[HamiltonJay]

A few thousand cases of disease in a nation of over a BILLION is hardly a nation being ravaged. Don't confuse Media hysteria with reality.

[FreepForever]

All these are happening in Hong Kong now:

70% of the population wear a face mask. Some with disposable gloves too.

Lifts buttons are covered with a plastic sheet which is changed every 2 to 3 hours. All public places are fumigated daily. some twice.

An entire housing complex is cordoned off with all residents sent into quarantine.

Strictly no family visiting of all patients (including non-SARS patients) in hospitals. No last rite allowed. Patient cannot see their family before they die.

No make-up allowed for patients died of SARS. Coffin must be sealed. Can’t even say last goodbye.

All schools suspended (3 weeks). Some even indefinitely in infected areas. All students must pass temperature check and step on disinfectant soaked carpet before entering school. Hand wash every hour. Strict all day face mask rule. Heavy dose Vitamin C for every student. No school lunch in canteen. Teacher supervised lunch in classroom only (strictly no talking). No physical contact with other student.

Temperature check at airport. One passenger found sick, entire plane is quarantined.

All shops, banks, offices, restaurants, schools will be closed immediately for disinfection if one case is found among the staff. Entire team of staff will be sent into quarantine.

Cinemas and restaurants are closing down. Airplanes are grounded. Hotel are empty. It is now causing an “economic meltdown” in a once prosperous city.

The catastrophy happening in Hong Kong can happen to Beijing as well. Is this mere media hysteria?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

What if they held the Olympic Games and nobody came to play ?

[Illbay]

I think the concern with SARS isn't where it is now, but where epidemiological science tells us it's headed.