The recent flood in Taiwan has caused a disastrous and traumatic shake to Taiwan. Many lives were lost to this flood and houses were destroyed. Though this has happened, many neighbouring countries have stretched out a hand and helped Taiwan through this crisis. US has flown a few military planes to help out, the China Red Cross Society have deployed people and the preseident of Fujian chapter of the Chinese Red Cross Society even donated 1 million Chinese Yuan in the mind of helping the Taiwanese restore order financially.
This typhoon which caused the major and devastating flood in Taiwan has caused them to suffer economically. At least 832 million Taiwan dollars (26 million US) in agricultural damage and temperoraily cut electricity to more than 1 million households.
The attack of the SWINE!!!!
It has been about 2 mths plus since Singapore had its first H1N1 case. Since then, many hundreds were reported and the toll just kept rising everyday. June was the crucial period since it was school holidays in Singapore and many families were abroad for vacations. But Singapore was quick in its actions to help prevent the spread of H1N1 in the public though it still managed to spread.
So what are the symptoms?
Fever
Sore Throat
Nasal
Cough
Respiratory Problems
Body Aches
Though a person may suffer from these symptoms, it does not neccessarily mean that he or she is affected. It is only certain when the person is being tested by the lab then he can be sure that he has been infected.
Health measures taken
Singapore took many precautions in ensuring its citizens can have an eased mind. Many campaigns on keeping a good hygiene was going on in the media and posters. Not only that, the government kept reinforcing the need of wearing a mask if a person would be sick or showing H1N1 symptoms and has the need to go out in public. Schools were required to take temperatures everyday and the airports were equipped with infra-red heat sensitive thermometers.
I came back from Perth Western Australia on 12th June this year. There had been cases there too but nothing went wrong with my mum and I. But a few weeks after I landed and started school, I started showing a few symptoms of H1N1 like a very high fever of 39, sore throat, nasal problems, cough and breathing difficulties but my parents did not think it would be serious as I often come with a viral infection so I just went to my GP and got some antibiotics and tried to bring my fever down. But that did not help much as my fever kept coming and going, my throat was very sore and I had very severe head pains. So I was brought back to my GP and she suggested admitting me to Tan Tock Seng to have a full check up.
When I got there, I was quite surprised by the strict measures taken. Immediately my temperature was taken and a mask was given to me. My mum could not be with me and I was taken to this other tentage which was a long distance to get to. My temperature was rising and my heart was racing. I was already having breathing problems and yet they made me walk even further. I felt that was outrageous!! They took my blood and ran some tests on me. I was tested for H1N1. But thankfully in the end it was just a chest infection so I had to be given sodium chloride through the drip. I was given a load of medicine to be taken.Every country has their own ways of dealing this pandemic issue. But I must say Singapore, though some say are very "kiasu" in all its measures, it did help control and contain the illness for a period of time before it spread to the community.
Though there has not been any new cases reported in Singapore, it has reported its deaths. But Singaporeans should not be complacent and forget about keeping up with personal hygiene as the virus can attack again. A mask should be worn when going out if you're sick and avoid crowded places and a balanced diet and also personal hygiene is very important in preventing the spread of viruses.
-Sharmaine(:
8:40 PM
Saturday, August 15, 2009
The Cause of Global Warning
Global Warming is caused by many things. The results from the present investigation suggest that The Global Warming has been caused by two points which Natural causes and Man-made causes.
The natural causes include many reasons that are two leading causes of Methane and Earth’s Climate Change. The Methane is one of the Greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gas is a gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation and may raise the temperature finally.
The Man-made causes include many reasons that are two leading causes of Pollution and Population. The immediate cause of Global Warning is Pollution. Carbon dioxide is one of the major of pollution source and cars and factories exhaust gases are one of the major causes of Carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas as it transmits visible light but absorbs strongly in the infrared and near-infrared. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. Many people have more than one car and many factories discharge directly untreated of atmospheric pollutants to environment. That reasons to cause environmental deterioration.
