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I understand how that would make sense if there was not an incubation period but if as some say, it can be 40 days long, I don't see how basic infection control guidelines could help prevent an outbreak.

You wear the PROPER protective gear outlined by Infection Control Protocol however long it is. If you work in a TB unit, you are never without your gear. If you work in the ER, the same. In the ER all patients must be PROPERLY SCREENED and triaged (catagorized) before entering an area where others are. The Triage Nurse has her/his proper protective gear on. This is standard procedure.

In the ER all patients must be PROPERLY SCREENED and triaged (catagorized) before entering an area where others are. The Triage Nurse has her/his proper protective gear on. This is standard procedure.

Maybe in textbooks but not in practice. Unfortunately, I have had to take a relative to the emergency room several times since SARS hit the scene and there was NO ONE in "proper protective gear" anywhere to be seen.

Intake clerks, various medical personnel AND the "Triage Nurse"..., all without even a simple mask!

Obviously, since only one suspected local SARS case has even been noted in the area (Central Florida), the precautions seem to be considered unnecessary.

I suspect that very few emergency rooms around the USA are observing the protocols you describe and will only do so AFTER experiencing a major SARS outbreak!

I am certain that it has been determined not to be "cost effective" to do so (for now)!

You wear the PROPER protective gear outlined by Infection Control Protocol however long it is.

That's fine for exposure within hospitals but doesn't address exposure in the general populace. If it's airborne it will spread despite efforts in the hospital. Is that incorrect?