Asian leaders are meeting in Thailand in an attempt to co-ordinate measures to contain the spread of the Sars virus, which has claimed at least 330 lives - mostly in East Asia.
Thousands of people have been quarantined in the worst-hit country, China, where the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned the virus has not yet peaked.
Has the Sars outbreak affected you? Have you changed travel plans because of the spreading virus? Will you heed WHO warnings? Do you think the international community has overreacted? E-mail us with your experiences.
The following comments reflect the balance of views we have received:
 There are many illness in the world, if we took them all as seriously as Sars we wouldn't leave our homes  |
I work for a recruitment company-for the oil/gas industry-we place people to work in Singapore, China, Malaysia, Nigeria, all over the world, and have had more worries about contracting Malaria than Sars. Totally blown out of proportion-none of our employees seem bothered-there are many illness in the world, if we took them all as seriously as Sars we wouldn't leave our homes.
S, UK
The issue of Sars has been pounced on by the media as a killer bug, which is not at all helpful, it only manages to create panic and encourage the spread of misinformation. And how are we dealing with it in UK? Two friends of mine have just returned from Singapore. She, a nurse dealing with some of the most vulnerable people as far as infection is concerned, was told to go back to work, there is no problem. Her husband, who works for the police force and who does not meet members of the public, was told to stay at home for the duration of the incubation period, 10 days. Such inconsistencies can only serve to confuse people.
Wendy Easterlow, England
I'm at University for a year here in Hong Kong and I've been amazed by the hysteria created by the media and what people really need now is a degree of perspective. Sars isn't going away but life has to go on. Paying more attention to hygiene, one's own health and the health of others, are all pragmatic ways of fighting Sars. Hysteria simply gets us no-where and while we should be frightened of the unknown, I've witnessed people here in Hong Kong paralysed by fear.
Najette Ayadi O'Donnell, Hong Kong from the UK
We've had our holiday to Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand booked for 6 months - we're supposed to be leaving on 2nd May. The past couple of weeks have been so stressful - not knowing what to do/whether to go. We've finally decided that we will go any way - chances are we'll have a fabulous holiday...
Helen Godfrey, UK
As a citizen of the UK, I am horrified that the British government are doing so little to screen visitors or people returning from affected areas. It is, I believe, this laid back approach, a "we have nothing to worry about" attitude and greedy concern about the negative economic impact Sars will have that precisely got China into this mess.
May, London, UK
I found the effect of Sars to be psychologically devastating |
I'm an Asian student in the UK. Though my country isn't declared by WHO as an affected area, I didn't go back home during the holidays. However, when I came back to school yesterday, I found the effect of Sars to be psychologically devastating. All Chinese, HK, and Taiwanese students who went home have been sent away to be under quarantine for 10 days. My school has put a notice everywhere, advising all students to stay away from any students returning from the areas concerned otherwise they have to be under quarantine themselves.
PR, UK
I'm a medical student intern in the hospital. I feel sorry to see several international airlines and companies address irresponsible requests in order to keep their businesses profitable. It's astonishing that even a developed country like Canada would neglect the global war against the epidemic and pressure WHO to reconsider its advisory while they've lost about 20 doctors and nurses with local transmission. If disease control fails in hospitals, will it be more successful in the theatres, the markets, the cafeterias and shopping malls?
Estelle Lee, Taiwan
The fact that "declared" Sars cases are now higher in Beijing than in Guangdong (and still rising) shows how early the first cases of Sars must have appeared in the capital. Why SARS patients and medical staff had to tour the city in buses and ambulances for hours if it's not to hide the early occurrence of SARS in Beijing to WHO officials during their first visit there? The behaviour of the Chinese government in this matter as in many others is totally unacceptable.
DM, Canada
SARS seems not to influence my daily life too much, I was still travelling to Singapore at the end of March, and I kept my life as normal. From my point of view, SARS may not have infected a lot of people here in Taiwan, but has affected some people in a psychological way. I wish this unwelcome virus could be under control shortly, especially in China.
Ruth, Taiwan
The economic fallout from Sars paranoia is going to be far more devastating than the disease itself |
The economic fallout from Sars paranoia is going to be far more devastating than the disease itself. After all its fatality rate is less than 4%. We really need to get some perspective or people is HK and Singapore, and the travel and tourism industries are going to lose their livelihoods.
Joy, USA
I am a business owner in Canada who has been affected by the WHO travel advisory. Of course I am concerned about the spread of Sars, however, now that the WHO has admitted the 'worst of the epidemic' is over in Toronto why hasn't the advisory been lifted. No new cases outside of hospital workers have been reported in over two weeks, and they have all been quarantined. Does this not indicate the outbreak is under control?
David, Canada
I am working in the airline industry and this has affected our flights to East Asia in a very negative way, threatening our jobs and therefore our lives.
Hossein Hosseini, Iran
If the threat from Sars does not subside soon, it may affect employment here |
I work in the travel industry here and Sars has caused a large drop in the profit we expect to make at this time of year. This has already caused management to start belt tightening measures. If the threat from Sars does not subside soon, it may affect employment here.
Grace, Philippines
Let's keep things in perspective. We are not talking an incurable disease like Aids. In fact the cure rate is very high for early detection in healthy people. We just need to be sensible and take more care with health and hygiene in these times. Apart from that life goes on.
KN, Hong Kong
I agree that proper precautions need to be in place to prevent further spread. However, this is very difficult to do without impinging on people's civil rights in a world where you can be almost anywhere else within a day!
