Tangent 21 - Sars

Posted by
Sange

Posted on
12:11
Apr 24 2003

Sars

I wondered what everyone else was thinking and feeling about this possible threat?

To be honest it was something I had heared about a few times and not really paid much attention to untill I watched the news last night and saw just how much of a threat this may be.

I was amazed at the reaction by the Toronto Mayor saying he was angry that the health chiefs were wrong to advise people not to travel there unless necessary even though there have been 15 people have died there and some 7000 (I'm sure thats what they said ) were in quarentine.

I was also amazed that in this country we are relying on infected places to screen passengers arriving here, and that we don't appear to be taking the threat of Sars seriously enough

So what do you think? should we be taking this more seriously? should we be worried? or do you think there is really nothing to worry about?

43 Replies and 5644 Views in Total. [ 1 2 3 ]

JtB If someone gives you freedom it is not freedom, freedom is something you take for yourself.

[quote]by Funky Monkey

I dont see the need to insult me.

(quotes)

From what I see he wasnt insulting you but your statement lets not make this personal.

How do you suggest we protect ourself for SARs, the only way I can see that we would be safe from SARs (not that we are in any danger) in to close all borders as the screening process basically is not completly fool proof. Not only is closing borders ethically and economically unviable but is completly unworkable.

Posted: 23:29 Apr 30 2003

Kate "Have you been gargling with bong water?!"

Wow - volatile debate...

My standpoint is this:

Yes, SARS should not be dismissed lightly. However, when you consider that it originated and was allowed to proliferate in just about the most densely populated area of the world, 4000 cases or so globally is not really such a big deal - there are probably more people in crammed into one carriage of a train on the Circle Line in the morning

If you are unfortunate enough to contract this disease, you stand around a 95% chance of making a full recovery. Not such terrible odds.
The mortality rate so far compares favourably per capita against the last bad flu outbreak in this country, and I didn't see the WHO falling over themself to quarantine the UK.

As for China's current position of closing public buildings - this doesn't indicate wisespread infection - merely a slightly heavy-handed "prevention is better than cure" attitude.

I shan't be kept awake by it, myself. There are enough things in the world to be scared of as it is

Posted: 00:12 May 01 2003

Incandenza It's not a zero-sum game.