Call off AYG, say S'poreans
by Cheryl Chia
CALL off the Asian Youth Games (AYG)!
Singaporeans, concerned with the spread of the Influenza A (H1N1) virus here, made the call yesterday as they were worried that the situation may worsen.
Yesterday, Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan announced that the country had moved into the next phase in the battle against the virus, as the number of infected patients continued to rise.
Singapore confirmed 26 new cases yesterday, bringing the total to 168.
Among them were three young Hong Kong soccer players taking part in the AYG.
The organisers moved in swiftly with reassurances that preventive measures are in place, and that the situation is well under control.
"The Singapore officials are on top of this. Everything that should be done, has been done," said Mr Mani Jagathesan, chairman of the Olympic Council of Asia's medical committee.
The moves came even as online chatter reached fever pitch.
Netizen hydroxygen posted on fuckwarezone: "I think we might as well cancel the AYG, don't come and spread diseases here!"
Another netizen, asymmetric, posted: "They are not cancelling the games. This shows that money is more important than the health of the people."
Ms Chris Goh, 48, a legal assistant, said: "It should be postponed as the health of the athletes is important... We should have the best AYG we can, rather than have the flu overshadow the event."
[email protected]
by Cheryl Chia
CALL off the Asian Youth Games (AYG)!
Singaporeans, concerned with the spread of the Influenza A (H1N1) virus here, made the call yesterday as they were worried that the situation may worsen.
Yesterday, Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan announced that the country had moved into the next phase in the battle against the virus, as the number of infected patients continued to rise.
Singapore confirmed 26 new cases yesterday, bringing the total to 168.
Among them were three young Hong Kong soccer players taking part in the AYG.
The organisers moved in swiftly with reassurances that preventive measures are in place, and that the situation is well under control.
"The Singapore officials are on top of this. Everything that should be done, has been done," said Mr Mani Jagathesan, chairman of the Olympic Council of Asia's medical committee.
The moves came even as online chatter reached fever pitch.
Netizen hydroxygen posted on fuckwarezone: "I think we might as well cancel the AYG, don't come and spread diseases here!"
Another netizen, asymmetric, posted: "They are not cancelling the games. This shows that money is more important than the health of the people."
Ms Chris Goh, 48, a legal assistant, said: "It should be postponed as the health of the athletes is important... We should have the best AYG we can, rather than have the flu overshadow the event."
[email protected]