Nicola Young, Canada
Our local business has been seriously damaged by Sars. Some of my clients from overseas are not coming to our trade show this month. I just hope that people all over the world could come together hand in hand to fight this deadly virus. Let's not blame anybody for it but take serious alerts and necessary measures. God bless us all!!
Scott W. Yang, Taiwan
Great sympathy to the Canadians but they must face Sars in a more serious way. After all, they are the fourth most infected country in the world. If people and the authority there are not alerted then Sars will quickly spread to the rest of the continent and affect even more people.
Dave, UK
An earlier comment by Mike from Japan indicated his worry over an antibiotic-resistant strain of Sars. It is worth noting that Sars is a virus, not a bacteria, and as such, antibiotics would be useless anyway. Treatment modalities for Sars include anti-virals and steroids. It is the over-prescription/over-consumption of antibiotics to treat non-bacterial infections that has given rise to super bugs of the bacterial variety, but not of the viral variety. Bacterial infections are unrelated to the Sars virus.
Dan Smitts, Canada
Start preparing for the worst Lois Peroni, Toronto, Canada |
As a Canadian who is affected by Sars in a bad way, I am very angry to see that most Canadians are pretending that nothing has happened. They are acting like an ostrich hiding in the sand. The fact is, streets are empty, business are way down, many shops are closed, and Sars is still infecting people on a daily basis. Please, for the sake of the people in North America and the rest of the world, start preparing for the worst.
Lois Peroni, Toronto, Canada
If you are scared by Sars every day, you will be beaten by it. Just ignore it, keep psychologically healthy. I'd also like to thank the Chinese nurses here. They are the foundation of the country.
Ming, China
Haven't we just seen the consequence of self denial in China? Toronto's attitude towards Sars could cause serious harm to the whole world. We, over the border in Buffalo are extremely worried about the situation as immigration controls between Canada and USA are simply non-existent.
Hoda Yosuf, Buffalo, New York, USA
I'm going to be in Guangzhou on May 20th of this year. From what I understand, about 1,000 cases have been reported in the Guangdong province. The population of the city of Guangzhou is several million people. And the death rate is about three or four percent. If you break it down, I have a less than one percent chance of getting the disease and about a 0.03 chance of getting it and dying from it. I think the fear of this is way over blown because, statistically, more people die of influenza and pneumonia then from Sars. I understand the concern but not the level of fear concerning Sars. I'm still going on my trip. I refuse to be dominated by unwarranted fear.
Jeremy Hopkins, USA
Sars is keeping people away from the whole region Susan Johnston, Indonesia |
I'm an American living in Bali, and I've been affected by SARS in a variety of ways. First, my business activities in Bali are way down, because almost no one is travelling in the region, and the streets are almost empty in tourist areas. Bali was already hard hit by the terrorist bomb in October, and then the war, followed by stricter visa requirements and higher fees. Now it's Sars, which is keeping people away from the whole region, although we have no cases here in Bali. It is all so daunting, that many expats here are making contingency plans to clear out quickly if we have to.
Susan Johnston, Indonesia
Living in the great city of Toronto, I can safely say that one would not feel the panic and life is going on as usual. The Canadian government and health officials here are doing an exceptional job in dealing with Sars. This too will pass, and there is a lesson to be learned - be better prepared for all eventualities.
Nick, Canada
I live in Toronto, Canada and I must say I have not been affected by Sars. I believe that the media has blown this entire situation way out of proportion. I was watching an American news programme yesterday and they were showing footage of people running around franticly with hospital masks on their faces in China whilst the newscaster talked about Toronto. This is giving innocent viewers the impression that our entire city is in chaos, when in fact that is not the case.
Stefanie, Canada
Canadian arrogance over the WHO mention of Toronto is ridiculous. Instead of spending time and money claiming that you are a safe city, who don't you try and make sure that Sars doesn't spread in North America?
Sanjeev Koppal, India/Kuwait
My businesses have been badly hit since the outbreak of Sars |
I own a pub and a hair salon in East Beijing. My businesses have been badly hit since the outbreak of Sars. Yesterday I had only one customer at my salon and half a dozen came to the pub. I have seen the reports of similar situations in Toronto, yet nobody seems to care about businesses in Beijing.
Tailan Wang, Beijing
My parents live in China. Although their city is not reported to be a badly-hit area, the panic makes them scared. The government should have enough courage to confront the disaster of the virus.
Tan, USA
I returned from Toronto Canada yesterday, and the only information I received was a leaflet at the airport. I have since contacted my GP, who advised me to contact the local hospital. They advised me to contact NHS Direct, who then told me to look on the World Health website. It just seems that nobody has a clue what is going on. I was never informed by my travel company or by the airline that there is a problem. I agree that there should be some form of test before returning from an affected country.
Jane Cassidy, UK
I have now lost all my confidence in the governments of HK and China |
My life has changed significantly since the outbreak of Sars in Hong Kong. Like many Chinese/Canadians, I have immediate family members still live in HK. Calling home has become very "unpleasant" because the conversations are all about Sars. I have now lost all my confidence in the governments of HK and China. The former has demonstrated extreme incompetence and lack of leadership under a crisis. The latter has done a fabulous job in demonstrating the notion of "hiding all secrets at any costs", even at the great expense of humanity.
