming pools, spas, water parks, interactive fountains, and other treated recreational water venues?
Influenza viruses infect the human upper respiratory tract. There has never been a documented case of influenza virus infection associated with water exposure. Recreational water that has been treated at CDC recommended disinfectant levels does not likely pose a risk for transmission of influenza viruses. No research has been completed on the susceptibility of the H1N1 influenza virus to chlorine and other disinfectants used in swimming pools, spas, water parks, interactive fountains, and other treated recreational venues. However, recent studies have demonstrated that free chlorine levels recommended by CDC (1–3 parts per million [ppm or mg/L] for pools and 2–5 ppm for spas) are adequate to disinfect avian influenza A (H5N1) virus. It is likely that other influenza viruses such as novel H1N1 virus would also be similarly disinfected by chlorine.

Can H1N1 influenza virus be spread at recreational water venues outside of the water?
Yes, recreational water venues are no different than any other group setting. The spread of this novel H1N1 flu is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

The severeness of swine flu

How severe is illness associated with this new H1N1 virus?
It’s not known at this time how severe this virus will be in the general population. CDC is studying the medical histories of people who have been infected with this virus to determine whether some people may be at greater risk from infection, serious illness or hospitalization from the virus. In seasonal flu, there are certain people that are at higher risk of serious flu-related complications. This includes people 65 years and older, children younger than five years old, pregnant women, and people of any age with chronic medical conditions. It’s unknown at this time whether certain groups of people are at greater risk of serious flu-related complications from infection with this new virus. CDC also is conducting laboratory studies to see if certain people might have natural immunity to this virus, depending on their age.

How does this new H1N1 virus spread?
Spread of this H1N1 virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

How long can an infected person spread this virus to others?
At the current time, CDC believes that this virus has the same properties in terms of spread as seasonal flu viruses. With seasonal flu, studies have shown that people may be contagious from one day before they develop symptoms to up to 7 days after they get sick. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods. CDC is studying the virus and its capabilities to try to learn more and will provide more information as it becomes available.

Introduction to swine flu

What is H1N1 (swine flu)?

H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu” early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. Other countries, including Mexico and Canada, have reported people sick with this new virus. This virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

Why is this new H1N1 virus sometimes called “swine flu”?

This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and avian genes and human genes. Scientists call this a “quadruple reassortant” virus.

Are there human infections with this H1N1 virus in the U.S.?

Yes. Cases of human infection with this H1N1 influenza virus were first confirmed in the U.S. in Southern California and near Guadalupe County, Texas. The outbreak intensified rapidly from that time and more and more states have been reporting cases of illness from this virus. An updated case count of confirmed novel H1N1 flu infections in the United States is kept at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/investigation.htm.

Is this new H1N1 virus contagious?

CDC has determined that this new H1N1 virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it is not known how easily the virus spreads between people.

What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people?

The symptoms of this new H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Also, like seasonal flu, severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.

Reflection on Adeline Ng Ai Choo

'Adeline Ng Ai Choo' is a story about a secondary school girl who committed suicide because she failed her English GCE 'O' Levels test by only one mark. She begged her teacher for that mark but her teacher refused. Therefore, she committed suicide as she was afraid that she had disappointed her parents.
In my opinion, Adeline Ng should have told her parents about her test results before she committed suicide. I believe her parents would have forgiven her and would not scold her. In her diary, she said that she was much stressed. I think that she should have told her parents about her stressfulness. If she had done so, her parents would understand the problems that she is facing and aid her.
Besides that, it was stated in the story that Adeline Ng's English teacher found out that she was not paying attention in class and was being evasive to her teacher's questions. I think that her teacher should contact her parents and tell them about her behaviour in class lately and should not just ignore it. I believe that her parents are equally worried and would try their best to help her.
Furthermore, her parents should not give her too much pressure and allow her to relax after studying for some time. In her diary, it was stated that she could not concentrate at all as she was too stressed and her parents do not allow her to watch television or listen to the radio. It was also said in her diary that her father would cane her and her mother would die if she failed her exams. This proves that her parents had given her too much pressure.
In conclusion, I think that this incident was caused due to lack of communication between Adeline Ng, her teacher and her parents. If Adeline told her parents about her stressfulness and did not evade her teacher's questions, they would have helped her. If Adeline Ng's teacher had contacted her parents and told them about her behaviour in class, her parents would have aided her. I believe that if they had communicated with each other, this incident could have been prevented.