As the death toll due to the H1N1 influenza continues to rise, the government, cabinet and health ministry are still not taking drastic actions to mitigate the number of cases from rising further.

How many more human lives need to be sacrificed before the authorities take the bold move of shutting down the whole country for a week or impose a curfew to stop the spread of the H1N1 virus?

Is it because the virus has not affected the higher echelons in the government that no action is being taken? Is it because the lives of the common citizens are not as important?

Are the lives of the senior citizens, those classified in the high risk group and our children not important?

Is the economic situation a bigger loss to us than the very lives of those living in this country? Are the decision makers being held to ransom by the influential business community?

Is making money so much more important that the health ministry can afford lives to be lost instead of mandatory shutting down businesses and having a curfew?

The recent ruling on Aug 13 to halt the release of figures of number of cases also does not augur well. It is like the ostrich hiding its head in the sand while ignoring reality.

The concealing of the actual death toll and confirmed cases will only give a false sense of security to the general public and their lackadaisical attitude towards this deadly threat will continue.

Hasn't the government learnt anything from the Department of Environment episode when it tried to conceal the air quality readings from the public? Was there not a backlash?

Yes, releasing the figures will paint a grim picture and will be frightening but would it not jolt the general public on the need to take steps to protect their health?

Even the print media has slowly relegated H1N1 related news to the inner pages instead of playing it up on the front pages as was initially done.

Gerakan Selangor Youth made a random visit to the following places, Puduraya bus terminal, banks within Kuala Lumpur, DBKL office, Sentral Market, Jalan Duta bus station, LRT and commuter stations and General Post Office last weekend and found almost 90% of the public were not taking any precautions, like wearing masks.

If Malaysians could be encouraged to don masks when the haze problem was first encountered way back in the 1990s, then why can't the same be done for now?

Why can't the government enforce a simple ruling of making it compulsory for every person, irrespective of age to don face masks? Is this too difficult a ruling?

Why can't the government with the help of private corporations, entities, companies and non-governmental organisations supply and distribute masks around?

If companies can provide the Jalur Gemilang during Merdeka, wouldn't it be more important now to provide masks since it is a matter of life and death?

The health minister and the health director general should resign for their lack of urgency and incompetence in tackling the situation which has resulted many losing their loved one to H1N1.

Several steps the health ministry should consider if a nationwide curfew is not feasible are:

  • Compulsory for all to don face mask at all times.
  • Since children are more susceptible, then compulsory closure of schools affected.
  • Make H1N1-related news front page stories in all printed media and with the latest death figures and of those infected. The fear factor will help to instil a sense of seriousness.
  • Set up emergency mobile labs like those instituted in other nations to conduct throat swabs at the homes of individuals instead of letting them to go themselves to hospitals
  • Punish those who are under quarantine or confirmed H1N1 patients but still go out infecting others.

It will cost a lot and would require a lot of manpower, but it would be worth every sen spent.

As long as the government does not show any seriousness, then so will the public. The government would then be overwhelmed when it reaches a critical level.

The economic repercussions would be greater and the backlash politically would even be the death knell of the present government.