On the other hand, Population increase fast also is one of the major causes of Global warming. When the population is mounting up steadily, household garbage by burning, resources are flowing out too fast. The rise in greenhouse gasses is partially the result deforestation. With the development of cities, woodlands of area shrink tremendously. Many trees have been felled extensively contributed to heavy climatic anomaly. Global temperature increasing is a phenomenon that is affected by disafforestation. The air has been contaminated by exhaust fumes.
Global warming have severe effect to our earth, global temperature increasing is one of the major of effect. Sea level rise is a direct result of the Global warming because of melting polar ice. We have to say good bye to Skiing, when temperature increase fast, the snow cannot be keep longer, no more snow we can be used for Skiing. The weather will become crazy, tsunami and typhoon more and more often occur. Weather patterns should also become more erratic and storm more severe. This year, the seldom-seen floods that hit China this past summer were caused mainly by abnormal climate, as well as damages of the ecological environment.
In conclusion, we must spare no effort to free all of humanity, and above all our children and grandchildren, from the threat of living on a planet irredeemably spoilt by human activities, and whose resources would no longer be sufficient for their needs.
Some data:
Expressed as a linear trend, this temperature rose by 0.74°C ±0.18°C over the period 1906-2005.
Panda
4:28 PM
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
We're back to talking about AFRICA again. This time, I want to talk about poverty itself. Before I get into talking about the issue itself, I want to share some shocking statistics (mostly related to the population) which will give you'll a rough idea of how bad Africa's condition is.
And here we go....
- Africa has 13% of the world's population, and 69% of the world's HIV or AIDS cases.June 8, 2000 ENN/AP
- Population is expected to rise from 800 million now to 1.8 billion in 2050, because the fertility rate of 38 births per 1,000 people is still much higher than the mortality rate of 14 deaths per 1,000.June 8, 2000 ENN/AP
- 43% of the continent's population is under age 15. June 8, 2000 ENN/AP
- Africa now produces nearly 30% less food per person than in 1967.Sept 1999 ...Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs
- 25% of 10-year-old girls in poor sections have had sex. (some suggest that a victim cures his AIDS by having sex with a virgin) July 18, 2000 World Watch
- The HIV epidemic that is raging across Africa is now taking some 6,030 lives each day, and the number is expected to double by 2010.July 18, 2000 World Watch
- This epidemic could easily produce 20 million orphans by 2010.July 18, 2000 World Watch ;mind you, 20,000,000 isn't a SMALL number...
World Overpopulation Awareness. (2009). African Population Dynamics. Retrieved August 11, 2009, from the World Overpopulation Awareness Web Site: http://www.overpopulation.org/Africa.html
So...are the figures terrifying enough?
Africa is known to hold the largest population in the world right now despite having to face many economical, social and political problems. Not only are its people suffering from starvation as was discussed in an earlier post, but they also suffer from an AIDS epidemic that is bringing harm to millions of people especially children. They are being exploited in many ways. Child labour, sex slaves, you name it, they've got it. These children are stuck in a rut. Caught in a vicious cycle all because of the terrible P word. POVERTY! Will their suffering come to an end? I have no answer to that and I doubt you would have one either. As much as I want to sound optimistic for their future, I cannot bring myself to do so because the future for Africa does seem bleak to me. The problem has reached a level beyond salvation. Just go back and take a look at those figures once again. A change is possible if the government is willing to be diciplined enough to be efficient. People around the world are willing to give a hand, try to help out and hope to make a difference. There is help BUT it is never enough...
There is the mentality which goes like,"Education is the ticket out of poverty", but is it really a solution for the children suffering in Africa? How do they get education in the first place? Donations from around the world brought together with the vision of providing an african child with education can only do so much for a period of time. She or He may get the chance to learn their ABCs but what then? Do they really get the chance to further their studies? I know many of you'll are probably wondering what is it with all the questions. This just shows the many uncertainties underlying this HUGE MASSIVE problem Africa is facing and has been facing for a long time now.
If i had ONE wish that i could make come true, I would definately wish for the eradication of poverty in AFRICA. At least for the sake of the children. I know I am not saint but empathy does wonders.
Sadly, empathy is never enough...
donna...
10:26 PM