So there's been a massive outbreak of influenza at my school. At least 35 first graders and 15 second graders have been infected: some with the regular influenza, and some with the type-A Russian influenza that I had in January, and some with the swine flu. Of course this means that the entire two grades are shut down for a week, and everyone is confined to their houses. Of course, I still have to go to school anyway, even though I have no classes. Actually, this week is the sports festival, so the first and second graders get to miss that. I don't know whether they are lucky or not, but they were mostly all looking forward to it so I guess not. On top of all that, the Emperor's flock of birds, which are raised right here in Koshigaya, have also come down with bird flu. Good thing that there's no such thing as rice paddy flu; I'd never be able to leave my house again.


