Posts Tagged ‘swine flu’

Chinese city donates 100,000 face masks to Kobe

Tianjin will be sending its the sister city some masks to deal with the swine flu outbreak:

The northern Chinese city Tianjin is donating 100,000 disposable face masks to its sister-city Kobe to help it fight the outbreak of new-flu infections, Chinese state media said Friday.

In a report on its website, Xinhua News Agency said the city had started an overnight drive to collect the masks Thursday after city councilors learnt about the Japanese city’s need.

The masks, adorned with a Chinese flag and a sticker that reads “Tianjin supports Kobe,” will be flown from Beijing later Friday, Xinhua said.

Meanwhile, in Tokyo: The principal of the school that sent two students to a model UN conference in New York City has made a public apology for letting his students travel to the flu-infested United States.

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Shops and restaurants try to lure customers with anti-flu measures

As fears over the spread of swine flu cause people across Japan to cancel outings, many shops and restaurants have been seeing a decline in business.

Here are a few examples of businesses that have come up with clever ways to make customers feel safe:

• A conveyor belt sushi restaurant chain in Kansai has begun to put plastic cases over sushi dishes. The customer interviewed is impressed and feels it makes the sushi safer.
• Domino’s Pizza has ordered its employees to wear masks and regularly check themselves for fevers. When answering the phone to take orders, they announce to customers that their staff will be wearing masks. Their deliverymen apologize for their appearance and tell people that they are wearing the mask as protection from the H1N1 flu. Apparently some people prefer the safe feeling of eating at home to the dangers of going to a public place, so Domino’s sales have more than doubled.

• A group of small stores in one Tokyo area have joined together to launch an essential food/product delivery system. Customers who are afraid to venture out into the flu-infested world can just fill out a form and have the products they desire left at their doorstep.

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• dannychoo.com – Your portal to Japan (Subscribe)
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Model UN conference was source of swine flu infections?

A video news report from ATV:

The two Japanese high school students confirmed as the Kanto region’s first H1N1 infections had visited New York city between May 11th and 18th, staying in a hotel room together while participating in a Model UN conference. The event had included discussions of international issues with delegations of high school students from 16 other UN member countries. There was also a dance party (oh no!).

The event organizers have stated that they know about no other swine flu infections among the students who attended the conference.

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• dannychoo.com – Your portal to Japan (Subscribe)
• Kirainet.com – A geek in Japan (Subscribe)

Swine flu commercial: Prime Minister tells Japanese people to remain calm

This commercial, in which Prime Minister Taro Aso tells the Japanese people to remain calm in the midst of an H1N1 flu outbreak, has been airing on TV a lot in the last few days:

The commercial assures viewers that those who seek treatment for the flu will most likely be fine, and that there is plenty of Tamiflu available. Those with symptoms are told to call their local health office.
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• Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)
• dannychoo.com – Your portal to Japan (Subscribe)
• Kirainet.com – A geek in Japan (Subscribe)