World Class schools answered three questions about swine flu.

Find out how your school can get involved.
Find out more about swine flu from the BBC News Q&A.

San Hsin School, Taiwan

When were you last off school because you were unwell? What happened?

An-Ting, 17: Two months ago, I was off school because I was unwell. I caught a bad cold. Many of my friends caught a cold too. I asked for a day off from school because I didn’t want to pass the cold to my dear classmates.

How have you been affected by the swine flu outbreak?

Shaw-Hue, 17: I have not been affected but I was afraid of swine flu when I heard about it on TV. Especially because we have several reported cases now. I think I will be more careful and wash my hands more often.

Yu, 18: Unfortunately, several people in Taiwan have been infected by the virus. It is really bad news for my country. Now I wash my hands more often and I am more conscious when I am in public places.

Is it right to cut off one group of people in order to protect the rest of the world?

Yu-Jiun, 17: I think it is right to cut off one group of people in order to protect the rest of the world because swine flu is really terrible. We all have the responsibility to protect ourselves from getting H1N1 virus and take good care of ourselves.

Jing Fang, 17: I don't think it is appropriate to isolate or cut off infected people. We should take good care of them instead. Everyone has his right to freedom, so we should not cut off a group of people.

More from San Hsin School

Islamabad Convent School, Islamabad, Pakistan

When were you last off from school because you were unwell? What happened?

Kashoon, 12: I usually am very careful not to get sick because I always look forward to receiving a gold medal for perfect attendance at the end of the year. However, last February, I got a throat infection that prevented me from going to school and because of that, I lost my gold medal.

How have you been affected by the swine flu outbreak?

Maha, 14: Thank God, Pakistan hasn't been struck by swine flu as yet, even though a lot of rumors have it that we might be affected. My mother has told me and my little sister not to go to the zoo and public places; I am supposed to take a bath twice a day and to use a hand sanitizer after touching anything. What is more worrying in the country right now is the on-going operation in the Northern Areas of Pakistan to flush out the Taliban. And this has already caused the loss of precious lives, destruction of property and displacement of civilians.

Is it right to cut off one group of people in order to protect the rest of the world?

Asfa, 13: In my opinion, cutting-off these people is not the ultimate solution. Even if we do this, the swine flu will not vanish all together as other sources would still be present. So why should we punish these people who have already caught this flu. Instead, we should be informed of the preventive measures, so that we can protect ourselves while being sympathetic and supportive towards those who are already suffering.

More from Islamabad Convent School

Korea International School, Seoul, Korea

When were you last off school because you were unwell? What happened?

Clara: Last year I had horrible fever and cold, I had to stay at home. I reluctantly HAD to come to school because we had tests and that made me all cranky.

Christina: The last time I had a bad cold, my mom thought it would be best not to go to school for two reasons. One, it can spread to other people, and two, it doesn’t benefit me if I go to school when I'm not well since I cannot think straight when I'm sick.

Theo: I never was off school for one day because I never got fevers and or had a flu on school days. Plus, my mom never lets me go off school.

How have you been affected by the swine flu outbreak?

Christina: I am very scared because of swine flu, because you can die from it.
However this doesn't mean I am alerted every time people catch a cold.

Rebecca: I'm not sure if it’s because I'm still young, but I don’t care much about swine flu although my parents care a lot and remind me everyday before I go to school to wash my hands more frequently.

Shelley: I think some people are going over the point because they seem to think that whenever anyone gets a cold, its swine flu. Also, some people have a tendency to think that eating pork and any time of pig meat means you will get the influenza.

Is it right to cut off one group of people in order to protect the rest of the world?

Cecile: I personally think that this is a situation like the one in the movie Blindness. The government had the people infected removed from the people who weren't infected by this queer disease. They say it's for the greater good––and maybe that's true, but the isolated people could reach to the bottom of their self-esteem and lose their sanity if the isolation continues. Plus, there are very high chances that these people would lose their hopes and commit suicide if this isolation continues. Or worse––they could start doing inhumane things to the people around them such as murdering them for no reason.