LC, Canada
I have not been directly affected but Singapore really is in a bad way, it's like a ghost town. It relies so much on commerce and tourism. The businessmen are staying away - some of their companies won't let them travel - and the tourists are too. I heard on the local news that hotels are at 10% occupancy. 10%! They are having to lay staff off or make them take unpaid holidays. The shops are deserted, the restaurants especially, and the poor taxi drivers have very little work. The government is having to provide hardship relief.
Bee, Singapore
I would also like to complement the health workers for working so tirelessly |
I am a Malaysian working in Germany, but I can't help but feel worried for my family and friends back in Malaysia and Singapore. Most of my friends are in Singapore and we have been constantly keeping in touch. My sister who is pregnant, works in Singapore but has taken two weeks' off due to the Sars situation. I think right now, the most important thing is for the citizens of the affected countries to stand shoulder to shoulder behind their governments and support them wholeheartedly. I would also like to complement the health workers for working so tirelessly and selflessly for the Sars patients. They are a credit to society, and for those people who avoid the health workers in public places in Singapore (saw that on the internet), shame on you!!!
Steven Khu, Germany
I am an ex-pat working in Toronto with my wife, and I have to say the timing of the WHO announcement seems very strange, given the local authorities have been announcing improvements in the numbers of Sars cases reported over the last few weeks. It was recently reported that the authorities felt the epidemic peaked 3 weeks ago, and the number of new cases has been steadily falling ever since.
Phil Mather, Toronto
I have had a very similar virus in March, high temp, dry viral pneumonia resulting in a hospital stay of a week and powerful intravenous antibiotics. I believe mine was caught during air travel in Europe. They said it wasn't Sars but it sounds identical. I suspect Sars is already here, but some strains are survivable. An associate also had it after a flight back from Australia via Hong Kong; she cracked several ribs and ended up in hospital unable to breathe too, in February.
Wendy Boast, England
Yes, I have been affected by SARS. I was in China when the outbreak began but since they ban the BBC web site, I didn't find out until I had already arrived in Vietnam that such an outbreak was taking place. After learning what SARS symptoms are, I now believe that I caught some kind of mild case of SARS in Cambodia. At the time, I thought it was the worst cold I had ever experienced and I had a fever for 8 days plus was choking on my own phlegm. I didn't go to the hospital (I didn't realize it was serious) and the fever broke when I was in Laos. I'm still backpacking in Asia. I'm on the border with Thailand and Malaysia at this time but have cancelled my plans to see Malaysia and Singapore. I am leaving Asia tomorrow as I can't help feeling anxious about catching a serious infection of SARS and being away from my family.
VB, UK
A lot of people are commenting on the fact that malaria is far more prominent than SARS. But it seems to me that SARS just hasn't yet arrived in third world areas. Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing, Toronto these are all cities with decent infrastructures. Surely if SARS was as widespread as Malaria we would have death rate figures increasing dramatically in countries without proper facilities. Even the UK has limited ability to deal with a mass outbreak?
MDC, UK
It makes me think I'd be better of where I am |
I'm here working just now, and we have our first suspected cases, most folks go to China for medical treatment so this is how the suspected cases came in. I can't help but notice the contrast between here and the UK where by all accounts the number of cases have been the same. Here we have a civil emergency, are theoretically supposed to wear masks, the government has had 8000,000 made and issued to those with health insurance. Most of the big markets have been closed, bars etc must shut by 10, no public performances etc. and the border to China closed for a provisional two weeks.
OK, most of it is probably the over reaction of a government that needs to be seen to be doing something, given it's close links to China, and heaven help us if we do have a major outbreak, because there is no way our paltry medical services can hope to cope. But compare even this effort with the UK Government's s refusal to put in even rudimentary measures "just in case"! such as the ability too quarantine suspects even especially as no one fully understands transmission methods yet, it makes me think I'd be better of where I am?
Lol, Mongolia
The place were I work is close to Amoy Garden in Hong Kong, a place were over 300 people were infected by SARS. Two of my work colleagues come from Amoy Gardens. I live in Sham Tseng Village which has 3 confirmed cases of SARS. One in the complex were one of my sons attends pre-primary. I travel to China for work and there have been fatalities in the areas I travel too. We are more careful especially having children. We stay at home a lot more, we eat healthy foods, sleep 8 hours, avoid drinking alcohol and wash our hands frequently. Apart from that life must go on!
Antony Wilks, Hong Kong
I am a 29-year old British expat living in Hong Kong with my wife and 7-month old daughter. Obviously the most important thing for me is the health of my baby. My wife isn't working and because of the huge panic among expats with kids a few weeks ago, they have fled to Scotland to keep safe. I am of course grateful that I am able to send them out of harm's way. But, I personally believe the chance of my catching SARS is very very unlikely. I don't take any public transport, I have no interest in the thousand-strong crowds that invade Causeway Bay and Happy Valley every day and like many expats I live in an area of Hong Kong that has no reported cases of the disease.
More people die in Hong Kong each year of TB and in Singapore there should be more concern about Dengue Fever. Being fairly cynical and sceptical, I have to question how it is that people want to wear masks in the streets of Hong Kong and then remove them to get within whispering distance of their colleagues at work. The situation hasn't been helped by the utterly inadequate government in place here, nor by the dirty and unhygienic state of Hong Kong anyway. On a positive note, the personal hygiene of many of my colleagues has increased dramatically and I'm less frustrated by people coughing without covering their mouths and then spitting on the pavements.
