Citizen Bytes

I don't mean to be a prude, but I would prefer that any Canadians coming back to Canada from Mexico - should be quarantined until it's known that they don't have the H1N1.

I would like to protect my home and MY family, and I can't do that if there are people coming back from Mexico and spreading this stupid flu to the rest of the world!!!! WAKE UP.

I'm sorry to hear that your unpleasent experience in China. but the thing is that the virus has an about one week latent period. I'm wondering that's the reason why your family had been treated in that way. despite the approach could be somehow inappropriate, it was for everyone's safety, wasn't it?

I know your feeling now, but I do believe that Chinese authority is not mean to be directed against anyone or any country at all, at this very moment, all countries have to cooperate together to fight against the flu.

above are my very personal opinions. I apologize if anything might make you unconfortable. Thank you! God bless us all:)

My heart goes out to you and your wife. Please do understand that both the Chinese government and some comment writers do not understand the science behind this flu, nor the fact that it has been classified as mild. People die yearly from the regular flu and no one would ever be allowed to travel if they kept track of those fatalities.
My best advice would be to contact both the government here and the Consulate in Hong Kong - 85 (2) 3719 4700 (www.hongkong.gc.ca) I am not sure if this will help as there seems difficulty in getting people in the hotels released. I hope your wife is well and comes home shortly.

That can't be very nice for you or your wife and I can understand.
Also too though, I understand the governments. They have something they feel is a threat in the form of a pandemic. Your wife was in the area. She is one person they have quarantined to protect millions. They aren't hurting her, she's not in any pain or suffering. Relax, enjoy the 7 day forced 'vacation' and ride it out.
I don't see this being a legal problem or something the government should spend tons of money on causing a ruckus when she'll be free in a week.
She's not the only one and fighting will only make it worse. I don't think the Chinese will be so kind to just let her go after the week of quarantine if she complains non-stop for a week. ...then again, maybe they would be. ;)

I've been in China for the last two years and I'm just planning to come back home to Canada for a summer visit. I have to admit I'm thinking twice about it and I'm more worried about Customs hassling me, both Canadian and Chinese, than I am about the Swine Flu.

I certainly would not want to find myself in quarantine. That being said I think it is a necessary precaution given the circumstances. As someone who has worked with CBSA I’ve had first hand experience as to just how important these procedures and practices are to the safety of our country and people. I just hope that those who are in quarantine are treated well and get out with a clean bill of health.

I am of the belief that China is the only one taking this seriously... I'm now nervously waiting for the evidence to show that you can indeed get this disease from eating pork.

Has anyone from the Canadian Consulate been alerted to her detainment? If I leave my home country for any reason, I have phone # and addresses in my wallet and have thankfully never needed them. Contact your MP and Senator immediately.

Demand return calls and get the names of EVERY person contacted along the way.
Officials get more cooperative if the y know that you know who they are.

On the other hand, I just got back from a mexico vacation on saturday and had no trouble at all travelling from mexico to toronto. I got one thermometer put to my head and a quick questionnaire that they stamped and sent me on my way. There was no screening at all in Toronto. And to top it all off, I'm back at work in a hospital as of Monday.

I inquired with employee health if i could return to work as normal, and they said yes as long as i didn't have symptoms. Isn't the incubation period like 5 days? Anyhoo, my point is, i almost wish there were more precautions being taken in canada. They dont seen to be doing much COMPARED to the hype that's in the media. Its a hard code to crack. I'm still left a little puzzled. I'm sorry you're situation was such a bad one though. Very unfortunate, there needs to be some middle ground here. n

I work in an office that also "suggested" a one week quarantine to one of the employee that just returned from Mexico. I think in times like this...we all have to understand the situation and not blame anyone for being to careful. What if the person did spread the virus...would the freedom of a few extra days be worthwhile? What if the virus contributed an innocent person to die?

I think to be a global village we all have to respect the local governing body. Western nations always have a view that they are superior to other countries and that can be a start for misunderstanding.

I have been writing about this since the beginning. I am Mexican, currently in living for good in Canada. Although, I am currently in Mexico City on business. I am an MD, PhD candidate at UBC. My only comment to all is that ignorance is the worst virus. The virus has no nationality (in fact the evidence suggest that it originated in USA) same as ignorance. The virus does not fly, transpire, or jumps. Is an influenza virus, a new one, but is not a monster. Please, we have more evidence than 2 weeks ago.
I am ashamed of our species, we are supposed to be more intelligent. Which country is the next one?

There is not going to be any science showing you can get this from pork. Influenza simply doesn't spread that way, and if you cook your pork it kills anything that would be living in it. Swine flu is an unfortunate name because people are catching it not from pigs at this point but from other people. It's part human flu and part swine flu.

I think the woman in question should have been accurately informed as to the restrictions before she went to China, and she should have the ability to phone others as well as the option to return to Mexico immediately rather than be involuntarily quarantined in Hong Kong.