Is SARS threat overblown...what do you think?

Electrode

Diamond Member
May 4, 2001
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It all sounds too much like the hype over the West Nile virus last year. Everyone was talking about it like it was the end of the world, but so far this year I haven't heard a word about it.

My prediction: by Fall it will be forgotten.
 

im gonna say yes...that being said, I hope they are working hard to isolate and treat the infection.
 

Juniper

Platinum Member
Nov 7, 2001
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The threat is real. The thing is, it depends on where you are. If you are in Canada or Asia, you will definitely feel the threat.
 

Jonny

Golden Member
Oct 26, 1999
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I'm in Toronto everyday, and I definitely do not feel threatened at all. If you asked me, I would say it has been overblown a lot. I understand that it's important to be careful, but Toronto is being hurt because of SARs right now, and I don't think it justified.
 

Actaeon

Diamond Member
Dec 28, 2000
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I was at one time nervous about SARS, and I believe I have good reason to be, but I do think its overblown.

Too infectous I suppose...
 

4Lclovergirl

Senior member
Mar 25, 2003
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I do and I don't. Right now, I think it kills alot less people then other diseases, even the flu. However, the problem is going to be if they can't find a cure for it, and it spreads all over the world. Not to mention it appears to have a highre rate of mutation then other diseases. But OTOH, it appears they are putting alot in the research for it, already have it's "DNA" mapped out, and I feel that a solution to the probelm will be fast in coming. I don't think it would have spread as far as it has if the chinese hadn't been reluctant to admit it was there. And finally, right now it appears not to kill other then people very suseptible to things such as young, old, and already ill, much like the flu. If it mutates and starts killing a larger percentage of those it infects, i t coul dbe a very big deal.
 

Medellon

Senior member
Feb 13, 2000
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I'm in agreement with the threat being overblown. Scientists are doing a great job though in trying to find ways to prevent infection and a vaccine. West Nile killed more than 200 in the U.S. last year and I don't remember nearly this much fear. As long as people keep screwing animals, we will have to deal with these new types of viruses.
 

AndyHui

Administrator Emeritus<br>Elite Member<br>AT FAQ M
Oct 9, 1999
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If you are living right in the middle of it (like I am), you can never be too careful.

Current statistics as of 1pm this afternoon in Hong Kong:

1557 infected in total.

710 recovered (of the 1557 infected).

138 dead.

25 suspected cases.
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
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I think it's a bit too much personally... just be careful, be clean.. you'll be OK.. unless of course you are in China... I'd be a little more afraid if I lived there.
 

flxnimprtmscl

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2003
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Originally posted by: 4Lclovergirl
it appears to have a highre rate of mutation then other diseases.

That was the info that changed it in my mind. I thought it was incredibly overblown until I learned how quickly it mutates. Now I feel it's a genuine cause for concern. In theory this you could get a new strain of this several times until one finally gets you. When you look at the fact that this thing spreads like the flu, has a higher mortality rate, and changes quicker than we can keep up with it I don't think you can help but be a little worried.
 

Looney

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
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I don't think the threat is overblown... THREAT is the keyword here. There is a very real possibility that this can spread like the flu and we can have a repeat of the Spanish Flu, with tens of millions of dead each year. I also think one of the reason why it's not as serious as it could be is because summer is approaching... but medical experts are afraid that this could be seasonal, and come next winter, this will spread like the flu.

But i do think the current scare is overblown... especially with the WHO and listing Toronto on the advisory list. Fact is, in over 2 weeks, there hasn't been a single new case in the community in Toronto. Any new cases have been within the medical community, and they quarantine themselves quickly enough so that the general population aren't affected by it.
 

RealWarlock

Member
Mar 23, 2003
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It is all a reactionary media hype.

Scientists can't tell the difference between a SARS or a flu.

Anyway, more people are dying from AIDS than SARS right now.

 

Looney

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
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Originally posted by: RealWarlock
It is all a reactionary media hype.

The medical community like the CDC and WHO were concerned with SARS long before the media was hyping it.

Scientists can't tell the difference between a SARS or a flu.