Matt Anderson, Hong Kong
My mother is a resident of Guangdong and planning to return to the UK in the next 2 weeks. Whilst I have obtained updated information from various websites and the WHO SARS information line, I do not feel confident that the British Government is taking this seriously. The actions of countries such as Canada only strengthens my fears. Should she quarantine herself when she returns? I don't know.
Alisa Buckman, UK
I think that it is absolutely disgraceful that this Government are allowing people to enter this country, either on holiday or more worryingly returning from holiday without having some sort of screening programme initiated by the authorities. For example nurses, doctors and other NHS employees returning from leave (from affected territories) are allowed to carry on caring for people. Are we only going to act on this SARS issue when 100's or even 1000's of people are already dead in this country, by that time it may be too late anyway!
Chris, England
I understand that we need to avoid panic, but surely it is better to pull out all the stops now while it is possible to get a grip on the situation. Rather than risk the political, financial and social repercussions of global panic which is what we would inevitably get should the virus get out of control.
Sue Gaylard, UK
My family and I are British/Canadian citizens living in Toronto. Despite comments posted here, the fact is, the heart has been ripped out of this city by the Sars outbreak. Normally crowded theatres and shopping malls are turning over at around 50% of normal. I live downtown, a part of the city that is normally vibrant in the evenings, now it is like a ghost town. It is not true to say life goes on as normal. People are scared even though there is no rational reason for them to be.
Tony, Toronto, Canada
WHO is doing us all a service by erring on the side of caution |
I live and work in Toronto. Despite the negative comments about the WHO travel advisory for the Toronto region and its potential economic impact, I feel that WHO is doing us all a service by erring on the side of caution and commonsense both for here and South East Asia.
Mannlu, Canada
I teach in a middle school where we have cancelled our annual French Club's Spring trip to Canada. Two hundred students and twenty-five adults will stay home!
Michael Trevlacme, USA
It is with horror that Toronto is watching the rest of the world spiral into abject terror over the Sars outbreak. Anyone booked to come to Toronto for a vacation should rest assured that it is business as usual in this beautiful, bright, friendly city. I go to and from work every day on public transit - I haven't seen anyone wearing a face mask.
Sue P, Toronto, Canada
The panic over SARS appears more dangerous than SARS itself |
At this point the panic over SARS appears more dangerous than SARS itself. Granted, the disease appears to have potential for widespread deaths, but it is difficult to figure whether it is truly out of control. There are no known deaths in the USA so far.
Todd Whitley, USA
The government of HK has announced to refund tax to us as a measure to ease the economic downturn due to SARS. However, I do not want to have my tax refunded. I would rather the government use our money to buy more protective clothes to protect those health workers who take care SARS patients. Up to now, health workers account for one-third of total SARS cases!
Vincent Ho, Hong Kong, P
I was supposed to go to Toronto tonight for a three week visit of the Women's Health program at UHN. I decided to postpone the trip in view of the WHO travel advisory. The airline informed me they have "no provisions" to allow date or route changes for passengers not going to Toronto: I would have to abide by their usual regulations, they know nothing about WHO advisories, and they would only change their guidelines if the airports were closed. I will have to change fares, pay an important amount (about US$400) to be able to use the ticket for a different destination. I find this very abusive and irrational.
Marta B Rondon, Peru
I am an ex-pat working in Shenzhen, China (border to Hong Kong). Like many others in the region, I feel depressed due to the SARS fear. I have a three month old baby and I worry about my wife and baby the most. We are in the middle of the most affected area. Even though we take precautions; wearing masks, washing hands, avoiding crowded places as much as possible, it is unavoidable to interact with people. So, I am sending my wife and baby to Sweden (home) to stay for two or three months. But I can not afford to do it myself as I am working and only take some time off as annual leave. As an adult I do not feel under much threat myself if I take precautions but can not afford to put my baby and my wife in risk.
Seref, (Southern) China
Your contributors who say SARS has provoked an overreaction are missing an important point. It seems that the virus can be very infectious and it is certainly virulent ie it makes people very sick. People with SARS need hospital beds and about 10% of them seem to need Intensive Therapy. This sickness exists as well as, and not instead of, the other illnesses mentioned. Unless the spread of the disease is checked, the consequences for even sophisticated hospital systems like ours could be horrendous.
Nigel Huckstep, Hong Kong
With these types of precautions, an outbreak is highly probable |
A friend of mine flew back from Toronto on Tuesday. The only precautions he saw were a few people wearing masks at the Toronto airport, and a leaflet on a BA desk in Heathrow. It seems like the only people to take this threat seriously are the countries with death tolls over 100. With these types of precautions, an outbreak is highly probable if not definite in all major cities.
Paul McDonough, UK
The WHO's ban on travel to Toronto is not warranted. The virus is under control in Toronto. The city population are not overly concerned about the virus; no more so than any other virus that one is exposed to everyday.
Martin Lavery, Toronto Canada
Amidst all of the blame thrown at the Chinese Government, I think it's important to remember that the Japanese Government were very slow in reporting cases, having chosen not to report unconfirmed cases for so long. And still only two cases and no fatalities, despite the proximity to and number of passengers from China). In a country where people go to the hospital for treating the common cold at the best of times, I am concerned about the possibility of a mutated/antibiotic resistant strain arriving from Japan soon.
Mike, Japan
What worries me is the amount of precaution our medical community is taking to prevent themselves from contracting the disease. In those countries affected, beside the virus infecting many people, the main problem they have is how it paralyses the health care system with medical staff becoming ill and some of them died (which incidentally included the doctor who first discover this disease). In our already stretched NHS can we afford to face the possibility of hospital closure as a result of the infection? I know it is important not to panic yet we should be not complacent. Prevention is better than cure, don't wait till it is too late!
