Saudi Teacher Goes on Shooting Rampage Saudi
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Min 6º Max 21º FREE www.kuwaittimes.net NO: 16784- Friday, February 12, 2016 Artist explores NATO sends Love injured as life and society warships on Cavs down Kobe, in Kuwait 4 Aegean11 mission Lakers47 120-111 SaudiSaudi teacherteacher goesgoes oonn shootishootinngg rarampmpageage See Page 10 JAZAN: Ambulances and security are seen outside a Ministry of Education office, located in Al-Dayer, Jazan region, Saudi Arabia in this handout photo. Several peo- ple were killed yesterday in a mass shoot- ing at an education department in south- ern Saudi Arabia. Others were injured in the shooting. The attacker has reportedly been arrested. — AP Local FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016 Local Spotlight Photo of the day Zika virus a threat By Muna Al-Fuzai [email protected] t seems the world now is in a state of confusion and Ifear with the rapid spread of a new virus called Zika. The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that the virus is a threat to public health and in the absence of a vaccine for treating patients, this has increased concerns among health depart- ments around the world. The WHO also announced earlier this month that Zika, which has appeared in approximately 26 countries, a global health emer- gency. Do we have to worry about this virus in Kuwait, and what should we do? The WHO had sent out warnings of the possibility of Zika virus transmissions to some Arab countries, and the importance of taking neces- sary precautions. Although the infection does not cause any symptoms or permanent damage, the biggest problem is the fear of infection by pregnant women and the possibility of deformation of the brains of fetuses. Medical reports have confirmed the possibility of transmission of Zika from a pregnant mother to the fetus through the placenta, which leads to micro- KUWAIT: Kuwait police personnel rappel down ropes near the iconic Kuwait Towers in this file photo. —- Kuna cephaly. The fear exists during the first four months of pregnancy, and it was announced by the Brazilian min- istry of health that a link is seen between pregnant women infected with Zika and microcephaly in babies. Just kiddin’, seriously This disease causes the size of skulls to shrink, limits brain development and causes abnormalities of the fetus. Babies either die or are born mentally, acousti- Unify - not divide cally or visually disabled. These concerns and warnings must be taken into consideration here at pregnancy and maternity clinics. By Sahar Moussa question is, if a poor expat is extremely sick and needs Zika is transmitted to humans by the Aedes aegypti to go to a public hospital in the morning should he or mosquito in tropical areas, not a major concern for she wait till the evening? Or rather, do sicknesses have most Arab states. The danger of this virus lies in the timings or schedules too? This is absolutely ridiculous. absence of a preventive vaccine, but according to It reminds me of the post-slavery era in the US, when reports, it does not pose any risk to the health of ordi- [email protected] they used to write on buses, restaurants and hospitals, nary people or requires special medications. It causes “No Colored People Allowed”. I have heard a lot of mild fever and pain, and requires bed rest and plenty Kuwaitis defending this law - saying, ‘why should we of fluids. In the case of worsening of symptoms, a per- ust when you think you have heard or seen it all in wait for days in order to get an appointment in our own son may be hospitalized until the symptoms go away Kuwait, there will always be something weird and country due to the large number of expat patients? Well after 7-10 days at most. Jabsurd that will blow your mind. Where shall I start? my answer is - an oil-rich country like Kuwait should The WHO has announced that the countries of the Let me start talking about an incident that happened to have enough hospitals and qualified personnel for just eastern Mediterranean region are safe from the virus me at the police station. I’m sure that everybody (expats its 3.5-million population - or even less. with no recorded case of Zika. The eastern or locals) have had at least one experience at the police Where are all the petro-dollars? Why is the system Mediterranean region includes Jordan, Afghanistan, station or with the police in general for whatever rea- flawed? If we are able to answer these questions, we will United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Bahrain, Tunisia, Libya, son. To my bad luck - I lost my wallet. As if that is not be able to know why these laws are enacted. If Kuwaitis Iran, Syria, Djibouti, Sudan, Somalia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, enough, I have my civil ID, driving license, bank cards, really want an expat-free hospital, I think it will be wise Kuwait, Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and transactions information card, press ID card and some also to hire ‘only Kuwaitis’ to work as doctors, nurses, Yemen. But recently, Egypt’s health minister money inside the wallet all missing. lab technicians, cleaners, mortuary attendants, drivers announced that Zika-carrying mosquitoes have This happened on a Thursday, so the normal thing to etc in the same hospital. More so, similar restrictions are entered Egypt in limited areas in the provinces of do is to report the incident to the police. That is what I in place at the other government agencies such as the Minya and Assiut. So far, the reports say everything is did. I went around 3pm immediately after I lost the wal- traffic department, which handles applications from under control. let. When I explained my situation to the police officer, Kuwaitis only in the morning and expats during the However, this does not mean that the countries of he asked me: “Why didn’t you come to report before evening. the region are excluded from this danger. Citizens of 3pm (during our working hours) - we are closed now.” The last but not the least is - the traffic law. Do you And he asked me to come on Sunday! some countries such as Iraq and Syria, for example, know that Kuwait has adopted a policy to deport expa- I asked the police officer, how shall I drive without my may be vulnerable to the spread of Zika and must triates for committing at least three ‘grave traffic viola- driving license - at least give me an official paper that therefore be cautious. It seems that we have no choice tions that endanger lives.’ According to traffic authori- shows that I have reported the incident (God forbid) if but to follow the typical methods of prevention to ties, this law is necessary to help instill discipline in anyone uses it for their own interests. He said there is eliminate this disease. expat drivers, address the chaotic road situations and nothing he could do and insisted that I should come on The only way to avoid infection is to avoid mosqui- ensure full compliance with the driving rules and regu- Sunday. Please correct me if I’m wrong, isn’t the police to bites that transmit the disease. WHO works closely lations. I respect the law in all its terms, but only if it’s force supposed to be on duty 24/7? with ministries of health to identify any suspected case implemented fairly on both locals and expats. But where Funny enough, I think this is just a tip for criminals - if as soon as possible. Experts fear that the virus is is the fairness when you deport an expat for violating you want to steal or commit crime, Thursday is just your spreading rapidly, though there have been no cases of these laws, and do not take an equally extreme measure day, because ‘Kuwait police stations have limited work- the virus in Arab countries. This may be because the against Kuwaiti violators? I think laws are supposed to ing hours on Thursdays.’ Another thing I find insane and protect and unite individuals irrespective of their outbreak coincided with winter, as mosquitoes breed inhuman is the morning and afternoon schedule in the during summer and spring, but the ministries of health nationalities or gender. When you break the law you hospitals. According to the new rule, Kuwait bars expats should be punished equally. Laws are supposed to unify in Arab countries recommend exercising caution and from going to public hospitals in morning hours. So my taking preventive measures. - not to divide. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016 Local Sakina Al-Kout Beating back the boundaries: Artist explores life and society in Kuwait By Ben Garcia rt has few boundaries itself but is often controlled or limit- ed by the society in which artists live. Local Kuwaiti artist ASakina Al-Kout, an enthusiast turned professional, believes boundaries are set by people who do not want change or progress. “We must allow creativity to flourish in us, and this can only be done if we are committed to exploring and creating new ideas and accepting challenges. Reject being confined in a box - there is more to explore around us; there is more to discover out there. We have unlimited possibilities, so why allow anyone to control your brilliance in something that you could be good at,” she said. Sakina’s work has been displayed in many countries around the world and people particularly adore her work because it reflects not just her passion for art, but represents her own dynamic and energetic character. “You see the dynamism, you see the happiness, you see the sadness, but most of all, you see me, the real me, in the mixture of bright and dark colors,” she noted.