Schools in Pune to re-open on 24th August 2009 !

Utter CONFUSION 😦 !!!!

I know, as a parent, its so much confusing. One day the school closes for quanrantine reasons, which is excellent. Then we get sms from the schools, that the school will reopen on the 20th Aug 2009, as the situation seems normal, but the next morning the Collector Mr Chandrakant Dalvi, announces public places to be closed till 23rd August 2009. Phew !!!!

Well I am too glad that all the schools will be closed till the 23rd Aug 2009.

It will eliminate the traces of that Swine Flu from the surface of Pune totally!

It will also force careless citizens who have to be made to understand that staying at home will save THEIR life.

I still hear people going to the malls! Well if its to purchase grocery, it’s ok. But why are people flocking even to the places like Lifestyle, Central and Big Bazaar !!!!!! Just because the malls have extended Sale period, does it make sense to put your life on sale too?

Common, people, use your head. All the malls will anyways keep another big sale the moment all restrictions due to the swine flu are lifted in Pune. Do you think they will not make use of the fact that people are itching to visit the malls, to empty their pockets and to make economists wonder does the word recession make any sense in this part of the world?

Anyways those who wish to gamble with their life go to the malls, but why are you gambling with your kid’s life?

I am not sending my kids till I hear no more swine flu testing case reaching my ears!

I must thank my dear friend Vinita Deshmukh, editor of the Intelligent Pune for updating me with important school related news. I also thank all the school office managers, especially DPS, Bishop, Vibgyor and ST Mary’s for very patiently always answering my questions and doubts. I appreciate Collector Dalvi for making my life easier by answering my query on schools reopening and the consequences of those not obeying his orders.

Swine Flu – DPS, St Marys, Bishops, Vibgyor and All schools in Pune till 16th August 2009!!!

Updated at 5:00pm on 10th Aug 2009.

DPS school Pune closed till 17th august 2009.

All malls, schools, multiplexes will remain closed for three days as per the government orders. Phew !!! Finally . Bloodshed has to happen to even save our lives. Still there are a few thick-heads who are advising the schools to remain open. We must find out if their kids are in any of the affected city or have they packed off to their kids to a monsoon break to some hill station or abroad ! Don’t they understand simple logic of quarantine?

A minimum of 7 days of total shutting down of the city is all that is needed to eradicate this H1N1 virus. So is 7 days asking too much as compared to hundreds of lives that they are staking? How much sense is lacking in the people WE have chosen?

Ok now if the govt. authorities are like duh… People , use your common sense. Choose between a week of shopping at malls / movie halls /socializing OR be ready to get infected. Is this a rocket science?

Written on 10th august at 1:05am

All schools in Pune will be closed till 16th August 2009, by the order of the Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, if the school is willing.

Thank you dear authorities for better late than never sense which prevailed to save the kids from getting infected and saving the poor parents from the dilemma of whether to send their kids to the school or not !
I wish a month back this step was taken preemptively, but Pune people learn things the HARD way always!
Anyways since I have not been sending both my kids to the school even before the schools declared to close down, I am extremely pleased for the step I took.

Sadly there are two kids infected in St Mary’s 1D and one child from DPS. The kids who did go to the school last week have been exposed to the H1N1 virus. My advice to parents of these kids whose kids went to the school until last week, kindly check your kid’s throat every morning yourself. If there is even a slightest redness or soreness visible, get him tested. This you must do till the seven days from the day your child stopped going to the school.

Read this for detailed reason. What if you came in contact with swine flu affected person ?

A few steps for all the worried parents:

*First thing first, get your kid tested.

*Avoid sending your kid out anywhere.

*Keep other members in the house away from your kid to prevent any other member getting infected, cause you still do not know if your kid is infected or not.

*Order Tamiflu online, as there is shortage of the capsules. Order Online Tamiflu.

*Make hot chicken soup with lots of whole garam masala and fresh ginger garlic for the kid to drink. This will not cure the swine flu, but will provide good strength and stamina to fight the virus.

*Do not hide the fact from anyone if your kid is infected. Its criminal offence to hide the disease and let other innocent people come in contact with the virus. On the other hand, sharing the information, keeping the kid in isolation will actually hurry up your kid’s recovery.

*If infected or have any doubt that your kid is infected, please make him/her wear Mask N95 only. The other masks are useless and do not prevent the virus from spreading. Other members in the house must also wear the N95 Mask.

*Keep all maids, drivers, workers away from your child till your child recovers.

It’s this category of people who should not get infected, else the real Pandemic will show up ! Thankfully only the upper class is infected due to their globetrotting. And since upper class have the money and resource, the disease can be controlled in Pune to the level of epidemic. If the lower class gets affected, the virus will do the deadly taandav and show its ugliest form. One maid or one driver will infect his whole family and neighbors within one single day as they live in congested rooms and slums. Definitely they will not afford Rs 5000/- worth Tamiflu! And then the result is something we don’t want to see.

SO PLEASE KEEP YOUR DRIVERS? MAIDS away from anyone infected with the Swine flu in your home. DO the cooking/ cleaning / driving for the infected kid yourself. Another option can be to see that these helpers if they are in contact with the infected person stay in the same house premise. This will at least prevent spreading of the virus. Then if any symptom arises, admit the person to the hospital that can handle swine flu.

These are all advice from non medical person, so kindly do not avoid going to the doctor if any symptom arise. You should take a doctor’s advice before taking Tamiflu.

*I pray for the speedy recovery of all the kids. May I request the parents to not send their kids to any day care, playschools, activity classes or even movies and malls.
It’s tough to keep them home, so sending to known friends who do not have any flu or running nose should be wise. Mothers at home can continue with the daily studies for an hour or two. There are several online games that you can allow kids to play to keep them busy.

You parents can use this time to bond with your children and teach all about viral flu etc. Check out good sites that easily explain it. http://www.X-plain.com. Check out online stories or activities . I like http://www.starfall.com.
Paint, draw play with your child and make the most of this break. Be thankful that you are lucky to be healthy and fit.