extended holiday?

CUCMS Orienation for Intake August 2009/2010 began on Thursday and went on for four days. We had an eventful (very much full of events) orientation with talks, talks and... activities. It was a jam packed full timetable from 630am til 1145pm (tentatively) but at some occasion, we only came in contact with our beds at 130am.

Following the H1N1 precautionary steps taken to curb this globally raging pandemic, the college has taken the necessary steps by ensuring that everyone fill in the "Self Declaration" Form, placing sanitizers everywhere, providing face masks, and discouraging any contact whatsoever. I filled up the Self Declaration Form upon registration. Have you been abroad lately? Have you had any contacts with anyone displaying ILI (influenza-like illness)? Are you having fever? Cough? Sore Throat?

I was having a cough on thursday which steadily developed to quite a bad one over the next few days. So, on the 3rd day, my facilitator asked me to go to the Surveillance Centre to get checked. I had to fill up another, but the same, Self Declaration Form. I had cough and perhaps sore throat but no fever. I was the only one who wore the face mask for the whole 4 days because of my violent coughing.

Sunday night I received a message that those who had fever and cough shouldn't be attending class on Monday. No way was I going to miss my first day of classes! So yes, I attended it anyway.

Monday morning came. Yes, that's this morning. So there was an announcement that everyone wear the face masks and fill up the Self Declaration Form. That makes it thrice now; for me. Anyone displaying any ILI symptoms should see the doctor at the surveillance centre so that they can be checked and be given an MC. So alright, I was advised by my lecturer to go, which I did. And I filled up another Self Declaration Form before seeing the doctor. Fourth time.

I didn't think my cough was that bad but apparently the doctor must have thought otherwise.

After he checked, he concluded with: "I'm giving you an MC...." Okay, 1 or 2 days wouldn't be that bad; I might as well recuperate what with my runny nose and coughs so I'll be fresher for class. "... for 7 days."

What??? My eyebrow immediately shot up and my eyes were practically bulging out.

"Sir," I tried to bargain. "Must it be that long?" No way I was going to miss a whole week of class. My FIRST week of class! That's... suicidal!

He looked at me. "Yes, this is to make sure you really do not have the flu. If your condition worsen, make sure to see a doctor immediately. You have to quarantine yourself in a room. Minimise your contact. Are you staying in a hostel?" I nodded. "Then you must stay in your own room, away from your other housemates and even the food has to be delivered to you."

"Sir, is it possible that I go home, like back to my hometown?"

"I don't think that's a good idea. You might infect other people on buses, trains or the airplane."

"Oh, but I stay on 40 minutes away."

"Hmm... even then, if your parents are taking you, then... it's still quite dangerous."

Fine, don't argue. "Sir, I have class at the moment, does this mean I have to skip it?" Stupid question, I know but I can't help it! General Anatomy class with Ms Saheera! "Yes, you have to go home immediately."

Dejected, I gave my MC to my lecturer, packed my bags and called my dad. Hey, I would suffer way more had I stayed at my hostel. Might as well stay at home. Which did get me feeling better with my mom making me take Coconut Oil and downing Honey and Lime hot drink plus her motherly care and affection. Honestly, what can mothers NOT do?

I am more energetic now! Though still with some sneezing, coughing and running noses. Extended week holiday I shall have, but a hectic week I will be facing next week, catching up. Fun. Might as well begin studying as much as I can this week.

Note to others: Keep your immune system up. 26 deaths, 8 confirmed and 200 cases in Malaysia. It's no joke.