Cherine, UK
I feel very sorry that this has hat to happen but we should stop all air traffic going in or out of Asia and try to contain this thing before it does become global. Air lifts of medical supplies could be organised. I don't feel that the entire planet should be put at risk because of one area!
Delcia Bottomley, England
Where is the concern or even reassurance from the government? |
I am concerned that in one breath we are hearing how it seems to be spreading out of control, in the next breath companies like British Airways are not bothered by it. They should be. Where is the concern or even reassurance from the government? I must say I am concerned, there is no cure and it is spreading.
Tony, London, UK
I am due to go to Beijing on May 11th, and whilst concerned am very worried that my holiday company hasn't cancelled the holiday as yet. If, of course, I cancel due to concerns, I stand to loose a portion of my holiday, along with extras like car parking fees. I'm not happy that the company hasn't reacted quickly enough. I am also under pressure from concerned family, work colleagues etc.
Norma Paynton, England
The fear of infection will start to affect us very soon even if the actual infection doesn't. The government should step up measures, line screening incoming airline passengers, as this might actually reduce peoples concerns. They acted quickly to the terrorist threat by stationing troops at our airports. I can tell you I am a lot more terrorised by the thought of SARS getting hold in the UK. We can't even keep our hospitals clean for crying out loud!
Mark, UK
The whole thing is being blown out of proportion by the media. China is the most densely populated country in the world, yet the percentage of 'probable' cases is insignificant. An outbreak of Measles is more devastating!
Tim, Luxembourg
There is no excuse for complacency |
251 deaths is a small number but remember - most diseases spread exponentially. Within a couple of months the number of deaths will be in the thousands, and by the end of the year could be in the millions. There is no excuse for complacency.
Frank, UK
I agree with many of the other comments listed here that the majority of SARS-related worry stems from media hysteria. Here in Taiwan life continues as normal, with more people wearing face masks against the pollution than because of SARS. Whilst I realise that SARS does pose a very real and indeed terrifying threat, paranoia will go no way in resolving the problem. I think the authorities here in Taiwan have got the balance about right - strict and timely quarantine measures, coupled with broad hygiene and general health awareness campaigns.
Joanna Dunne, Taiwan
I come from a public school in England, where there is about 15% from the Asia region. Our school has decided not to quarantine, but to test for symptoms two times a day; this to me seems stupid. The SARS virus cannot be detected until it is at a late stage, where the person concerned will have already spread the virus to other pupils. I think the UK should be doing more to prevent people from infected areas entering the country; I also think that the advice given to schools should be amended due to the current level of deaths.
Charlie, UK
I live in Toronto, regularly visit friends and relatives in the affected hospitals and one of the doctors in my clinic came down with SARS. I am not concerned at all. Most here who have caught SARS have recovered and the 16 deaths in a city of five million, while unfortunate, should be kept in perspective. The advisory by the WHO is premature and disproportionate. It misrepresents the situation and induces panic among the anxious. Torontonians are barely phased and taking this whole episode in stride.
Lou, Canada
Potentially the UK Government could be helping to spread this virus |
Experts and the Hong Kong Government are warning not to keep people in crowded places to avoid the spread of SARS yet boarding school students who live in Hong Kong and are returning to the UK are being placed in quarantine on the Isle of Wight in a Holiday Camp. If one of these students does contract SARS then it is very likely that four or five more will get it. If its not caught then it could spread further, these students go to schools all over the UK. Potentially the UK Government could be helping to spread this virus.
Barnaby, Hong Kong
These warnings are too little, too late. The UK should have banned all flights from affected areas as soon as the outbreak was reported.
Keith, UK
I find it ridiculous that some people dismiss fears about SARS. They do not seem to realise that infection within the population is rising exponentially. The number of cases is accelerating. If this disease can't be contained when in small numbers, there is no hope when we reach tens of thousands infected. What hope with millions? There is every sign that things are fast approaching "out of control". Do people realise that at current mortality rate this could kill 200,000,000 people worldwide? Figures that could easily rise if hospitals are overwhelmed.
David, UK
I live in Toronto and I must say that while SARS is obviously on my mind, it hasn't affected my daily routine. Most people realize that there are over 6 million people within two hours of the city centre, and only 250 cases, a number that is decreasing. The WHO should not place Toronto in the same category as China and Hong Kong until it leaves Geneva to observe the actual situation first-hand.
Winston M, Canada
Toronto has recognized the problem and done everything in its power to contain it |
I am a Canadian/British citizen living in the UK. I have a flight booked less than a week from today to land in Toronto for my sister's wedding. My initial reaction was one of panic as I heard a saw these headlines, but after listening to Mayor Mel Lastman, I am suspicious of the WHO, and the basis on which they included Toronto as another destination to avoid. I will be taking this flight and taking all the necessary precautions such as wearing a mask and I have considered latex gloves also. Unlike the Asian government, Toronto has recognized the problem and done everything in its power to contain it.
Janice, UK
I am concerned because I know someone that is planning to ignore the WHO warning and take a trip to Toronto. I live in a small town that does not have the medical facilities to deal with an outbreak of something as serious as SARS. It bothers me that people have so little regard for the health and safety of others. We would not allow an animal that might carry an infection into the country without it being quarantined for a short time to determine its health status but, we are not restricting travel by people into and out of infected areas! At what point do we start taking this seriously? Not after it is too late I hope.
