Kirst Afloat

The Beach

I took Claire and James to Clearwater Bay Second Beach today.  We drive by the car park for it at least two times a day but James has never been there.  I took Claire once or twice when she was quite young. She didn't remember it.

What a day we had!  Both kids didn't want to leave.  I originally thought that we'd go play for an hour or two and then go home for lunch.  Over four hours later we finally left!  Claire (who always seems to be hungry) didn't want to go eat lunch.  She was too busy digging, splashing and, later, body surfing. 

It was overcast when we arrived and there was a plethora of seaweed.  We moved down the beach about 30 minutes after we arrived to a much nicer spot.  By the time we left, there were about 70 people there.  Not many people were in the water.  Basically us (and we didn't go that deep) and the really intense old people (they remind me of Cocoon) who swim everyday.  The few that I saw today had lots of gear: wetsuits and the women had these face coverings---kind of like what you would wear skiing but for the water.  Kind of creepy.  Early in the morning there are large groups of elderly who go to the beach.  I used to drive by them every morning on my way to work.  They'd be done swimming by about 7 and would be waiting for the #90 bus.

By the time we left, it was BEAUTIFUL.  Sunny and relatively hot. 

Attire ran the gamut: a few people had swim gear.  Most wore regular clothes but with the pants rolled up.  Quite a few children wore shirts and underwear.  And one child, wow, she had on layers including a winter hat (which she never removed) and a vest.

Claire and James definitely want to go back to the beach next week if the weather is nice.  I won't take them on a Saturday or Sunday because there will be too many people around.

No New Flu Strain Found in Hong Kong

See the Associated Press article here.

The South China Morning Post

has an article today that states that none of the children who died had bird flu.  It's quite odd, though, that the decision to close all primary schools was made late Wednesday.  I am told that is because of a meeting that took place that night. 

Is it H5N1???  No idea.   Supposedly all preliminary testing of the children who died pointed to bird flu.  The reason that an announcement was forthcoming was because the toxicology results weren't in.

I hope that the two people who stated that is was bird flu were incorrect.  But I'm really not sure.  In the SCMP article there was a mention that incoming travelers are not having their body temperatures scanned is interesting.  That for me is an indicator that we're not looking at a bird flu situation.  The scanners have been set up in the airport since SARS.

The other thing that this article talked about was that the current influenza strain in Hong Kong is less virulent than that last year but the amount of flu cases is a "bit higher".  Then why the closure of schools?  Because of the timing of the 5th anniversary of SARS?  It's a conundrum.

I'll be glad when we have a definitive all clear.

Land of Cancellations

Things that were cancelled today:

School for Primary/Kindergarten students

Claire's soccer class

Sunday School classes

The parent/child 1 km race at our Club

Parent/Teacher Conferences on April 7th (These are to be rescheduled for next week.)

Just in from the U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong

As you may know, last night (March 12, 2008), the Secretary for Food and Health for the Hong Kong SAR government announced that all primary schools, kindergartens, and nursery schools would start their Easter Break from today for two weeks as a precautionary measure against the spread of influenza (also known as "flu") in schools.  The Hong Kong SAR government has emphasized to us that this is only a precautionary measure.  At present, there is no indication that there is any significant change of the virus that makes it exceptionally more virulent than the usual influenza virus.

We recommend that you follow Hong Kong SAR government advice to take normal precautions against influenza, including maintaining good personal and environmental hygiene, and building up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking.

For up to date information about the influenza situation, please consult the Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection's Daily Update of Influenza Situation, available on its website at http://www.chp.gov.hk/index.asp?lang=en.

It is Mutated Bird Flu

according to two different sources.  One I mentioned in my last post.  The other was from an infectious disease expert who treats someone that I know.  She was emailed yesterday by this doctor telling her to be careful about the situation and not to send her child to school.  This strain of bird flu isn't as deadly as feared.  It seems that children under 11 are most at risk.  There are two more children in the ICU at the moment.  (Or at least that's what I just read in the South China Morning Post.) Supposedly the HK Government is going to make an announcement about mutated bird flu sometime in the next 72 hours.

I also found out that at least one international school has not closed.  I was told by someone there that "As I understand it the government cannot force international schools to close; the choice to close or remain open is left to the school."  (Just checked that school's website.  The children in the primary section are not actually at school today or tomorrow.  There are Parent/Teacher conferences scheduled.  This makes way more sense.)

It appears that no one completely know what's going on here in Hong Kong at the moment. 

Bird Flu in Hong Kong?

