| Imported post
<font color='#000080'>One might acuse Dave Covey of not exactly having an unbiased view but I agree there is not need to panic. SARS in not yet proving to be a pandemic but it has caused widespread panic in China, Hong Kong and Toronto and I, for one would not voluntarily travel there.
In a press release, the BMA's Head of Science and Ethics, Dr Vivienne Nathanson said on 24/4/03:
"It is extremely important that the public does not panic over SARS. The Department of Health, Health Protection Agency and the World Health Organisation (WHO) are taking all appropriate steps to tackle SARS.
We all have a role to play in reducing the chances of further spread of SARS. If someone has returned from one of the infected areas and has flu-like symptoms it is vital that they go to their GP as soon as possible.
We urge people to stick to WHO advice and not travel to China, Hong Kong or Toronto. These are sensible measures to follow but obviously if travel to these countries is absolutely essential it is up to the individual to weigh up the risks.
There is no reason to close the UK's borders. This is not practical as it would have to extend to all countries which have had cases, including the USA. Such a move would also stop all commerce, imports and exports like food and this would be a gross over-reaction to the threat."
I like the way they dump everything on us GPs! (Perhaps they are trying to get rid of us. Goodness knows what I would do apart from giving the usual 'flu advice while I cross my fingers!).
There is no cure for such viruses and they are highly contageous and are spread by droplet infection and by travel, so it is far too early to say, with any certainty, that this is not going to be like the 1919 'flu pandemic, which killed more people than WW1.  |