Theo: No, I don't think that it is a great idea. Leaving one group to die so that other groups can live is not great. Sure, the groups that live will be happy that they live, but the group that die will be in despair and feel as if they are not wanted in this world. It is just like in the movie "Dark Night".

Austin: Yes. If there is a high danger virus, the infected people should get isolated and get special medical care. In the movie "Black Hawk Down", there were soldiers that were wounded and needed medical care, and the unwounded requested a SAR chopper, but the command post said that they cannot risk more choppers. This means that there will be more casaulities if the chopper gets shot down by the enemy.

Read more from Korea International School

Worcester Preparatory School, Berlin, Maryland, USA

When were you last off school because you were unwell?
Jamie, 12:  I have perfect attendance and cannot remember the last time I was off of school.
Halie, 15:  Last time I was off school was when I was sick with a bad cold and fever this winter.  I missed Friday, and got better over the weekend. The problem, however, was that it is very hard to do homework when you are really sick.  I had also missed tests that I needed to make up.  Missing school due to sickness is a big pain for everyone. 
Christopher, Grade 9:  I don't think I've missed school since Third Grade.

How have you been affected by the swine flu outbreak?
Halie, 15: Directly - no. I live in a state where there have been confirmed cases. Before the severity of the disease was known, I was very scared. I was worried that my mother, father or grandparents would get swine flu and die. Many of my classmates were also scared. Therefore, a lot of class time was spent talking about swine flu.
Christopher, Grade 9: I haven't been affected by swine flu whatsoever.
Jamie, 12: I have not been directly affected by the outbreak, but I am staying vigilant and avoiding contact with too many things other people have touched.

Is it right to cut off one group of people in order to protect the rest of the world?
Christopher, Grade 9: Of course, it isn't right to cut off one group of people to save the rest of the world, but if you are talking about the swine flu and people with it, then yes, maybe quarantine is a good option so that more people do not contract the disease.
Jamie, 12:  If a whole planet was at risk, it would be necessary to quarantine the affected area because many other people could die. 
Halie, 15:  Yes, provided that cutting these people off will help stop the spread of the disease.   I also think that it is ok for an unaffected country to refuse planes and ships from infected regions of the world. This makes the country isolate itself.  If this means isolation, it should be done.

Archbishop Sentamu Academy, Hull, UK
Year 8

When were you last off school because you were unwell? What happened?
Danielle:  The last time I was off school was 2 weeks ago.  I had a terrible headache and a really bad stomach ache. I went to the doctor.
Callum:  I was off school last week on Thursday because I was sick.
Jodie:  I was off a couple of months ago because I had flu.  I went to doctors and gave me some medicine. After 2 weeks I got better.

How have you been affected by the swine flu outbreak?
James:  I have been affected by the swine flu by hearing it on the news.  I am worried about my family having it, especially my grandparents that are loved most.
Danielle:  I have been affected by it because people could go on holiday and bring it back to Britain.
Lauren:  The swine flu outbreak is really scary and I would not go to a country with swine flu cases.
Francesca:  Less people are going on holiday nowadays because of this.
Callum:  I have not been affected physically but some of my friends are getting stressed over it. People who wanted to go to Mexico will not be able to go because flights have been cancelled.
Jodie:  I have been affected because after I cough and sneeze I wash my hands a lot more than I used to do before I heard about the swine flu.

Is it right to cut off one group of people in order to protect the rest of the world?
Danielle:  I am not trying to be evil but I think it is right because one group of people is better than the rest of the world getting it, and there are more chances to get a solution to this.
Lauren:  I do not think it is right to cut off people from Mexico, but on the other hand I think it is right to stop people coming from Mexico to the UK.
James:  On the one hand, yes, if it means the whole world might be affected.  We cannot take risks.  On the other hand, no, because what about if some people were on holiday when it happened and now cannot go back to their countries?  Their families will be worried and scared.
Callum:  Yes, because if people are put into quarantine they will not be able to spread it to other people.
Jodie:  No.  It is not right to cut off one group of people because everyone else could still get it and you might be splitting some families.