Paula Lawrence, USA
One of the problems with SARS is its rapid spread through public transport. Witness the case in Toronto where it has passed from nurses to others commuting on the buses and trains to work. If we imagine the situation in London it is very similar. There is a tendency for people to sit huddled in cramped conditions and breathing each others stale air; surely it would be a good idea to get the windows on buses and trains fixed open to prevent the spread of this disease?
Mark, UK
It is better to be overly concerned before it has begun to spread Stuart Robertson, England |
Though no one should panic, any virus that is infectious, virulent, mutating and at present incurable with no foreseeable common vaccine for all the emerging strains which may develop to become yet more harmful to humans, then of course we should be very concerned. Think how quickly it could spread on a packed London underground train if it mutates to become more infectious and far more virulent. It is better to be overly concerned before it has begun to spread than to face an unforeseeable outcome by not taking appropriate action until too late!
Stuart Robertson, England
Can someone put this death rate in context for me? It seems that a worldwide death toll of 251 is small compared to a world population of several billion. What are the death rates for other infectious diseases? Surely there is more danger of being killed by a dangerous driver than catching SARS, so how come people are not too scared to cross the road? I am not trying to belittle the fear people have just trying to rationalise the danger.
Helen Chesterman, UK
There seems to be a lot of complacency here, with people stating that more people die of flu, cancer etc. Firstly, we may be in the early stages of a possible pandemic. Secondly, the mortality rate has been kept down by good healthcare. I work in the shipping industry and over half of my company's business is in South East Asia, with Singapore a regular destination for me. My company has scaled down personal visits there. Even though it will impact on our business, we trust the WHO's advice.
Alex B, UK
Everyone is affected. In my country, we have devoted a good chunk of our meagre and scarce medical resources to the expectation of our first SARS case. A rumour of SARS could hold Airport activities for hours as happened on 23/04/03, and the economic loss of this action is not news to everyone. I can't imagine the rest of the country in masks for fear of contracting SARS. In fact, we are panicked.
T Adams, Ghana
I have recently finished a 10 day quarantine which work imposed on me after a holiday to China, my partner and step daughter are still out there and are due to travel to Beijing to fly back to UK and with all the recent developments I am so concerned of them catching the virus but also being held and not being allowed to return.
Dean White, UK
The SARS epidemic has made it very likely that a conference I plan to attend in Singapore will be postponed or cancelled. I'm disappointed, but what concerns me more are my friends in Singapore and the difficulties and fears they are experiencing now. That small country depends so much on international trade and communications -- the impact of SARS will be felt there for a long time, even if a cure is found soon.
Donald M. Seekins, Okinawa, Japan
I need to wear a mask all the time, which is extremely exhausting as you cannot breathe properly Yoby Li, Honk Kong, China |
I am a nurse in Hong Kong looking after Sars patients. It has affected me directly because I need to wear an N95 mask all the time, which is extremely exhausting as you cannot breathe properly. All the nurses are really worried, however we have no choice unless we want to get fired.
Yoby Li, Honk Kong, China
I am currently completing a 10 day trip in Toronto and I would be lying if I said the Sars virus was not concerning me. However, there is not yet hysteria, people are carrying on with their normal activities and I have only seen two people wearing masks. So why the panic and the WHO advice not to travel here unless absolutely necessary?
Rebecca Hopkinson, Canada/UK
I live in Toronto and it is a nightmare. Everyday I wake up with the feeling that I am playing Russian roulette with our lives. What if my sons will get it tomorrow at school? Should I keep them indoors? And if I don't, will this be the day I will regret for the rest of my life? About 3 weeks ago my mother had a vicious cold. She has been coughing ever since and tomorrow we are going to the doctors. The trip itself is yet another health risk. I simply cannot imagine what it would mean to go through a barrage of tests in a heavily infested medical environment - and even if it would be OK, I am not reassured.
Anon, Canada
Prospective visitors are now being put off by irresponsible announcements |
The comments from Anon, Canada are completely ridiculous. The vast majority of people living in Toronto do not feel the slightest anxiety about catching Sars. People are still going to bars, theatres and restaurants. If you visited here today you would not notice a difference from any other day. I have now seen a total of one person paranoid enough to wear a mask. What is killing the city is the economic impact arising from the ludicrous perception that there is a health emergency. Prospective visitors are now being put off by irresponsible announcements. Although it is unfortunate for the family, we should bear in mind that the fatality over the weekend was a 99 year old man, and that the overwhelming majority of cases have cleared up.
Tim, Toronto, Canada
I'm currently in Toronto on business and it seems the media have blown this up out of all proportion - more people here die from cancer and traffic accidents each day.
Pierre Lawrence, Canada
I believe the US is not doing a thorough job of preventing Sars from spreading here. My parents just arrived on an international flight. They were not provided any information on Sars. The US authorities have claimed to pass out information sheets on Sars upon arrival of passengers at international terminals. Apparently, not so in this case. This should be a cause for concern for the health authorities.
Chandry, USA
I too have had no advice from my tour operator and they make me feel I am making a fuss when I phone for information. I am due to fly to Beijing end of May, tour quite a few cities/towns, take a couple of internal fights, and a trip down the Yangtze. Who will advise me not to go? The WHO? The FO? The Tour Operator? Until one of those officially decides I will have to go, or lose my money.