That's the scary part... it spreads just as easily as the flu and cold, but with 100x the death rate... and has absolutely no cure or vaccine for it yet. How many in the US die from the flu each year? 40,000. Now add in the 100x death rate of SARS, and take into account that 30% of the population get vaccinated for the flu each year, and you can see why the medical community are afraid of it.

 

rudder

Lifer
Nov 9, 2000
19,441
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In addition to what moralpanic said, the fact that the virus can live outside the body for much longer periods than say an AIDS virus which dies when exposed. I think caution is in order since there is no treatment at this time.
 

pulse8

Lifer
May 3, 2000
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I think it's better safe than sorry.

If they didn't make such a big deal about it and it spread even more, then people would be outraged that the government didn't take the appropriate steps to protect people.

People are never satisfied.
 

dmcowen674

No Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
54,889
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www.alienbabeltech.com
Originally posted by: pulse8
I think it's better safe than sorry.

If they didn't make such a big deal about it and it spread even more, then people would be outraged that the government didn't take the appropriate steps to protect people.

People are never satisfied.

Exactly,

Thanks to rapid spread of Information (and along with it some misinformation) we have an opportunity in history not seen before when faced with a new biological agent. Previously in history such as Spanish Flue and Bubonic Plague the infections spread before the information could get out.

 

Medellon

Senior member
Feb 13, 2000
812
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The mortality rate for SARS is less than the flu. The mortality rate for SARS is about 5.9% with most poeple dying who are old, very young, or already ill. Until recently, no one had dies from SARS who was less than 40. But it just goes to show that there are viruses out there that we have yet to encounter that we may have absoultely no immunity towards.
 

Banana

Diamond Member
Jun 3, 2001
3,132
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Ask yourself this: All other factors being equal, would you travel to a SARS infected area, such as Hong Kong, at this time?
 

GTaudiophile

Lifer
Oct 24, 2000
29,767
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Yes, the media will do anything to turn the attention away from the war on terrorism/Iraq even though Americans are still dying overseas. The media knows that the war on terrorism produces good news for Bush. As more links to Al Quadia and WMDs are found, Bush is proven right, and the less the media will report. The fewer links and WMDs found and if the new government in Iraq fails, the media will once again increase their coverage of the region.
 

pulse8

Lifer
May 3, 2000
20,860
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Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Yes, the media will do anything to turn the attention away from the war on terrorism/Iraq even though Americans are still dying overseas. The media knows that the war on terrorism produces good news for Bush. As more links to Al Quadia and WMDs are found, Bush is proven right, and the less the media will report. The fewer links and WMDs found and if the new government in Iraq fails, the media will once again increase their coverage of the region.

Are you serious? Do you really think there is a mass media conspiracy against Bush?
 

Banana

Diamond Member
Jun 3, 2001
3,132
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Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Yes, the media will do anything to turn the attention away from the war on terrorism/Iraq even though Americans are still dying overseas. The media knows that the war on terrorism produces good news for Bush. As more links to Al Quadia and WMDs are found, Bush is proven right, and the less the media will report. The fewer links and WMDs found and if the new government in Iraq fails, the media will once again increase their coverage of the region.
You forgot to mention that SARS is a plot to detract from the glorious conquest of Iraq?
rolleye.gif

 

GTaudiophile

Lifer
Oct 24, 2000
29,767
33
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Originally posted by: pulse8
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Yes, the media will do anything to turn the attention away from the war on terrorism/Iraq even though Americans are still dying overseas. The media knows that the war on terrorism produces good news for Bush. As more links to Al Quadia and WMDs are found, Bush is proven right, and the less the media will report. The fewer links and WMDs found and if the new government in Iraq fails, the media will once again increase their coverage of the region.

Are you serious? Do you really think there is a mass media conspiracy against Bush?

Are you serious to think there isn't one? The leftists that make up 90% of the media hate the man.
 

Looney

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
21,938
5
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Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Yes, the media will do anything to turn the attention away from the war on terrorism/Iraq even though Americans are still dying overseas. The media knows that the war on terrorism produces good news for Bush. As more links to Al Quadia and WMDs are found, Bush is proven right, and the less the media will report. The fewer links and WMDs found and if the new government in Iraq fails, the media will once again increase their coverage of the region.

Americans are still dying overseas? How many and how?

I think you need to lay off the drugs... or get on some.