Ulverston Victoria High School, Cumbria, UK

When were you last off school because you were unwell? What happened?
Lauren, 13: The last time I was off school because I was ill was because I had a really bad cold (blocked nose, sore throat) and a fever. I was only off for 2 days though so I was not that bad.
Harry, 13: Last time I was unwell and off school was last year.

How have you been affected by the swine flu outbreak?
Beth, 13:  My school has a link with a Secundaria Tecnica 44 in Mexico City and I am friends with some of the students there. I got to know some of them when they visited my school last summer. I hope we can continue with our planning for our visit there in October this year. I am worried about them and their friends and family. I hope they will be OK.
Harry, 13:  I have not really been affected by the swine flu, but since the outbreak I have been taking extra care in washing my hands and sneezing into a tissue and so on.
Lauren, 13:  I have been affected by the swine flu outbreak because my school has a linking with a school in Mexico City. All my friends there have been stuck in their homes and been advised to wear facemasks. They weren’t allowed to see their friends or to go out, except in emergencies.

Is it right to cut off one group of people in order to protect the rest of the world?
Bart, 14:  I was part of the group that thought of this philosophical question when we first heard of the situation in Mexico at the end of April. After everything that has happened I still think it is a very touchy subject. On the one hand you have the world’s health at stake. On the other hand we do not want to go back to the old attitudes of the Leper Colonies.
     If possible I think that we should try to treat epidemics within our society and if the worst comes to the worst and we do need to separate some people we should give them the best care and support possible. In my opinion segregation is the wrong way to approach solving this problem. In a global society everyone is equally valuable whether they are sick or well, rich or poor and from whatever national background.
Beth, 13: No I don’t think it is right to do that. Those with swine flu are still people, with others who love and care for them others who would risk the world to be by their side until the last moment. Taking safety precautions to ensure people around the infected person don’t get ill is perfectly fine as long as people with this flu are not left alone without care.
Lauren, 13: I think if it is vital then it is right to keep one person secluded from everyone else. If it was risking a massive flu outbreak that would kill tons of people, then keeping one person quarantined would be the safest option.
Harry, 13: I believe in a worst case scenario pandemic – it is OK to separate a group if infected people from the world to stop death and widespread illness.
Rema, 14: It depends on whether the rest of the world has a decent vaccine to prevent deaths. In the UK for example we have a stock of anti viral medicine but in Mexico there is not so much. This question reminded me of a village in the time of the Plague in England that volunteered to cut itself off to prevent the plague spread round the country so much.
      I think people should volunteer to stay where they are until the flu has gone just in case other people get it and then the whole population is at risk.

Jonesboro High School, Georgia, USA

When were you last off school because you were unwell? What happened?
Hanson, 16: The last time I missed school due to an illness was about 8 grade. I had a fever, I took some medicine, about a week later I feel better.

How have you been affected by the swine flu outbreak?
Deion, 16: The Swine Flu has caused panic and paranoia in many people in Georgia. A lot of people are taking precautions to protect themselves from the virus (using hand sanitizers, avoiding shaking hands, etc.) because they are afraid of contracting the H1N1 virus.
Nicholas, 16: I live in Clayton County, Georgia and our county has two confirmed cases of the H1N1 flu virus. Due to this our community has taken every extra precaution to avoid getting the virus.
One private school, Eagles Landing Christian Academy, was closed due to 1 confirmed case of a 14 year old student. The state overall has had only a few cases but this hasn't stopped us from still being cautious.
Taylor, 18: There are only a handful of cases of the Swine Flu in Georgia including an 8 year old girl and a 14 year old student at rural private school.
Alexis, 16: People in this region are being more cautious at school and in public.
Chelsey, 17: Georgia has not been affected by the swine flu as bad as other states in the US, but people here are taking precautions and closing schools where Swine Flu cases have occurred.
Summer, 17: The Metropolitan Atlanta region has been quite affected by swine flu. A nearby school was shut down recently because of a minor case of the swine flu was discovered in a student. This has instilled a lot of fear into my community.

