[per loin]

Has the Shanghai rumor mill fired up yet?

[InShanghai]

Nothing we don't already know about. The overall attitude here is pretty relaxed. Expatriates seem to worry more about SARS than the locals.

There is an increase in people buying Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicines. The theory is that, if you take it while you're well, it will help one from getting SARS if exposed to it. Of course there is no scientific support to it, and don't ask me what they put in it. The increase could also be because this time of year is the cold/flu season anyways.

At present, the Shanghai government is only reporting
one confirmed case of SARS. Recent press reports note
that two foreigners in Mainland China, a Finnish
citizen in Beijing and an American citizen in
Shenzhen, have died due to SARS.