Val Austin, UK
It's frustrating that the policies of the hospitals and medical schools are changing so rapidly |
I'm a fourth year medical student and as part of our course we have to complete an elective over the summer. Mine is planned for Toronto but the SARS outbreak has thrown everything in the air. It's frustrating that the policies of the hospitals and medical schools are changing so rapidly but it probably can't be helped.
Daniel Toye, Scotland
My worry isn't the virus - it's the hysteria. I have a scheduled trip to Toronto, one week after the travel advisory is supposed to be lifted. I'm more worried about getting caught in some unnecessary quarantine or being detained because I don't look healthy enough. SARS is nothing compared to what panic can do.
Steven, USA
I am disappointed with the response from both the FCO and the tour operators giving advice to all of us who have holidays of a lifetime booked to the affected areas. We are booked to travel to China and Hong Kong on 10th May and are still being told that we cannot cancel or even alter the dates of our holiday without losing almost all the money - almost �4K between 2 of us. Surely it is in the best interest of the tour operators to put the health of their passengers first, can you imagine the extent of the damage to their reputation if holiday makers had not been allowed to cancel holidays to the region and became infected? I am sure it would be better to lose some revenues on holidays in the short term and protect their reputation as a decent tour operator. Please can the FCO do the decent thing for us all and advise against all travel to the affected regions, not just HK and GuangDong Province.
Sarah, UK
I am due to go a tour of China on 10 May and at a time I should be looking forward to it, am very angry re. the lack of information available on the Internet. My holiday company has a web site and makes no mention of Sars. DOH and WHO sites have pages last updated several days ago. How often does WHO and DOH review travel restrictions?
Alan Aplin, UK
Yet another health scare to rank alongside BSE, Flesh-Eating bugs and the annual "this is the worst year for flu ever" warning. Tomorrow, we'll all get in our cars even though over 3,000 people in Britain will be killed on the roads this year. Get a bit of perspective.
Kelvin Moon, England
My company works extensively in both China and Singapore. We have definitely been affected as the ability of our partners in these countries to get anything done has been hampered. Now, the latest information we have from Beijing is that the authorities are going to impose martial law and are advising people to stay away from all public places, even markets, and to avoid using public transportation. This will impact people in China severely; but on the other hand, some people are beginning to think that maybe this is an important lesson for the PRC government, suggesting that the impulse to cover up unpleasant information may not be so readily heeded in the future.
SCH, Taiwan
We are due to travel to Beijing on 25th April and the Foreign Office is quite happy to let us go |
We are due to travel to Beijing on 25th April and the Foreign Office is quite happy to let us go. The US state department are warning their citizens not to travel. We still do not know the true extent of the situation in China, yet the Foreign Office are sitting on their hands. Chinese leaders have cancelled the May Day holidays and instructed people in China not to travel, but the FO are happy to let UK citizens roam the country.
Peter, UK
As an expatriate who has been living in Hong Kong for many years, it is extremely sad to witness this former colony brought to its knees by Sars. But it is even sadder to observe the clueless behaviour of the Hong Kong Government in dealing with the situation quickly and effectively. Sars is and was the opportunity for Tung Chee Hwa and his so-called cabinet to prove the critics wrong by demonstrating clear leadership and taking firm action to reassure not only local citizens, but the world at large. They have failed. So while Hong Kong's medical workers are to be praised for their dedicated efforts, the Government should hang its head in shame.
Jonathan, Hong Kong
I think Sars is a conspiracy project waiting to happen. How else can one explain? There are millions and millions of viruses and why Sars and why China? Because, rightly guessed, USA & UK and others want to undermine China's growing economic might. Yes! That's right. China is threatening US & UK domination in every field. Sadly, Chinese people have been brainwashed heavily to realise and accept this theory. Before they do, it will be too late as the economy of China is going to be pushed back, close to 10 years. Poor Old China, which could have turned the tide of the recent future. Now we all have to wait again, I would say, at least 30 more years for another country to come close to overpowering the white man's domination.. We need a changed world. We are sick and tired of the same old burgers, pizza, Madonnas and Bushes - we need something new!
Anit-Chess Champion, USA
The record of SARS mortality keeps rising worldwide, while in my country - Taiwan has reported 29 Sars positive but no fatalities. Because WHO lists Taiwan as a province under China, the organization has neglected all the efforts that Taiwan has been doing against Sars and it's weird, it seems no one is interested to find out how they keep "Zero" Sars deaths.
Liz Chang, Taiwan
Had malaria or any other strain of pneumonia been given similar hype, I doubt we'd be subjected to the quiet hysteria surrounding Sars. As soon as people realise that this virus will not miraculously disappear and the chances of infection are miniscule, the sooner life can get back to "maskless" normality. People will then be able to face this newsworthy challenge with the same alacrity required when living in a heavily polluted city or crossing a busy street - infinitely more dangerous.
Mark, Hong Kong
I share similar sentiments of Mark's from HK. If we calmly work out the proportion of world population to the death tolls as a result of Sars infection, then this panic becomes absurd. We must also remember that this virus is going to stay with us humans for a long time to come even after we've found the vaccine or the cure, meanwhile, there will be more people died from TB and other infectious diseases.
Lai Wan Chiu, UK
Sars has already entered the Philippines despite continuous denial and cover-up of our health secretary. It has indeed killed one Filipino here who came from Canada and some 200 others who came into contact with her are suspected Sars carriers. And as one of the millions of Filipinos awaiting what will happen next, it is unthinkable what will happen to our very weak and fragile economy if Sars will spread here.