Is it right to cut off one group of people in order to protect the rest of the world?
Summer, 17: I think it is completely necessary to separate the world from the origin of the epidemic in order to ensure the safety of the majority of the world. The minority of people that could spread the flu should most definitely be shut off.
Destiny, 17: I think it is right to cut off a group of people to protect the rest of the world because it is unethical to knowingly infect others with a life threatening disease.

Wesgreen International School, Sharjah, UAE

When were you last off school because you were unwell? What happened?
Hiba, 14: Last year! I remember that I fell ill with a fever which resulted in me missing two days of school and I had an Art exam on the day I came back. I had loads of work to catch up on and I found it very stressful. Since the H1N1 flu virus is resulting in many schools being closed, especially in Mexico, I can imagine how the outbreak is affecting students. Being sick is not a pleasant experience at all, especially if you know you have a lot of work to catch up on. It almost makes you sick just by thinking of all the work that you'll have to do!
Neamah, 14: Around a year ago, maybe for a day. It was only a cold: a blocked nose and a sore throat.
Deema, 14: Two months ago because I had bad flu with a fever. My head hurt so badly. I couldn't sleep properly. I had tissues all over the house. I barely ate that day. My mom told me to stay at home so that I could rest. The next day I felt more comfortable because my dad got me some medicine.
Bayan, 13: To be honest, I can’t remember the last time I was off school due to an illness. I think this has to do with my mom; she only cooks things that are good for us and forces us to eat them.
Trishna, 13: I was last off school when I had chicken pox. I was not allowed to go out of the house for two weeks. I felt so horrible and alone. I felt very trapped which is how I think those who have swine flu probably feel as well.
Aisha, 14: I had flu three weeks ago. I think I caught it from my classmates which shows how an ordinary flu can be so contagious.
How have you been affected by the swine flu outbreak?
Nur, 14: Since the spreading of this epidemic of swine flu from Mexico, early this year, I felt terrified.
Jawaher, 14: I always carry my sanitizer around with me and, if I touch a door handle or something else in a public place, I clean my hands with it. My family and I are still planning to visit Europe for the summer holiday. Even though it is starting to spread widely, this won’t stop us from going because, if we catch it or even die from it, it is God’s will.
Ala’a, 14: It’s already in Egypt and it’s had a powerful effect. I do wonder if it will travel across the Middle East and find me. Still, I take some precautions; I’ve got hand sanitizer in my bag, for instance.
Farwa, 15: I really feel bad for the people of Mexico who are suffering. If swine flu spread to the UAE, I would be scared.
Badria, 14: My family and I had decided to travel in the summer, but because of this flu virus we have cancelled the trip.
Sundus, 14: I think that the Middle East should just be aware about it and not panic (as I’ve seen some people do).
Haifa, 14: Information about swine flu is on every news channel; more and more coverage of the disease is being talked about; awareness of the contagious illness is taught in many schools, colleges and offices in several countries; more people have suddenly started wearing masks. My question to the media is: Why? Why this sudden hulla-bulloo over this flu? We all realise it's extremely dangerous and spreading, but please don't exaggerate.
Raahyma, 14: The swine flu outbreak is rather depressing. Every time you turn the TV on, you hear the news channels reporting that schools have been closed in Mexico or that 50 more people have caught the disease. People are told not to greet each other; not to shake each other’s hands; and not to hug each other. So the only way left to greet someone is by saying hello and looking at them politely? We can’t show affection anymore? You can’t help but feel angry!

