At the height of the SARS scare in 2003, DOH (Department of Health) beat people have no other recourse but to cover and write about the latest update on the health malady.

I want a different perspective of the story so I designate myself to visit the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, one of the DOH’s assigned government SARS centers in Metro Manila. The other one was found in San Lazaro Hospital in Manila.

I have planned to come up with a news feature and a profile story from the interview with front line health workers who are directly handling suspected SARS patients.

The idea is quite scary isn’t it? What was I thinking then? We are not even covered by a medical insurance just in case me and my co-workers catch the virus during the coverage. I don’t even have the slightest idea of the existing life insurance rates. Also, I have two little susceptible kids to worry about.

But there’s no turning back. With only surgical masks and alcohol as our protection we proceeded to RITM.

My photographer was all worried to enter the RITM premises, but I assure him we are not going to meet a patient inside as we are not allowed to do so.

The interview and hospital facility guided tour turn out well. I felt good about myself as only few print reporters at the time including those from TV were able to visit the SARS referral center.

I did it all for the love of my job and goal to get a first hand account. After all the worries, I get to see my story published the following day.

Fortunately, none of us get sick after the coverage. Thank God.

It’s also inevitable when a student would accidentally sneeze right after your kid. We can’t always shield our children from the possible sources of infection. But we can always do something about it. We can tell them to observe simple rules of cleanliness.

Like my kids, I let them bring a small container of alcohol or a hand sanitizer just in case there is no water in school to wash their hands before and after snack and lunch time. Aside from their hankies, I also put some tissue papers inside their bags.

But as much as possible I encourage them to wash their hands before and after they eat their lunch in school. Simple hand-washing can prevent potentially fatal infections from spreading from one infected person to another. Even when preparing food at home be sure that your hands are properly cleansed.

The proper steps to wash your hands:

1. Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available.
2. Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
3. Continue rubbing hands for 15-20 seconds. Need a timer? Imagine singing “Happy Birthday” twice through to a friend.
4. Rinse hands well under running water. (Remember the birthday song?)
5. Dry your hands using a paper towel or hand dryers. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet.
6. Always use soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.

Earthquake-generated tsunami  (source)

An earthquake may generate a tsunami if the quake:

• occurs just below a body of water,
• is of moderate or high magnitude, and
• displaces a large-enough volume of water.

Most tsunamis are generated by underwater earthquakes

Can this be prevented? Yes, it can be prevented. Car owners abroad are talking about this new invention called Drop Stop® or car wedgie. It fills the gap between car seat cracks or the gap between the middle console and front seat. This is where little objects such as keys, phones, change, jewelry, makeup, bottle caps, pens, gum, among others dropped and take your eyes off the road for a few seconds.

Approximately 80 percent of all accidents and about 93 percent of all rear end accidents are caused by these little distractions, experts said. Trying to retrieve items dropped in the gap can cause you to lose focus and possibly get into accident.

Inventors of Drop Stop® said the product does not only prevent objects from falling, it could also help save lives.

Drop Stop® is made of polyester fibrefill in a neoprene casing. It easily stretches over any seat belt and into any size gap without damaging the product.

Once you fit in the gap blocker it creates a dark shadow no matter what color your car’s interior. This product fits cars and trucks of all sizes.

Drop Stop® can be purchased online for only $19.95 or a saving of 40 percent.

Even if the robbery was foiled we still keep an eye on suspicious-looking person in our area. And just to be safe, we have changed the transparent window panel to opaque glass so no one can see the activity from inside.

Here are the following safety tips at home. This information was disseminated by our Barangay officials last year.

When inside your home:

• Keep all doors and windows locked, even if you are just going out “for a minute”.
• Install dead-bolt locks on all doors.
• Don’t give maids, babysitters, or other working in your home access to your home keys or alarm codes.
• Re-key or change all locks when moving into a new home.
• List only your last name and initials on your mailbox or in a phone directory.
• Don’t give your name, phone number or whereabouts on your answering machine message. Never say you aren’t home. Just ask the caller to leave a message.
• Consider installing home security systems that provide monitoring for burglary, fire, and medical emergencies.
• Leave outside lights on after dark or have outside lights controlled by motion detector.
• Keep drapes or blinds partially open during the day.
• Never dress in front of windows. Always close the drapes or blinds.
• Know your neighbors and keep their phone numbers handy.
• Have a friend or neighbor check on you daily if you are home alone.
• Try never to be alone in the laundry room or any other common area in an apartment building.
• Call the police on 117 if you hear or see something suspicious.
• Don’t take direct action yourself. An officer will be dispatched to your address even if you cannot speak or hang up.

(This is a partial list of safety at home tips. I will share the remaining tips next time.)