The damn flu...
A slightly more junior male colleague of mine msned me, asking if I want to take up his Seoul flight. I supposed he wanted an off day, of which I can't accomodate since I have my own flight to do tomorrow. It was then that he let it known he is not feeling well, and he does not want to take MC.
Taking MC is very dua zhong for us. So much fear has been instilled in many of us that taking MC seems almost like a taboo. It is said to affect promotion and contract renewal, and taking one too many means you get to enjoy a private tea session back in office. MCs are only recognized from company appointed clinics. Reporting sick close to your flight departure would also require you to work up your literary skills, because you need to write a letter of explanation.
"So what are you down with?" I asked him.
"Fever, 37.8 degrees"
Oh crap...
Naturally my advice was to see a doctor. I told him even if he die die want to go work, it would also put him in a very precarious situation. A recent circular has already been implemented, and we are required to take our temperature at home prior to reporting for work. You have to refrain from going and consult a doctor for anything more than 38 degrees. 37.8 is really pushing it.
I really wanted him to consult medical help, so I told him that seeing a doctor does not mean you have to submit your MC to the company. If his temperature subsided and he feels fit enough to work again, then he can just tear it up.
Though at the back of my mind, I keep wondering if there could be something more serious. So I inquired his travel history and whether he might have come in close contact with suspected H1N1 cases.
He came back from LA towards the end of last month. Had shortness of breath during his stay there, subsequently developed cough, sore throat, chills and ultimately fever.
Oh man.
I realise I have to sing a different tune now. Going to a clinic to report sick no longer seems the viable option now.
"Can I tell you what I would do, if I were you?" I am trying to be as diplomatic as possible at this point by referring the subject as "I" now. Really did not want him to feel stigmatized. Over the other end of the binary is a friend already unwell reading this.
"Ya."
"I would call MOH hotline first. 1800 333 9999. Tell them abt my situation. My travel history n symptom onset. And seek advice." "If they feel I need to be monitored, I will call 993."
I told him on his part, this is really his social responsibility. Despite how drama all these sounds, he should not risk traveling to a clinic and potentially infecting others. The next part he said really got me.
"Will it affect my work? Oh man" He had not reported sick before.
I let out a mental sigh.. "bro.... your health is most important. This is something you absolutely cannot compromise."
I am glad he agreed. He thanked me, and I told him to keep me posted. I was worried I came off as too blunt. After all, I am barely a few months more senior than him. One thing he said comforted me a little: "u r a gd friend."
After this episode, I was deeply troubled for a few moments. I wondered what the organisation is doing to us. Are we not allowed to fall sick? Why is it that the ethics of some irresponsible crew resulted in the rest of us having this fear of reporting sick, when we actually are??
The flight I am going for in the morning has always been the one I had worst encounters.
I am tempted, but no, I will not report sick.
Taking MC is very dua zhong for us. So much fear has been instilled in many of us that taking MC seems almost like a taboo. It is said to affect promotion and contract renewal, and taking one too many means you get to enjoy a private tea session back in office. MCs are only recognized from company appointed clinics. Reporting sick close to your flight departure would also require you to work up your literary skills, because you need to write a letter of explanation.
"So what are you down with?" I asked him.
"Fever, 37.8 degrees"
Oh crap...
Naturally my advice was to see a doctor. I told him even if he die die want to go work, it would also put him in a very precarious situation. A recent circular has already been implemented, and we are required to take our temperature at home prior to reporting for work. You have to refrain from going and consult a doctor for anything more than 38 degrees. 37.8 is really pushing it.
I really wanted him to consult medical help, so I told him that seeing a doctor does not mean you have to submit your MC to the company. If his temperature subsided and he feels fit enough to work again, then he can just tear it up.
Though at the back of my mind, I keep wondering if there could be something more serious. So I inquired his travel history and whether he might have come in close contact with suspected H1N1 cases.
He came back from LA towards the end of last month. Had shortness of breath during his stay there, subsequently developed cough, sore throat, chills and ultimately fever.
Oh man.
I realise I have to sing a different tune now. Going to a clinic to report sick no longer seems the viable option now.
"Can I tell you what I would do, if I were you?" I am trying to be as diplomatic as possible at this point by referring the subject as "I" now. Really did not want him to feel stigmatized. Over the other end of the binary is a friend already unwell reading this.
"Ya."
"I would call MOH hotline first. 1800 333 9999. Tell them abt my situation. My travel history n symptom onset. And seek advice." "If they feel I need to be monitored, I will call 993."
I told him on his part, this is really his social responsibility. Despite how drama all these sounds, he should not risk traveling to a clinic and potentially infecting others. The next part he said really got me.
"Will it affect my work? Oh man" He had not reported sick before.
I let out a mental sigh.. "bro.... your health is most important. This is something you absolutely cannot compromise."
I am glad he agreed. He thanked me, and I told him to keep me posted. I was worried I came off as too blunt. After all, I am barely a few months more senior than him. One thing he said comforted me a little: "u r a gd friend."
After this episode, I was deeply troubled for a few moments. I wondered what the organisation is doing to us. Are we not allowed to fall sick? Why is it that the ethics of some irresponsible crew resulted in the rest of us having this fear of reporting sick, when we actually are??
The flight I am going for in the morning has always been the one I had worst encounters.
I am tempted, but no, I will not report sick.