Is it right to cut off one group of people in order to protect the rest of the world?
Amina, 14: This situation concerning swine flu, in my opinion, has been blown completely out of proportion. People die of sicknesses all over the world, every day. Millions of people died of AIDs, thousands of cancer, but then approximately 45 people die of swine flu and sudenly there is a moral panic?
Bayan, 13: I do not think it is right. Think of how you would feel if you were isolated from the world? It wasn’t their choice to catch swine flu, so why should they pay for it?
Neamah, 14: It might be true that humans have brought this upon themselves (as we really are a despicably inconsiderate and careless species), but I truly feel that there is no need to inflict harm, danger and suffering upon others, even though those who have been infected are not always to blame. This matter could be approached similarly to the Molokai leprosy breakout. Rev. Damien de Veuster is known worldwide as the 19th century priest who aided the banished leprosy patients during the epidemic in Hawaii. The swine flu victims should not be forgotten; they should instead be helped and provided with guidance from those who can give it.
Reanne, 14: In my opinion, it is right. It could save the lives of hundreds or even thousands of other people who would have contracted it otherwise.
Deema, 14: Of course they shouldn't be isolated. That wouldn't be fair. Doctors mustn't give up. They should try all the medicines and injections they have. If they can't find another solution, then I am afraid those infected should be isolated so that they don't cause other people's deaths.
Joy, 15: I do not agree with cutting off a group of people although it would help the rest of the world. Cutting off a group of people would mean making them feel lower than they already feel. Therefore, we should try to help people diagnosed with this particular disease as soon as possible, before more people get infected by it, and die.
Nur, 14: We shouldn't cut them off, but we should put them under quarantine in order to protect the world and to stop this disease from spreading to other countries. A cure for this disease must be found quickly because, as the economic recession started end of last year, this swine flu disease in Mexico (and several other countries) made their economy dwindle abruptly and fast, especially in Mexico.
Mayss, 14: I think this is both fair and unfair. It’s fair because we are protecting other people, friends and family members from the flu so it wouldn’t spread and the number of people infected wouldn’t increase. However, it’s unfair to those who have to feel isolated because of an illness they didn’t choose to catch.

More from Wesgreen International School

Friedrich Ebert Oberschule, Berlin

When were you last off school because you were unwell? What happened?
John: The last time I was off school was some weeks ago and it was actually a little accident I had in PE where I nearly broke my nose. The last time I was ill I just had a little flu so nothing special. Luckily I haven't been badly ill for quite a long time, so no swine flu for me yet!
Beyza: The last time when I was sick and didn't go to school was roughly a week ago. The reason why was that I had a headache and felt dizzy. I was in bed the whole day because every time when I was trying to stand up, it was black in front of my eyes. Because of that I drank lot of water.
Svenja: It's a long time ago that I was so ill that I could not go to school. But the last time I had to leave the lesson was in mid-January. I had strong stomach ache and so I decided to go to a doctor to check whether I had a virus or not.

How have you been affected by the swine flu outbreak?
Svenja: When I heard about the flu I thought that this was just a joke but after I had understood the situation I tried to keep clean. I washed my fingers very often so that I did not get any bacteria. I think that is always important. At first I was a little bit afraid because I thought that the flu could be like the noro virus but when I heard that only three people were infected by this virus I was really relaxed. I also think that the swine flu is not so dangerous because there are lots of doctors to help people.
John: In Germany there have only been two or three cases since the outbreak. I saw on TV that the German government is preparing for more and more people getting infected here in Germany but I really hope that this won't happen!
I see Mexicans or people from the States scared of the virus, protecting themselves with masks or staying at home. Planes from Mexico are getting disinfected and schools are closed. I couldn't imagine a scenario like this in Berlin or Germany. But I hope that people in Germany and all over the world do not overreact and panic because of the Swine Flu because I don't think it's a really "big deal".
If we are all careful and stop the virus from spreading it will soon be over.
Beyza: I think the whole world is affected by the swine flu including me because the flu is transmittable by air. The virus can be transferred from pig to people and the other way round. It is difficult to protect oneself against swine flu but we can avoid large crowds of people and hygiene is also very important in relation to hands.

