To: All Canadians -- Are you worried about SARS?

[Guest Downhome]

I just heard that they have officially placed a "Warning" about anyone coming to Toronto for any reason at all, because SARS has spread there so rapidly, with (I believe) twelve deaths being casued by the disease. I was just currious what you guys who live in Canada think about this, that's all. Are a lot of people talking about SARS up there in the north, or is it business as usual for the most part?

 

I don't think anyone has died of SARS in the US yet, but we have a few reported to be infected.

 

Sincerely,

...Downhome...

[Guest HungryJack]

No. People who worry about SARS are paranoid fuckos.

 

 

Stop whining.

[Guest Downhome]

No. People who worry about SARS are paranoid fuckos.

 

 

Stop whining.

WTF? I'm not whining, I just want to know if anyone actually is allowing this to affect their mind set.

[Guest Marshall]

Do Canandans have to wear those masks yet?

 

I have to say I was a little worried watching the news today. It does seem like its gonna get worse before it gets better.

[Guest bob_barron]

I just heard that they have officially placed a "Warning" about anyone coming to Toronto for any reason at all, because SARS has spread there so rapidly, with (I believe) twelve deaths being casued by the disease. I was just currious what you guys who live in Canada think about this, that's all. Are a lot of people talking about SARS up there in the north, or is it business as usual for the most part?

 

I don't think anyone has died of SARS in the US yet, but we have a few reported to be infected.

 

Sincerely,

...Downhome...

I live right in downtown Toronto and no one here gives a crap about SARS.

 

The media has blown it all out of proportion as usual. Putting TO on that list is complete bullshit and it shows how ignorant some people can be.

[Guest CanadianChris]

I just heard that they have officially placed a "Warning" about anyone coming to Toronto for any reason at all, because SARS has spread there so rapidly, with (I believe) twelve deaths being casued by the disease. I was just currious what you guys who live in Canada think about this, that's all. Are a lot of people talking about SARS up there in the north, or is it business as usual for the most part?

 

I don't think anyone has died of SARS in the US yet, but we have a few reported to be infected.

 

Sincerely,

...Downhome...

I live right in downtown Toronto and no one here gives a crap about SARS.

 

The media has blown it all out of proportion as usual. Putting TO on that list is complete bullshit and it shows how ignorant some people can be.

Yeah, well...no one gave a fuck about AIDS at first either.

 

I'd rather people be overcautious about something like this than not care. I'm not someone who enjoys messing around with life and death. That said, I don't think you need to avoid Toronto entirely...just educate yourself and be careful.

[Guest Choken One]

What is SARS? Exactly...They keep saying it but what iz it?

[Guest Eagan469]

What Is SARS?

 

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a respiratory illness that has been reported in Asia, North America and Europe. It is an atypical pneumonia of unknown aetiology, and was recognized at the end of February 2003

 

Symptoms

 

• Fever greater than 100.4°F.

• Headache

• Overall feeling of discomfort

• Body aches

• Some people experience mild respiratory symptoms.

• After 2 to 7 days, SARS patients may develop dry cough and have trouble breathing.

 

How SARS Spreads

 

SARS appears to be primarily spread by close person-to-person contact. Most cases have involved people who cared for or lived with someone with SARS, or who had direct contact with infectious material (such as respiratory secretions) from an infected person.

 

Potential ways in which SARS can be spread include touching the skin of contaminated people or objects and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. This can happen when a SARS-infected person coughs or sneezes droplets on themselves, other people or nearby surfaces.

 

It also is possible that SARS can be spread more broadly through the air or by other ways that are currently unknown.

 

Who Is at Risk

 

Cases continue to be reported among people who have had direct close contact with an infected person. In the United States, there is no indication of community spread at this time. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is monitoring the situation closely.

 

Possible Cause

 

Scientists have detected a previously unrecognized coronavirus in SARS patients. The new coronavirus is the leading hypothesis for the cause of SARS, though other viruses are still being investigated as possible causes.

 

Recommendations

 

The CDC has issued guidelines for people who may be affected by this outbreak.

 

• The CDC advises that people planning to visit mainland China and Hong Kong, Singapore and Hanoi, Vietnam, may want to consider postponing their trips until further notice.

• The CDC has also has issued a "travel alert" for Toronto, Canada. It recommends that visitors to Toronto observe precautions.

• People exhibiting SARS symptoms of SARS should consult a health-care provider. Patients should tell their health-care provider about any recent travel to places where SARS has been reported or about any contact with someone who had these symptoms.

• For family members caring for someone with SARS, the CDC has developed interim infection control recommendations. These precautions should be followed for 10 days after the respiratory symptoms and fever are gone. During that period, SARS patients should limit any interactions outside the home.

[Guest Kahran Ramsus]

Yeah, well...no one gave a fuck about AIDS at first either.

 

I still don't.

[Guest Ram]

I heard Montreal had a huge ass breakout of this.

 

But it only kills those who are fucked up anyway, so...

[Guest AM The Kid]

Do Canandans have to wear those masks yet?

 

I have to say I was a little worried watching the news today. It does seem like its gonna get worse before it gets better.

Actually I'm wearing one of those masks here in Calgary. Look at a map dumbass! Toronto should always be avoided anyways, seriously...evil city.