Just read an email from a friend.  We have a mutual friend whom I will call X.

"X's father who works for the hospital says that they can't announce it
officially but it's the mutation of the bird flu."

If this IS true, then it's scary stuff.  At the moment I'm not feeling that worried but there HAS to be something else going on other than just the regular flu for the schools to be shut down until March 31st.  I also wonder what going on in Southern China.  Is there anything being covered up, especially due to the Olympic in Beijing this summer?  Lots was covered up with SARS.  I'm hoping that this time around, China's officials will be more proactive and transparent.

I was going to buy Zingaro tickets today.  Now not sure that I want to be in a large crowd next Friday.  Ditto with Barney---James REALLY wants to see that---Claire has refused to go.  Hmmmmm...

Primary Schools Closed for Two Weeks

People wonder why I still flinch when someone is coughing a lot near me.  It freaks me out.  Perhaps I've always been somewhat of a germ-aphobe---I am American and we're known for that.  But just over five years ago, we had the SARS crisis in Hong Kong.  It was an EXTREMELY scary time.  People were dying.  Quickly.  And no one really knew why.  And how to prevent it.  The treatment given here also had long term adverse health effects.  And to top it all off, I was pregnant with James at the time.  The women who acquired SARS while pregnant...well, most of them died.  Their babies were delivered early via C-section.  Scary, scary stuff.  Like something out of a thriller.  Outbreak.  Although the disease didn't burn out as quickly as Ebola.

Tom just woke me up a few minutes ago.  Evidently someone from school called the boat.  All kindergartens and primary schools have been ordered closed until after Easter holidays.  As far as I know, it's still only a serious outbreak of influenza.  But is it?  Three children have died in the last two or so weeks: a 3 year old, a 23 month old and the latest, a 7 year old. 

I haven't heard anything about mysterious deaths in Southern China this go round.  That was also very scary before SARS hit Hong Kong.  People in Southern China were very scared.  There was a run on white vinegar as many people boiled it in their flats with the belief that it would kill whatever germs lurked.

Yesterday morning in Pacific Coffee, Gloria and I left after a Western gentleman was repeatedly HACKING at the other end of the store.  Why was he out in public?  I don't think I'm being paranoid.  Coughing really DOES freak me out.

From our kids' school:

The Education Department has just announced that all kindergartens and primary schools will be closed from tomorrow for 2 weeks. IMS will therefore also suspend all classes for the coming two weeks. The bus company, Castle Brothers, also will not be sending their buses for this period.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused, and will keep you updated as more news is announced. Please also pay attention to the news or check the relevant government websites. For your information, the website for the Education Department is www.edb.gov.hk (for your information, this latest announcement has not yet been posted to the website at this time).

Hopefully this works.  I wonder what surprises will be in the South China Morning Post tomorrow?

Yahoo News Story

BBC News Story

HK Goverment Press Release: March 11, 2008

Claire at Disneyland

Tien very kindly sent a bunch of photos of the girls at Disneyland.  Claire looks so happy in all of them!  Here she is with Isabel, Julia, Thuy Mi and Tra Mi.

Breakfast

Just made pancakes for the kids.  Pancakes are not one of my favorite foods as they usually upset my stomach for some reason.  I found Aunt Jemima Whole-Wheat Blend mix at the Wellcome in Repulse Bay.  I don't know how much more nutritious they are than Bisquik (probably not much---I'm sure the whole wheat part is just a marketing ploy) but they do taste nice to me.  Both kids are eating them without comment.  James wanted blueberry pancakes and I had a flashback to my growing up days. 

On Prospect Street, when I wanted blueberry pancakes, the deal was (and obviously this was only during the summer months---not sure we ate many berries when they were out of season) that I ran down to the blueberry bushes and picked some to put in the blueberries.  The blueberry bushes were in the back behind my grandparents' house (which was next to our house).  Typically I'd run down in my nightgown, barefoot, carrying a container to put berries in.  Earlier in the season, we'd have fresh raspberries (my favorite, although I didn't care for the prickers on the bushes---there was poison ivy as well over there).  Later on we'd have blackberries.  My father could make a wicked black raspberry ice cream.

Off to piano soon and maybe out later to try and find dressy shoes for Claire.  Perhaps we'll go to Ocean Terminal...buying stuff in Hong Kong is a pain.  Plus I'm having great difficulty finding shoes for Claire at the moment as she's towards the large end of children's shoes but not big enough for ladies shoes.  She's size 1.5 or 2 (32 or 33).  Once she's a 35 it will be no problem.