JC student Judy Goh reflects on
what we learnt during the time of SARS.
All these memories of SARS are enough to make anyone wonder if we should just let life come to a standstill and move into oblivion instead of the 21st century. Yet, as dark and glum as the aftermath of the SARS epidemic was, it also brought with it some positive impacts. All you need is another perspective, as the Health Minister, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, mentioned in our interview with him.
SARS was a frighteningly aggressive disease that vanished as mysteriously as it had surfaced. On the other hand, it led to the increased number of youths signing up for medical courses, hoping to join the medical workforce as nurses and doctors. This was contrary to popular belief that such an epidemic would lead to students shying away from careers with high “occupational risks”. More youths enrolled than in previous years, and the number is expected to continue increasing. This came as a pleasant surprise to Mr Khaw, who applauded these youths for taking up the challenge.
More recently, Mr Khaw cited the general practitioner who discovered the first case of chikungunya in Singapore as an example of constant vigilance. After SARS, people learnt that things aren’t always what they seem. However, this does not mean we need to be paranoid and live in fear of the “what if” factor.
Learning lessons are crucial in life, and looking for the silver lining in any situation can be uplifting. So put on your armour of hope, and tackle the day with an open mind.
Judy Goh is a student of Victoria Junior College’s Integrated Programme. She interviewed Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan for the March 2008 issue of What’s Up together with Joshua Cheah of Assumption English Secondary.
All these memories of SARS are enough to make anyone wonder if we should just let life come to a standstill and move into oblivion instead of the 21st century. Yet, as dark and glum as the aftermath of the SARS epidemic was, it also brought with it some positive impacts. All you need is another perspective, as the Health Minister, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, mentioned in our interview with him.
SARS was a frighteningly aggressive disease that vanished as mysteriously as it had surfaced. On the other hand, it led to the increased number of youths signing up for medical courses, hoping to join the medical workforce as nurses and doctors. This was contrary to popular belief that such an epidemic would lead to students shying away from careers with high “occupational risks”. More youths enrolled than in previous years, and the number is expected to continue increasing. This came as a pleasant surprise to Mr Khaw, who applauded these youths for taking up the challenge.
More recently, Mr Khaw cited the general practitioner who discovered the first case of chikungunya in Singapore as an example of constant vigilance. After SARS, people learnt that things aren’t always what they seem. However, this does not mean we need to be paranoid and live in fear of the “what if” factor.
Learning lessons are crucial in life, and looking for the silver lining in any situation can be uplifting. So put on your armour of hope, and tackle the day with an open mind.
Judy Goh is a student of Victoria Junior College’s Integrated Programme. She interviewed Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan for the March 2008 issue of What’s Up together with Joshua Cheah of Assumption English Secondary.
