Malaysia has just announced a rule that people coming from SARS countries have to be quaratined for 10 days, this means foreign students need to be quarantined by their college and workers by their factories. The local Health Ministry claims that the spread of disease has been checked because hospitals are well equipped to handle outbreaks as there was one even deadlier in 1998 ie. the JE from swine. Also the ban on visas on people from affected countries. is this any help?
I agree with ur point, Cheung. However, what I was trying to say is, "try to cut down activities, especially big events / gathering, at this particular moments". Necessary living activities have to continue, but relatively un-necessary ones (social party, concernt, sports event) should be limited to a certain level. I know it's sad, but compare to someone losing life, well, still worth it, right? Personally, I think each countries screening its ports and screening at the world champ is closely related with each other. If the athletes, staff, fans won't go throught their ports to travel to UK, how they going to participate??? I was trying to say, the UK might done a good job in screening, but potential carriers might spread virus even before get to UK. This way, they not just put UK ppl's lives in danger, but all the passengers on board, etc. Since when we talk about a event, the traveling in event (local and international) should be counted. Sure, the chance is not really big, but as I and many others metioned several times, we just need ONE carrier, to put everyone's (or, at least a lot of others, with early detection) life in danger. Plus, the event is just postponed for several months (2, 3???), not like 10 yrs, and out of reach something. Just some personal point of view.
In US, many companies (including mine) cut down the business trips to Asia. Unless it's very necessary, no one really want to or should really take the risk. Yeah, still flights around these days. But that does not mean there's no danger. Emergency and important issues still have to be taken care of, but I am sure regular social and tour trips been greatly cut down already. Here's my example. There are certain areas in NYC are considered as dangerous places. With gangsters, drug dealers around, and crime rate relatively higher than average, city government warn ppl don't travel through there alone at night. However, we still see ppl walking on street, taxi still running, bus still running, subway still in services, ppl still visiting their friends/family there. However, all the facts can't prove that several places are safe. We all know what we should do - only go there when it's necessary, but if we have other options, do NOT go!!! Of course, compare to SARS, my example seems like nothing. But I think they are under the same theory - a lot of things on surface and a fairly small %%% might not really reflect how dangerous it could be...
This is the point; the argument put forward for delay of WC have far reaching consequences. There is always potential for the next disease to pop up or another flare-up of SARS (though hopefully better containment). That is definately a possible scenario. So what happens? Ans: all major sports events should be cancelled indefinately because it only takes one person (other BFer's arguments, not mine)....... There's no such thing as NO risk...you could get meningitis from a person sitting next to you, BSE from eating your hamburger etc. I get the impression that BFer's are demanding no risk and definitive tests - both of which do not exist. Just to show I am being quite fair, I do understand people's concerns. But if people start asking for the impossible - well, nothing would get acheived. Nice point about the crime. But shows, cinema still go on. These can be classed as non-necessities. So why do people still go despite the risk of crime? Reason, certain activities have a lower risk. That is exactly what I proposed...lower the risk with the screening and temperature checks. That's a funny statement by M'sia coming when most places have the disease checked or coming under control!! Hate to be cynical but that seems a bit like a publicity stunt. Imagine if they did this two weeks ago and the consequences to S'pore. Well, the worst thing is I won't be able to go out and play badminton in M'sia ..I can in s'pore though..hmmmmm
I never say about we should resume all events when there's NO risk. I know that's impossible. Not only about SARS, everything bad could never be limited to zero. I think our argument is really a matter of "how serious u think the danger is". Clearly, many ppl think it's very serious, and others think "well, still fine with certain procedures". However, I believe as long as fairly amount of ppl think something is really dangerous, we should limited big gathering/events to a certain level. Forcing through, and taking chances will just put lives in danger, and the event itself will surely lose its "taste" for some point. At this particular moment, when SARS is the center of everyone's topic, why force to put on a show and put ppl's lives in danger (at least, more dangerous than a lot of ppl can handle). Actually, if other sports events will be delayed due to the same reason at this time, I will support them, too. I can understand everyone's standard could be very different. Some ppl think it could be a serious issue, while others not. However, a sports event should let everyone focus on teh game, not have to also pay attention whether anyone sitting next to me was coughing or not. Let's say, we have WC on time. A lot of fans will really think twice before making the decision. Therefore, many ppl will lose their chances for this fantastic event, just because they have to worry about "who will sit next to me". This might sounds silly to ppl who don't fear about SARS very much. However, why we have to risk everyone's health and in potential to lose huge amount of athletes and fans (not attending) but not just wait for another several months??? There's another case I heard. A guy from TW possibly got SARS (before TW officially announce SARS, and SARS getting really serious) because his relative in HK was dying from SARS. To me, visit a dying relative is far more important than watch a game. However, still, many ppl think he should never do it. First, there's no help he bring to his relative, but got himself in danger of death. Second, this guy is a carrier too, and risk everyone else' lives. Another example about "small risk". Weeks ago, 5 kids were dead (forgot about the cause). When they were in danger, one kid (14 yrs old) called 911 (emergency call). The sad thing was, the operator heard a soft kid's voice, and thought he was joking around, so, she did not pass on the message and hang up. Talking about %%%, I know there;s a lot of fault 911 calls (a lot of them by little kids fooling around), however, just to save policeman one trip, the operator just kinda killed 5 kids in one shot. Is that worth that? Well, to her, according to her working experience, maybe 99 out of 100 times, she's perfectly right. Only this 1 fault, 5 little kids just dead together, and lost their only chance. Do u think it's really worth it???
