9th May 2010 (12)
VISION OF A QUEER MAN
I can remember that when I was still a child in the 1950’s, I noticed that
my father was acting peculiarly. He felt that everything around us had
germs and we were instructed to avoid contacting them, otherwise we
would get sick. He cleaned his hands many times a day, usually with
strong soap. He never touched things outside our flat with his hands. If
he had to get into contact with something in public places, he always
touched them with a tissue, for example, when he pressed the buttons
in a lift. When we were young, as soon as we were home we had to
change to clothes that were worn at home only. He told us the clothes
we wore outside our flat were dirty. Our sofas at home were always
covered with a wrap which he thought was clean to sit on with our
home clothes. If we had visitors, the wrap would be taken away and
we would never sit on it unless we had our outdoor clothes on. I did not
realize that this was some kind of obsessive compulsive disorder until
when I was grown up. On the other hand, he did not regard 'dust' as
dirt. He never admitted this kind of behaviour as sickness and refused
to seek treatment. In my wedding, my father wore a pair of white
gloves when he shook hands with the guests because he believed that
other people’s hands had germs on them.
My father had an adopted sister who died from tuberculosis which at
that time was incurable and very contagious. She was survived by her
husband and two young sons. My father never visited her or kept in
touch with his adopted sister’s family because he was so afraid that he
or his family might catch this infectious disease. He was always
horrified if somebody next to him coughed. He would cover his mouth
and ran away as fast as he could. It is sad though that I never know
where my cousins are now.
Looking back, I am proud to say that my father had a vision!! His
thoughts of extreme prevention of catching germs were more advanced
than anyone else in this planet!! In 2003, Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome (SARS) broke out as an epidemic in Asia. SARS spread
mainly by close person-to-person contact. When an infected person
coughed or sneezed, they sent droplets of mucus or saliva that
contained the virus in the air. People could get SARS if the droplets
landed on their mouths, noses or eyes. Kissing, touching, sharing
utensils for eating and drinking, or talking with an infected person could
also put a person at risk. There was no treatment for SARS at that
time. During that period, we washed our hands as frequently as
possible with soap and water before we touched our eyes, noses and
mouths and before we ate anything. We all carried small bottles of
antiseptic solutions wherever we went. The Hong Kong government
bombarded people with messages like ‘Cover your mouth when you
cough or sneeze, wash your hands frequently’ etc. Many people even
went to the extreme of wearing masks when they were on the road.
Shaking hands was discouraged. It was thought that germs might be
transmitted.
Yuen-yee
VISION OF A QUEER MAN
I can remember that when I was still a child in the 1950’s, I noticed that
my father was acting peculiarly. He felt that everything around us had
germs and we were instructed to avoid contacting them, otherwise we
would get sick. He cleaned his hands many times a day, usually with
strong soap. He never touched things outside our flat with his hands. If
he had to get into contact with something in public places, he always
touched them with a tissue, for example, when he pressed the buttons
in a lift. When we were young, as soon as we were home we had to
change to clothes that were worn at home only. He told us the clothes
we wore outside our flat were dirty. Our sofas at home were always
covered with a wrap which he thought was clean to sit on with our
home clothes. If we had visitors, the wrap would be taken away and
we would never sit on it unless we had our outdoor clothes on. I did not
realize that this was some kind of obsessive compulsive disorder until
when I was grown up. On the other hand, he did not regard 'dust' as
dirt. He never admitted this kind of behaviour as sickness and refused
to seek treatment. In my wedding, my father wore a pair of white
gloves when he shook hands with the guests because he believed that
other people’s hands had germs on them.
My father had an adopted sister who died from tuberculosis which at
that time was incurable and very contagious. She was survived by her
husband and two young sons. My father never visited her or kept in
touch with his adopted sister’s family because he was so afraid that he
or his family might catch this infectious disease. He was always
horrified if somebody next to him coughed. He would cover his mouth
and ran away as fast as he could. It is sad though that I never know
where my cousins are now.
Looking back, I am proud to say that my father had a vision!! His
thoughts of extreme prevention of catching germs were more advanced
than anyone else in this planet!! In 2003, Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome (SARS) broke out as an epidemic in Asia. SARS spread
mainly by close person-to-person contact. When an infected person
coughed or sneezed, they sent droplets of mucus or saliva that
contained the virus in the air. People could get SARS if the droplets
landed on their mouths, noses or eyes. Kissing, touching, sharing
utensils for eating and drinking, or talking with an infected person could
also put a person at risk. There was no treatment for SARS at that
time. During that period, we washed our hands as frequently as
possible with soap and water before we touched our eyes, noses and
mouths and before we ate anything. We all carried small bottles of
antiseptic solutions wherever we went. The Hong Kong government
bombarded people with messages like ‘Cover your mouth when you
cough or sneeze, wash your hands frequently’ etc. Many people even
went to the extreme of wearing masks when they were on the road.
Shaking hands was discouraged. It was thought that germs might be
transmitted.
Yuen-yee