[Guest RepoMan]

Toronto is only 3 hours away from my home town and I've seen Outbreak too many times so I'm freaking out.

[Guest The Metal Maniac]

I could care less, but then again, I live on the East Coast, so whatever.

 

That, and I think it's being blown WAY out of proportion. People talk about it like it's the deadliest killer since the bubonic plague, but it's killed what? A dozen people?

 

And if I recall correctly, weren't most of those dozen old or sick to begin with?

 

It reminds me of that episode of the Simpsons, with Springfield Action News or whatever, with Kent Brockman:

 

"Now let's check the DEATH COUNT, on the KILLER SNOWSTORM!!!"

"Well Kent, right now the count is at zero, but it is looking to shoot up at any moment."

"Oh my God! DAMN YOU SNOW~!!!!"

 

Mountains from molehills, and all that.

[Guest LaParkaMarka]

There's a fair amount of cases out here in Vancouver, but most people aren't letting it affect their lives. I saw an old asian couple wearing masks on the Skytrain, but thats it.

 

I'd start worrying about it if more people died maybe. Strange how that works.

[Guest Anglesault]

Yeah, well...no one gave a fuck about AIDS at first either.

 

I still don't.

Ditto

[Guest Anglesault]

Do Canandans have to wear those masks yet?

 

I have to say I was a little worried watching the news today. It does seem like its gonna get worse before it gets better.

Actually I'm wearing one of those masks here in Calgary. Look at a map dumbass! Toronto should always be avoided anyways, seriously...evil city.

I have no idea where Alberta is. Is it towards the west?

 

 

And does being Agnes Jr. make you Anglesault III?

[Guest bob_barron]

Alberta is towards the west AS.

 

No one in TO is letting affect their lives- The WHO sucks ass

[Guest Lord of The Curry]

WHAT?! THE WHO DO NOT SUCK ASS! BABA O'REILY WAS A GREAT SONG! DAMN YOU BARRON!

 

*Realizes what bob was really saying*

 

Oooooops.

 

Seriously though folks, I live 45 minutes outside of Toronto and nobody around here gives two shits about SARS. Ditto for friends and family I know that live around the T-dot area.

[Guest treble charged]

I was kind of hoping that SARS would cancel my exams, or something, with my school being less than 2 hours from Toronto, but sadly it was not to be. That being said, I'm not worried, especially now that I'm at home and even further from Toronto where most of this is happening, and I really haven't run into many people who are scared, either.

[Guest BifEverchad]

There's no reported cases of SARS here in Newfoundland.

 

Oh, and let me get to the punchline before someone else does...

 

Yeah, we're always the last to get stuff anyways.

[Guest bob_barron]

I was kind of hoping that SARS would cancel my exams, or something, with my school being less than 2 hours from Toronto, but sadly it was not to be. That being said, I'm not worried, especially now that I'm at home and even further from Toronto where most of this is happening, and I really haven't run into many people who are scared, either.

Damn Ryerson- why can't they cancel my exams? My life is at risk!

[Guest The Metal Maniac]

WAIT WAIT WAIT....BIFEVERCHAD IS A NEWF?

 

Neat.

 

How the fuck did you manage to get internet access on that rock, anyway?

[Guest AM The Kid]

Do Canandans have to wear those masks yet?

 

I have to say I was a little worried watching the news today. It does seem like its gonna get worse before it gets better.

Actually I'm wearing one of those masks here in Calgary. Look at a map dumbass! Toronto should always be avoided anyways, seriously...evil city.

I have no idea where Alberta is. Is it towards the west?

 

 

And does being Agnes Jr. make you Anglesault III?

*gasp* I'm Anglesault III!!! ROCK ON!

[Guest redbaron51]

I live about 2 hours away from Toronto, but I'm not worried about it coming down here, but I am worried about my Aunt who works at Scarborough General Hospital which is one of the places where SARS patients go...

[Guest Downhome]

Here is some information...

 

More than 250 probable or suspected cases have been reported in the Toronto area, with 18 deaths so far and about half the cases making a full recovery. The disease has killed 110 people in mainland China and 109 in Hong Kong.

 

...and there have also been a few women, I believe this specific thing is in Hong Kong, who have had childrent while they were infected with SARS, and their newborn children may be infected also.

[Guest Choken One]

Hey...I am all for the Mass Exodus of the Canuck Race...We're better off without them...

[Guest The Metal Maniac]

Um, I think you mean death, or something like that...I honestly can't think of the exact word to plug in there.

 

Exodus would mean that we all just left.

 

And if we left Canada, we'd have to go somewhere, like the States.

 

No one wants that.

 

So let's just not have an exodus, and everyone is happy.

[Guest SP-1]

yeah. Let's not have 'em infest our golden fields.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I jest, I jest.

[Guest redbaron51]

No. People who worry about SARS are paranoid fuckos.

 

 

Stop whining.

I could retort that statement against the American people about being paranoid...

 

 

but...

 

 

I don't need to instigate another flame war.

[Guest The Metal Maniac]

But isn't Hungry Jack Canadian himself?

 

I could be wrong on that, but I know it was someone Canadian who accused me of being a damned drunk fisherman in some WDI chat way back in the day, and I do believe it was him....