The championship has already been cancelled and it is not possible to determine other possible outcomes. One can always ask the question, "what if a top player or some fans caught the SARS virus and died?" Since the championship has been cancelled, that question is moot, but it could have happened. Such an outcome will have large negative publicity for badminton. Based strictly on risk assessment, the cancellation was probably overly cautious. Ron
There is something I am very interested in. And that is on what basis will IBF decide when to reschedule the event? They've already discounted the medical advice that BAofE sought....
I may be misinformed, but is the Ping Pong championships going ahead? I believe some of the top players are from Asia...
Re: Re: Kia-su, Kia-si, Kia-sars!!! Cheung What I meant was that the University in question should not have barred Asian students from joining but should admit those deserving by conducting a thorough Sars examination. It can do this test and take other precautionary measures if need be as it can control the intake and admission process. Indeed, you are right in saying that the University should certainly know more about Sars than the IBF and that is why I think Asian students should not be deprived and possibly having to wait for another semester before they have a chance to gain entry. I briefly read the university has since relented and I am much relieved for the sake of our Asian students who hail from Sars-infected countries. One has to understand the different role of the IBF whose main tasks are to develop the badminton game worldwide and to provide entertainment. Compared with an academic institution like the university, I think the IBF's responsibilty is less onerous in this case as by postponing the WC as it will not affect the livelihood of players and spectators alike. In fact, some of them may prefer to give the WC a miss rather than run the risk of being infected by Sars. I think the IBF must have consulted the authorities before arriving at its painful decision. One must also try to understand the circumstances under which they are compelled to come up with such a decision, which I'm sure is not something they love to do. The Sars outbreak came suddenly. Little is known about the virus. And fears abound worldwide. Meanwhile the WC deadline is drawing ever closer. It ruins their plans, causes a great deal of misunderstanding with sponsors, players, fans, suppliers, vendors, helpers, fellow badminton associations, etc. Then they are forced to fix another more appropriate date and renegotiate with the many parties once again. Who would want all these to happen if he can help it? But when we are given the information and warnings that innocent lives can be taken away by Sars if things do not go according to plan, when people break the rules and try to circumvent the existing order, then we need to pause and decide whether it is worth the while sticking to the original plans. Should we change them till we are more sure about further developments? The death of just one life as a consequence of holding the WC as originally planned would have put the IBF in extremely bad light. Yes, the WHO dishes out advice as a matter of good faith and it is entirely up to the individuals and countries to make their own decision. Unfortunately, many who do not heed perish as evidenced in countries like China and Taiwan in particular. Sars has changed attitudes, lifestlyes, perceptions, etc and even the meaning of democracy. If democracy means to some people that you can do anything you like, that you have a right to liberty and freedom, then people's perception has since changed after the advent of Sars. If you are a Sars victim, you just can't go about infecting others through your behaviour (like spitting, coughing, etc) and claim it as your "right". A Sars carrier cannot move about freely without infecting others and causing them miseries and possible death. This is akin to murder! Rather he should be quarantined and monitored closely! I'm not saying that at the WC that Sars will make its appearance, but if there is a possibility that this can happen, then why take the risk? It has been reported that despite all the efforts and precautions by some well-intentioned countries, Sars still managed to seep through. If lives were claimed at the WC, then who is to take the blame? That is why I still support IBF's decision. It doesn't matter to me how the IBF was advised on its decision. We have experienced the deadly Sars in Singapore to remind us not to play with fire.
