Netizens angered by mum who brought kids infected with HFMD to playground

It is natural for parents to prioritize their child’s health and welfare above everything else. A mother’s post about taking her ill daughter to the park sparked much outrage from netizens when Facebook user Vivien Weiqi shared a post informing netizens of the dangers of bringing their Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD)-infected children to public parks.

Vivien posted a screengrab of an Instagram story from one of the mothers in her parenting groups. The photo featured two children playing on a park swing with a caption that read “HFMD but still smiling [flexed biceps emoji].” The username of the mother and faces of the children were censored in the post.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a highly contagious virus spread by direct person to person contact through coughing, nasal discharge, saliva, faeces, and fluids from the blisters of an infected person. Symptoms of the disease include fever, sore throat, rashes or blisters, mouth sores, poor appetite, and lethargy.

Young children are most prone to infection, and school grounds are often found to be a breeding ground for the disease if proper sanitation methods are not followed.

In a tone of disbelief and tempered anger, Vivien implored parents to “be more responsible” if their children are infected with HFMD. She wondered if the mother was even aware of the severity of the disease and how it spreads.

Netizens expressed their disgust and rage at the “irresponsible” mother who not only endangered her children but other kids as well. Another concerned netizen identified the playground to be near the Woodlands Crescent block, located near a school. Others commented that it is better to educate the ill-informed mother about her actions rather than just express anger on social media.

The Ministry of Health advises parents to keep their children away from public spaces if they are infected with HFMD. Parents must also provide a doctor’s medical certificate before their children are allowed to go back to school./TISG