exercise sparrowhawk 2
this is the first time i am participating in a nationwide exercise...
although it really didn't feel such big scale...
still...
it was an "interesting" experience...

i wasn't physically in Singapore when SARS hit. listening to the stories my colleauges, i do wonder if i was here in singapore, how would i have reacted...?
can still vividly remember that at the start of SARS, jf, edwin, wp and i went to adelaide for easter break...
and on our last day there, we had to take a cab to the train station...
it was a usual hailcab&enter scenario...until about 2-3 mins into the ride..the cabbie asked
"where are you all from?"
and one of us (can't remember who but definitely not me) replied "oh, from china"
the next thing i know, the driver opened all the windows...
and was speeding to the train station...
the 4 of us exchanged amused looks in the cab...
a 15 min trip was over and done in 5 mins..
the moment all 4 of us were out of the cab...
the driver zoomed off...i think the tires almost screeched...
at that point, someone (can't remember who again) said "aiyah, just now should have coughed abit just now"
to which i replied "yeah right, then i think he would have just stopped in the middle of nowhere to drop us off"
so that was the extent to which i experienced the SARS period...
a speeding cab driver -_-

during that time, i kept very close update with the happenings in singapore...how suspected? how many confirmed? how many died? how many days till SARS-free? in a way, i was very worried...and also very helpless..being so far away from home...i couldn't help but wonder if singapore would make it...

but we did...

and so..now to better prepare for another disease outbreak...
we have this exercise...
and now, instead of just a speeding cab..
i am experiencing it as a healthcare worker..
a speeding cab is defintely more fun..and less tedious -_-
seriously..
if you can just imagine this scenario...
you are in a B2/C class ward (i.e. no air con)
wearing usual long pants, usual top with usual white coat...
AND a high filtration mask (high filtration = poorly ventilated for user)
AND a long-sleeve gown (which is also poorly ventilated)
AND goggles (to protect the eyes..duh)
AND gloves...
now, try to imagine you are doing a procedure which require the fan to be turned off...
AND the curtains to be drawn...
now, also imagine you are using about 75-80% of your strength to hold a patient in place while doing the procedure...
yes, you have just gotten yourself an image of a sauna...
can you almost feel the sweat beading on your forehead..and dripping down down down into your eyes? (oh no, u can't wipe it cos your gloves are contaminated..so no touching of your own face)
and can you almost feel the heat spreading from inside and being trapped underneath the layers of cloth?
oh oh..and can you also feel the condensation of your own breath on your own skin cos of the mask?
this is why i am sitting here nursing a very bad headache...
:(
i think i have carbon dioxide retention :"(

anyway....
that was just some whinging..
but i have to agree that this exercise is essential...
because for newbies like me who hasn't gone through SARS
if *touchwood* such disease outbreak does happen..
i will find myself very poorly prepared..
at least now..
i feel more confident...and also have the mental preparation for being in a sauna while working...
and now..
i have new found respect for the HCW who went through SARS..
i cannot imagine wearing that mask from 8 to 5...
i think instead of a headache, i'll end up with heat stroke...

the exercise went on quite smoothly...so it was good..
most people knew what to do..and those who don't were duly corrected by their colleague
i just hope that they dun make this exercise a regular routine...
well..they can make it regularly..just not routinely...
i think people lose their sense of urgency and alertness when something becomes routine...

so..
i think the exercise just ended about 10mins ago...
*phew*
the moment i get home..
i'm gonna hit the shower (COLD shower)
and wear shorts and tank top to cool myself down...
no jeans, no long sleeve for the next 2 days!

the next time sparrowhawk comes around...
i'm gonna stock up on cooling tea at home...
and maybe in the meantime..
some genius can go and invent masks and gloves with better ventilation but is equally protective...