Is it right to cut off one group of people in order to protect the rest of the world?
Beyza: In my opinion it is right to cut off one group of people in order to protect the rest of the world. The rest of the world has the chance not to become ill. The more sick people there are, the worse it is. It is very important to protect the rest of the world. I talked to a pharmacist who said that that people here are relaxed about the swine flu panic since the infections are relatively mild. Only the mouth covers were sold out quickly, not the medication.
John: Yes I think it is right and sometimes necessary. But of course it depends on the reason why you want to separate some of the people whether it is right or not. In case of a virus I think it is right! If there is a known virus like Swine Flu going around in a country and you let the people go where they want the virus can easily spread all around the world. And of course you should warn people who want to travel to this area so they do not get infected and then bring the virus back home.
Svenja: I think to cut off one group of people is good because the virus can't spread out. This behaviour is also right because you can't be reckless because some people don't have a healthy immune system so they could probably die.

Wisdom Brook College, Ketu, Lagos State

When were you last off school because you were unwell? What happened?
Emmanuella: I was absent from school because I had chicken pox. I was told that it’s a contagious disease that it’s easily spreadable so I was asked to go home and return when the symptoms have reduced.
Damilola, 11: I was off school in May 2009. This is because I was affected by Malaria. I was sent home because of it.
Taiwo, 13: December 2007, I was having typhoid fever. Then I was a boarder. As medication seems to fail to treat me the school authority asked that I be taken home to my parents.
Michael, 13: I had to be off school in November 2007 because I was seriously sick. I had a high temperature that really got the school management worried. I was asked to go home so as to get proper medication from home.
Odunayo, 12: It could sometime February. I had skin rashes all over my body and it was a very bad issue for me because I had my friends running away from me for the fear that I would affect them. I had to leave school for 2 weeks.
Hannah, 12: In February 2009 I was out of school for straight 3 weeks. I had typhoid fever.
Peculiar, 11: In January 2006, I was sent off from school by the school head.  At first I felt bad but then it dawned on me that I could get other pupils infected so I didn’t take it too hard.
Toluwanimi, 11: On the 8^th of May 2009 I just had Malaria. I had to leave school for some couple of days because seriously I wasn’t functioning as I was supposed to.

How have you been affected by the flu outbreak?
Eniola, 11: I have never been affected by flu outbreak. I pray not to be.
Peculiar, 11: It’s not in my country so that makes me unaffected.

Is it right to cut off one group of people in order to protect the rest of the world?
Taiwo, 13: Yes, it’s right to because they say that prevention is better than cure. If a person or a group has the flu and drastic measures are not taken then its sure that it would create a bigger problem for the entire world. But even if they are to be isolated from the rest of the world they should be provided for.
Damilola, 11: People should not be cut off from groups or from an entire population because its not a man made phenomenon.
Eniola, 11: There are moral justifications as to why they should be separated from the rest of the world population but I think that it would be unfair to do such a thing because it would sadden the heart of those people affected. 
Michael, 13: It’s absolutely wrong to isolate a group of people from the rest of the world for a disease that they do not know the origin. I think the best thing that the international community can do is to seek for a research as to the cure or better the preventive measure.
Odunayo, 12: With my little experience I would say that it would be unfair to cut the rest of the populace from them because I know what I went through.
Hannah, 12: In my own candid opinion I think that it is right that we cut off one infected fraction of the entire population so that it would end up saving the bulk of the entire population. My reason being that we could save the race of mankind from going into extinction.
Peculiar, 11: After my experience, it’s almost impossible to say that the affected people should not be cut off to protect the larger population.

Class 2 Faith, Stewards Pooi Kei College, Shatin, Hong Kong

What happened the last time you took time off school because you were unwell?
Chloe, 13: I am not often sick. The outbreak of the swine flu makes me remember the last time I was sick was a month ago when I got a fever. My head was painful as if it was burning. I really didn't want to move at all.
Elliot, 14: I had a flu in February 2008 because two students at school were coughing and didn't wear masks. I had fever and coughing. I stayed at home for four days. On the second day of my absence, over fifteen students were absent in my class. One day, only seven people in my class went back to school.
Harry, 13: The last time I was absent from school because of sickness was in March. I got a fever so I did my homework at home.

