Burd Flu scare met with mixed reactions

From paranoia to indifference, Jakartans have displayed a whole range of attitudes toward the latest reports of bird flu.

As a group, mothers are among the most jittery over this latest health scare. Some mothers have told their children to stay clear of vendors with chickens on their carts.

In Bekasi, mothers would presumably add to keep of the roads due to the amount of people on motorbikes with “hunners of Kampung Chooks” roped together destined for Mie Ayam Georang (Chicken Fried Noodles) to be prepared by the roadside food shops.

Some Jakartans have released or sold their pet birds and chickens, fearful of keeping birds in their yards. Seems like the bastards did it on our street, normally there is the faint twittering of our feathered friends in the morning, however, at 5 AM today Alfred Hitchcock could have remade “The Birds” judging by the volume of these avain refugees.

Many residents living near Ragunan Zoo (where it appears the outbreak may have started) have begun taking preventive measures to protect against bird flu, including taking vitamin C tablets, which is unlikely to have an effect on the disease.

"This morning alone we sold 12 packs of vitamins, which is triple our daily sales," said an employee at the Citra Graha Medika drugstore located 200 meters from the zoo.

However, not all people living near areas where the H5N1 virus has been identified are taking such dramatic measures.

"Disease comes from God; if we do not harm our surroundings, there will be no problem," said Rudi Hartono, a 29-year-old food vendor in front of Ragunan Zoo.

Aye, I can just see it, the onslaught of deadlier viruses are a sign from the “Big Yin” who is telling us that we should pick our litter up, ride bicycles, plant tree’s and refrain from performing oral sex and other heinous bestial acts upon chickens.

I await the more serious repercussions to our harm on the surroundings, the problem here being that hygiene often seems to be of secondary importance, as can be witnessed anywhere on the streets. No Toilet, No problem, just whip it out, have a whiz and get back to cooking that bowl of Chicken Fried Noodles, OOPS, did he remember to wash his hands? (Another good reason not to eat from roadside vendors)

Anyway, must dash, got to get to the Citra Graha Medika drugstore so I can boost their sales further with a purchase of Vitamin packs to keep from getting BURD FLU.