Dom Francisco, Philippines
We three have already planned to go to China Beijing and are not worried about the Sars. Our goal is fixed and we will complete it. That is going to Beijings Wangjing hospital to learn acupuncture. We have boosted our immune power and we will not be affected by the virus and we are sure about it. Everybody must boost their immune power and fight Sars. There are many herbs available in all the systems of traditional origin like Ayurveda and Chinese herbal medicine. This must be made use of and be tested now. Indian system of pranayama and the sudarshan kriya will also help in building the confidence. Prevention is the best way.
Kiran Phalke, India
I live in Toronto, "ground zero" for SARS in Canada. It is a little frightening to say the least. I go to college were about 1/3 of the students are from the People's Republic of China, so I have been really nervous about being infected. I visited a doctor's office recently, and I wore a surgical mask, it was scary feeling. There are great fears that SARS will cause massive economic problems for the city. Toronto is loosing conventions and tourists, and now a U.S. cruise ship company will not allow Torontonians on their ships. It is like the plague has come to Toronto.
Stephen Fanning, Canada
Some years ago Horizon did a program that showed how the common flu virus was mutated by pigs in China during the winter when duck and pigs were bought into the villages. The pigs took the duck cough virus and mutated it with the human flu virus and then passed it back to the humans. Sars started around February of 2003 at the same time as the normal flu virus is mutated, the Chinese winter, but instead of waiting until the Chinese returned home after the Chinese New Year, it started to spread more quickly.
I have experienced the SARS symptoms since about the third week of February 2003, but it hasn't developed past the sore throat and head aches stage. However, that may also be due to the pollution in Manila and it's now the end of April. Sars may be more difficult to shake off than the normal flu and more difficult to protect oneself against. I would suggest regular Vitamin C supplements rather than wearing a face mask, which does seem a little futile considering the many ways that seems to be transmitted.
Tony Gillingham, Brit living in the Philippines
We should all do everything in our power to prevent becoming infected and spreading this fatal disease before it gets worse |
I am glad to see China cleaning and disinfecting all public places. We know now that Sars is spreading rapidly and heard that health officials are checking all travellers coming from the east. The fact is they should check "all" travellers coming and going worldwide. We should all do everything in our power to prevent becoming infected and spreading this fatal disease before it gets worse. All eyes are on the East. Why should we wait for it to land on our doorstep before becoming concerned? This is all the chance we'll ever get.
Roegshana, South Africa
It is all very well saying "will you heed WHO warnings?" - what if you have no choice. Why doesn't the WHO and the Foreign Office pull its finger out and advise travellers it is not safe to travel to Beijing? If it's not safe enough for Tony Blair to travel there this week for his conference - what about the rest of us? China has cancelled it's week long May Day holiday to stop travellers to the city - what about travellers from the UK? Until the WHO and FO declare it unsafe we are unable to receive refunds on our travel, and many of us cannot afford to just cancel and lose the price of holiday. Come on FO - get your advice updated.
Carolyn, UK
I agree with Carolyn regarding the information coming from the UK government. I am due to travel to Shanghai and the Yangtze on 3rd May and have been trying to obtain information from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. You cannot contact them by telephone and their website was last updated on 2nd April. The Dept of Health website is the same and gives you links to the PHLS website, last updated 4th April and the WHO which isn't giving current travel advice. The internet is there to help people in just this sort of situation - why aren't they updating their sites daily? Like Carolyn, I can't get a refund if I cancel but the travel company won't cancel until the FCO advises against travel.
Christopher, UK
I am studying English in the UK. I am going back to Taiwan this summer, but now there is a Sars virus problem in Hong Kong, I am very worried about it, although it has been controlled in Taiwan. Nevertheless I bought a return ticket last year and I have to change my plane in Hong Kong. So what should I do now? Still go home or not?
Rachel Lee, Taiwan
I am studying in England and I have a lot of Chinese friends who are very worried about this situation and who don't want to go to China. But they are missing their family. All over the world we need a solution because this is a human problem.
Seyma Erdede, Turkey
I've been living in Hanoi throughout the initial stages of the outbreak; the rumours going around as the businessman was treated in the very hospital I had been in a couple of months before; the concern spreading as the hospital was closed off; the disgust at the reaction of the population, refusing to deliver food or supplies to those quarantined within the hospital. The Vietnamese government responded well to the crisis, aided by the WHO, and contained it effectively. Now we hear we are Sars-free, while in China and HK the rate of infection is rocketing. There is concern of reinfection but people are not panicked. Although I have to fly through HK in a couple of days and I will be wearing a face mask.
Hannah, Vietnam
Well, it has affected me in that I cannot stop thinking about the danger(?)I'm putting myself in when I travel to Beijing on 4th May, and on a tour of China, visiting all popular touristy places. The operator I'm travelling with won't cancel the trip. I'm not too concerned about getting it, as about relaxing and enjoying my tour. Is it at all possible? I have already got a slight cold, with a cough etc. Does this make me more vulnerable? Should I cancel and lose a lot of money?
Yolanta, France
As a British expat living in Hong Kong I can see a great benefit arising after this Sars outbreak is under control. For once I have seen signs up asking people not to spit on the floor, one of these inside a hospital. I was equally please to see the butcher in my local Welcome supermarket admonish a customer for fingering the meat hanging up at the counter. The Sars scare is just what the doctor ordered!
Les, Hong Kong
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