How have you been affected by the swine flu outbreak?
Katie, 13: On the first day we went back to school after the first swine flu case in Hong Kong, we had our temperatures checked by teachers one by one, and went to wash our hands one by one.
Matthew, 13: My family was affected ever since Hong Kong confirmed its first case of swine flu. My mother ordered us to wash our hands after school and have a temperature checking before going out.
At school on the first day after the first confirmed case, the school asked all of us to have a temperature check before entering the classroom.
Chloe, 13: The outbreak of H1N1 reminds me to keep clean at all times. This outbreak is troublesome to me. I have to wash my hands every time before eating and after coming back from school. I touch nothing on the streets.
People in Hong Kong also take care of their health. We bring our alcohol hand rub to clean our hands from time to time. The government also has a campaign to clean Hong Kong.
Elliot, 14: Many people in Hong Kong are wearing masks, going to the countryside for hiking or doing other exercises to keep themselves healthy.
I pay more attention to hygiene, always washing my hands and eating more healthy food.

Is it right to cut off a group of people to protect the others?
Harry, 13: Hong Kong government has cut off a group of people in a hotel for 7 days because of one affected tourist. I don't think it is right to cut a group of people off to protect the others because it leaves the people in the group with no choice.
Matthew, 13: It is right to cut off a group of people to protect others. Hong Kong is a city with a high population density. If there is a swine flu, the citizens would be affected easily and quickly. In this case, the government should isolate the affected people to prevent an outbreak and protect all other citizens.
Katie, 13: Cutting off a group of affected people is good for many others. If the government doesn't do it, the H1N1 influenza will affect others and make more people sick.
Chloe, 13: I think we should cut off a group of people who are suffering from H1N1. If we don't cut them off, the sick will help spread the virus faster. Meanwhile the medical personnel can produce medicine which could cure the patients.

Kenton College, Nairobi, Kenya

Seli, Imraan, Sasha, Saifuddin, Naimeesh, Jade, Jesse, Nell, Alex, Micah, Benjamin, Caley, Jainish, Saloni, Harshni, Angel, Sabri, Keena and Radhika, aged 9 and 10.

When were you last off school because you were unwell?
Some of the class were ill last week with fever and a cough, they went to the doctor and were given medicine. They took time off school.

How have you been affected by the swine flu outbreak?
We worry about family who are travelling, one boy's father has been delayed in London because of swine flu and he is worried. Some family and friends are no longer going to travel. 

Is it right to cut off one group of people in order to protect the rest of the world?
Some of the class say yes we should cut people off because we don't want to get sick. Some of the class say no it is wrong because if they need help we must help them. The rest of the class say they can see why we would want to cut them off but they don't think it is very nice to do that.

Solar International School, Sanchore, Rajasthan, India

When were you last off school because you were unwell? What happened?
Sonu, 13:  I was unwell because I got fever.  I got cold.  I could not do any type of work that day.  I just lay on the bed asleep. 
Nemichand, 13:  When I was in Class 7, two years back, I got Chicken Pox. So at that time I was absent from school for 5 or 6 days.

How have you been affected by the swine flu outbreak?
Sonu, 13:  I think that swine flu is a bad virus.  I had not been under this virus because it did not reach our country. I also do not like pork.
Jai, 12:  I think it is a dangerous disease and its prevention is important.  But it is spread because of the people themselves.  But it is sad that the people who don’t eat pork can also catch this disease, and they have already caught it.
Nemichand, 13:  I feel sad when I hear that many people died because of the swine flu.

Editor: There is no evidence that swine flu is caught by eating pork.  More information on BBC News Swine flu Q&A. 

