Canadian officials have lashed out at the World Health Organization WHO: Identify possible SARS victims!
CANADA: Oh no we couldn't do that. It would be discriminatory.
WHO: Quarantine contaminated patients.
CANADA: Oh no, that would be oppressive.
WHO: Require preventative measures in your Hospitals.
CANADA: That would cost too much money.
WHO: Publish public advisories.
CANADA: No! That might endanger tourism and commerce.
WHO: SARS seems to be more aggressive in Toronto than any other place in North America and Canada doesn't seemt to be doing anything about that.
CANADA: HEY! NOW THAT'S UNCALLED FOR!
Actually, Canada is being as tough as it can be on SARS. Last week, my mom, who has MS, had a bad fall and was hospitalized. Right now, all hospitals in Canada are under quarantine. I wanted to go up to visit, but was told that absolutely no visitors are allowed in any hospital in Ontario. My mom is in Windsor (about 200 miles from Toronto and without any SARS cases) and no friends or family can visit. They are paranoid about health care workers getting SARS. The two people in Toronto that have SARS and violated quaratine were a doctor and a nurse. Both were extremely upset that they could not work or leave home, so they did anyway. THe nurse took the crowded subway and the nurse's union is supporting her. THe doctor is now under home quaratine with 24/7 police cover. Canada has quarantine laws from the 18th century and has invoked them - it gives considerable power to health officials.
Canada and Toronto are having a very negastive reaction to the WHO travle advisary. It seems Canada has been such a low profile, non-contoversial nation that when the finger is pointed at them, they can't handle it.