Ty-inphluenza

...the pun works better in Japanese (really it doesn't work at all). It refers to H1N1, swine flu, or "Influenza" as the Japanese call it, unaware that in English this is the generic term for a type of virus, and a Typhoon currently making its way across Japan. Both topics were discussed in my schools today.

Sometime this morning one of the teachers I work with asked me if I knew what a typhoon was (in Japanese: taifuu), or if there were typhoons in America. I said yes and explained that we called them hurricanes, that 'typhoons' were only in the Pacific, and did not affect the West Coast of the US. Assuming she was just making conversation I didn't think much of it. After another teacher mentioned 'taifuu' and I noticed the light but steady rain throughout the day, I realized there was indeed a reason for mentioning this.

Right now, basically the entire nation of Japan is covered by a typhoon. This consists of high winds and heavy rain, but the area I live doesn't seem too affected, probably because of the mountains. Nevertheless, it is possible that the city will decide it unsafe for children to go to school tomorrow (many of whom walk) and cancel classes. Teachers will still have to go, but whether or not I will is still up in the air. In any case, I'm bringing a book.

In addition to extreme weather there is a pending viral plague. Last week three students in my junior high had confirmed cases of H1N1, or 'influenza' as the Japanese call it. They were all in the same class so the school all the students in that class home for two days. This can be fairly effective at my school because junior high students have all their courses with the same class and there isn't a lot of mixing between them (except for after school activities and clubs). This week there are at least three more confirmed cases of influenza, each in three separate classes (each different from the class that was already sent home). This represents half the students at my school and I'm not sure exactly what the threshold is for sending everyone home.

The combination of a typhoon and influenza has had two noticeable results: 1. I can no longer distinguish between my junior high students because most of them are wearing (oversized) uniform jackets and masks and; 2. The school may have to postpone its culture festival.

The culture festival (or 'bunkasai') is supposed to be this Friday. Every class has a few students performing short 30-60 minute plays with a brass band performance at the end. During their free time on Thursday, students will make final preparations and rehearse for the last time before performing. Or at least they would if they had school. Currently there is no clear plan for what to do if the typhoon delays rehearsals or if influenza forces whole classes to stay home from school. There's also a holiday on Monday, further complicating things.

We'll see what happens. I wouldn't mind staying home tomorrow instead of going to an empty school and trying to look busy for eight hours.