Is it right to cut off one group of people in order to protect the rest of the world?
Sonu, 13:  Yes, it is right.  Because it is a type of communicable disease so every person will get this disease.
Nemichand, 13: I think this idea is not right, however, they may be provided a separate residence to protect the rest of the people.
Jai, 12:  It is not right but essential to cut off one group of people to protect the rest of the world.

Keio Girls High School, Tokyo, Japan

How have you been affected by the swine flu outbreak?

Atuna, 16:  Firstly, influence to my daily life is not so big at this time. Only change I recognized is people wearing mask has increased. But we know that this problem concerns everyone; the swine flu may well come to Japan anytime... My father has visited Portuguese last week, and my family was worrying so much. Also, my friends in USA might be infected too... We're feeling the fear every day.

Eri, 16: In Japan, the media has played a huge part in reporting the news of the swine flu. They give many live reports.  Even though the media tells us that swine flu is not so deadly, and that people should act sensibly and in a calm manner, yet it reports that the government is on a very high alart and that this flu is deadly. This contradicts what they tell us to do. It looks as if the media is making us fall into a panic situation.
I have a feeling that Japan has made too much reports and news on this flu. I personally had enough of hearing so much reports on the flu.

Asako, 17: I don’t think Japan is affected much. There have already been many patients in the world but in Japan, there is no one who is infected. However, there is news about swine influenza every day and masks sell well.

Naoko, 14: We should wash hands, wear a mask and so on to avoid catching the influenza virus.

Is it right to cut off one group of people to protect the rest of the world?

Akiko, 17:  I think isolating patients from other people is like we're regarding them as a germ. I feel too bad for them since they've done nothing wrong.
Japan is taking so much effort on protecting this country from the patient of swine flu. Quarantining people who came back from trip is good, but multi-media is too loud about every flu even if it isn't not a swine flu. I really feel pity for patients who are suffering from flu.

Atuna, 16: Secondly, about isolation. I think it's inevitable, and I hear it is often used, but I can't say that is "right"... As an aside, I saw the movie "Pandemic" few months ago.
It was movie about fight against the prevalence of a large-scale virus which infects 25 million people. I'm so afraid that the anarchy like in this movie may happen in near future...

Eri, 16:  I think that Japan has too many prevention plans and they are not always effective, or necessary.  For example my younger brother, who is in secondary school now, has to take his temperature every single morning for a week in advance before he and his year group go on an over night school trip. I could not see any point in doing that.  What effective plans has the school got if one of the students were found to have temperature?
 
Naoko, 14: I think we can't prevent the influenza virus from coming to Japan and infecting people. According to the news, a high school student who has the virus could not be found at Narita airport.

Asako, 17: I think isolating patients is unavoidable because unless we do this, the flu will spread more and more.

Waseda University School, Tokyo, Japan

How have you been affected by the swine flu outbreak?
Kowa, 18: The fact that it is a new strain of influenza virus means that most institutions do not know how to tackle it effectively. The university stated that it would close all classes if there was one case of person to person infection, but later stated that as it was considered a weak strain, they would "decide later and notify the students accordingly."
My father's trip to the US and Germany was also cancelled because of influenza.
 
Is it right to cut off one group of people to protect the rest of the world?
Hokuto, 15: Right now, I think the swine flu has severe impact on people. I think it is good to separate human who is infected by the flu, because then we can prevent the inflation of flu.
For example in Japan, there is an investigation for people who came back from overseas to check if he/she haven't been infected by the flu.
Kowa, 18: I think quarantine is a must to ensure the safety of the populace. Although it is not a particularly strong strain of influenza, the fact remains that people have died from it. It is necessary to make sure that there are no more fatalities than need be.
My feeling: I think this whole influenza problem brought to light the problems of the Japanese media. It has the tendency to blow issues way out of proportion. Every time someone has been diagnosed positive to any type of influenza, the press reports it immediately. While it is good to raise awareness, I think that this is going way too far. However, the Japanese government's efforts to keep the patients to a minimum is going on very well.

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