Sars Attack Again??? Alas, it was reported in today's papers that Singapore's "ringfence strategy" could have been breached as there have been no new Sars cases for 15 days". with the appearance of a big new cluster of possible 30 Sars cases at the Institute of Mental Health in Hougang who are down with fever. 24 elderly patients, above 60 years, and 3 of the 6 affected nurses have been transferred to the Sars 'specialist' treatment centre at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. The remaining three nurses are quarantined at home. 1,600 staff members have to move temporarily into isolation accommodation in Woodlands and Jurong to allow for close monitoring of everyone. The priority now is to stop the infection spreading to others. The Minister in charge has expressed grave concern and I think it is inevitable that some of these new cases may eventually be confirmed as Sars victims. Now the reasons for these "new" cases are still being investigated into. But suffice it to say that despite all the efforts and precautions taken by the Singapore government the Sars situation here is still in a limbo and nothing is quite conclusive. The worse is that this new cases have to come about when we are on the verge of making a breakthrough as regards the incubation period and we thought we could celebrate the status of being Sars-free. Now we are almost back to square one in the sense that people's attitudes and psyche will again be adversely affected and the economic situation both at home and abroad will continue to languish. We just can't throw caution to the wind. Hurray to the IBF for postponing the WC!
It is one such method of containment. Rather than pass judgement on few details, I would await on further details on contact tracing rather than celebrate the postponement of the WC which does not take place in a hospital. I really don't want to labour a point but apart from the the Asian delegation travelling to the tournament (I mean players/coaches etc), how many hospital workers/general public are going to travel to England to see the WC?...very few. The badminton WC is not a big event in audience (sorry to say). We might think it's big (being badminton enthusiasts) but the reality is that the vast majority of Asian faces you will see attending are either local residents or students. Lucky, our erstwhile admin chose to attend the Sudirman cup than the WC on the advice of BFer's!! I think he must have been one of only two persons to travel the furthest, just to see the tournament.
Yes, Kwun must be one of the happiest men around to be able to enjoy the hotly contested Sudirman Cup! He beat Sars to it! Our Singapore Open, scheduled in mid-June, is in danger of being cancelled or postponed in view of the unrelenting Sars situation. I will miss the opportunity of witnessing some of the best players in action. It's been a year's wait and now it can come to naught!
yes, i too realized that i was pretty lucky to have picked SC over WC for my trip. heck, you never know, by March, SARS is supposed to have been pretty wide spread in parts of China, i have asked a few Chinese players for signatures, i may have come in contact with it already!
More commonly seen on espnstar sports Ever watch European soccer on TV? Some very expert exponents of propulsion of oral fluids are evident. And these are professionals!!!
Cigarette smoking I wonder if there is a correlation between cigarette puffing and SARS.Definitely smoking weakens the lungs and make people more subsceptible to SARS and TB.Smoking definitely is related to heart disease. China has the highest no. of smokers in the world per capita. Anyway I am not running anybody down, in Japan for eg.old people still slurp their food to show appreciation, and sit on chairs with thier legs up and pee everywhere, much to the disgust of younger people.In Msia it is impossible to educate people not to smoke in air con places and not to spit anywhere they like or allow thier children to pee in places other than the toilet. Chow Sing Chi demonstrates the "hawking sound",
It was a shame that the World Champsionships were cancelled. However since it is a world ranking event, the points gained help towards the rankings in the Olympics in 2004, so this event must be held. Apparently the event will go ahead sometime in August, whether or not it is in Birmingham UK, is another question. Not only that but the World championships would have gone ahead if not for just one vote. Sars was not a major issue, as the World Health Organisation gave the go ahead for the games, rather it was the IBF themselves who decide not to give clear. Shame really, politics again.
Errr... don't know how to express my feeling toward ur comments. I agree, there should be some political issues involved (well, nothing these days can be setteled without touching politics anyway). However, "prevention" is really import in the "SARS" matter. WHO can only make decison to "bann" certain region, AFTER SARS being a serious problem. Let's say Taiwan, 2 weeks ago, TW has 0 SARS, now, it becomes one of the most serious region in SARS spreading. It's like computer virus, ppl won't make the "virus scan" program, until certain type of virus already did sig. damage in computer network, etc. My point is, a safe place today, could be the next "nightmare" region. With the potential of huge waves coming from Asia to attend WC, it will surely put a lot of ppl's lives in danger. It's very hard to draw the line. Many ppl can easily argue my points, like "hey, chance is still small, what about if nothing happened???" Of course, but don't forget, a lot of things could not be decide just by the %%%. Chance is small, but the RESULT could be DEADLY. These days, ppl have much more chance to get regular flu than SARS. However, I don't think ppl really scare to death about regular flu. Why? Because most of the cases, just take some medicine, u will be fine. However, if anyone hit the "jackpot" in SARS, I will be very sorry...
Sorry i may have mislead you in what i said. What i meant was Sars was not the overall reason why the games were cancelled, some other reasons contributed them being polical ones. I'm sure that the WHO would have taken full precautions in this matter to help prevent the spread of the virus. I read recently that the UK has only 3 probable cases but only one reported case of Sars. The person who wasn't named has recovered due to the fact that it was discovered early. But as some others mentioned on this thread, if the WC were cancelled due to Sars, then why not cancel all other forms of sports too?
