SARS Here to Stay, Health Experts Say

Reuters ^ | April 9, 2003 | Maggie Fox

[GhostofWCooper]

Agressively expanding bureaucracy is about all we can expect, if history teaches us anything.

This is why we need to be cool and objective in our analysis of just what should be done. If I were in charge (LOL!) I'd call a meeting of the leading virus experts and pick their brains.. But I'd also need to see some evidence that this is a single, identifiable virus and not just a bunch of creative case grouping (hype) created by operatives (cooking the books) trying to further terrorize the (ignorant and credulous) populace. Remember the shark attack threat from a year ago? The media had a field day with that one.

Now, I must go. Good luck with those nurses. ;^)

[Eric Cassano]

Your panic is palpable, and not productive. Panic never is.

However sometimes gut instinct is productive. For example....

"The first plane hit the tower and we all ran to the windows. People started to pack and get things together to get out of there when a voice came on the loudspeaker and said we're okay, it's just a terrible accident next door. Please do not panic. Go back to your desks and stay in your office. Many of the people did that." link

I wonder when we'll hear this from the CDC: "It's OK folks. This country is fine. It's just a terrible outbreak affecting the other countries."

[InShanghai]

...gut instinct is productive

And your gut instinct is to panic? Where will you run to if it is already widespread and not able to be contained?

Someone else posted a list of what we can do to help, and I have to repeat it:

Things you can do about SARS

• Call the CDC in Atlanta and demand they do something. Nobody has done that yet, so you'll be the first.
• Walk in little circles in your yard muttering, "It's coming, it's coming!" The tighter the circles, the better.
• Write as many TV networks and newspapers as you can and demand MORE SARS STORIES. People will stop doing stupid things that spread the disease (like going to China or places where the disease is) if there are enough SARS stories. Remember, even birds stopped migrating because of all the news stories during the West Nile panic.
• Start wearing surgical masks now, everywhere. Even when you sleep. It's never too early.
• Watch TV and stay on the Internet 24/7 to make sure you see all SARS stories and don't miss any. This is important, and really helps.
• Go ahead and start thinking you've caught SARS. That way SARS might think you've already had it.
• Practice one-way breathing -- exhaling only. The more you eliminate inhaling, the better your chances are to avoid SARS. Also start learning to breathe through your ears. Learn to listen through your nose.
• Worry real hard, and a lot. That always works.
• Freep it but good.

[Eric Cassano]

And your gut instinct is to panic?

No, the example I presented was intended to make a simple point. Sometimes we need to think for ourselves. And my gut instinct tells me to err on the side of caution when it comes to the SARS situation. I won't be making unnecessary trips to the bigger cities. I will be avoiding large groups of people if possible. I will be extra careful about washing my hands and not rubbing my eyes and so on. I may even decide to wear one of the several N95 masks that I purchased in one of my "fits of panic." (heh heh)

Unfortunately, in this day-and-age, anyone who errs on the side of caution is usually accused of panicking by the media. The word "panic" apparently has been redefined to mean any behavior that doesn't involve walking through a shopping mall in a glossy-eyed stupor. Wearing a CDC-approved, N95 mask during an outbreak of a respiratory disease doesn't qualify as panic in my opinion.

I'm very pleased to see all these SARS stories posted on Free Republic. I'm glad to know that others are concerned enough to inform people of this important health issue. I also enjoy reading the posts from people who don't think SARS is a very big deal. It keeps it interesting. This story is definitely worth discussing. Thanks for the reply.

[InShanghai]

I'm very pleased to see all these SARS stories posted on Free Republic. I'm glad to know that others are concerned enough to inform people of this important health issue. I also enjoy reading the posts from people who don't think SARS is a very big deal. It keeps it interesting. This story is definitely worth discussing.

I agree with you. This is the best place to get news and information in my book. -Support FR!!!

[CathyRyan]

http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/business/5600303.htm

Purell awash in sales
Illnesses, fears increase demand
By Mary Ethridge
Beacon Journal business writer

The threat of severe acute respiratory syndrome, along with fears of terrorism and the war in Iraq, has caused sales to surge at GOJO, the Akron-based company that makes hand sanitizing liquid for medical and consumer use.

There's no evidence GOJO's Purell kills the SARS virus, but there's no evidence it doesn't. There's just not enough of the virus in existence now to allow for widespread testing.

Nevertheless, worldwide fears of SARS and other new viruses such as the Norwalk and West Nile viruses, led the Centers for Disease Control to issue a plea for more hand washing by health care workers in particular and everyone in general.

Doctors may have to wash their hands 30 to 40 times a day with soap and water to stay safely germ free.

Health care workers use hand sanitizers, such as Purell, when using soap and water isn't feasible or desirable.

Sales of Purell Instant Hand Sanitizers have increased ``significantly'' across the world, said Sandor Katz, spokesman for GOJO. But sales have been particularly strong in Asia, Canada and the United States -- areas where SARS has been reported.

There have have been 100 cases in the United States, including six in Ohio.

As a private company, GOJO is not required to release financial figures and declined to do so for this story.

However, production at the company's main plant in Cuyahoga Falls is at full steam, said Katz, spokesman for GOJO.

``Our people know this is a critical time for everyone. This is a frightening time for many people, so if we can provide reassurance (of safety), we're glad. That's our message,'' said Katz.

Sales for Purell began to lift in late 2001 as Americans were warned about germ warfare and terrorism in the wake of the attacks on Sept. 11 and subsequent anthrax scares.

Business continued to grow last year along with concerns about the West Nile Virus and war with Iraq, Katz said.

The product was given a boost when Americans were advised by experts that hand sanitizers should be on every shopping list when equipping a family to survive a high terrorism alert or attack.

When America declared war in March, sales got another boost.

GOJO, which began selling Purell in the consumer retail market in 1996, has had contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense for years. For the past several years, it has donated 1 oz. bottles of Purell to deploying troops through the American Red Cross, according to Summit County Chapter Spokesman Jackie Zavodney.

Purell, which does not require soap or water, is said to kill 99.9 percent of the germs that make people sick.

One of GOJO's biggest competitors is Steris Inc. of Mentor, which specializes in high-tech sterilization equipment.

Steris spokesman Kevin Marsh said most companies order months in advance. Growth is gradual in times like these, he said.

The defense department orders equipment such as surgical boards and tables from Steris far ahead of time.

Steris does have an alcohol-based hand sanitizer called Cal-Stat, but it is mainly marketed to health care workers and not the general public.

``We certainly stand ready if our government and people need us'' said Marsh. ``Sterilization and decontamination is at the heart of our business.''