Rumours spreading like a virus
Friday, April 25, 2003
china.scmp.com
STAFF REPORTER in Beijing
Martial law is about to be declared and a ring of steel will be built around the city. We'll all be forced into quarantine, but we might starve as food supplies are running scarce.
These are just some of the rumours spreading among Beijing's foreign community as people watch the list of Sars victims soar and fear the situation is about to spiral out of control.
"I've received several text messages telling me they are going to introduce martial law," said Issa Kiboa, a French businessman. "They're planning to block off the city with a ring of steel. What if we're stuck here while the disease keeps spreading?"
Anyone who was staying in Beijing should stock up on necessities and stay at home, he said.
Many foreigners had already fled the capital and those left are "pretty spooked by all the talk", according to Neil Hamilton, an English teacher at a school in the Haidian district.
"As it happens I've decided to stay, but even if I wanted to leave I don't think I would be able to get a flight," he said.
British Airways said all of its flights out of Beijing were full for the next week and incoming flights were very quiet. Several other airlines said there were either no seats or extremely limited availability on flights out of the city in the coming days. Finland's national carrier, Finnair, announced on Wednesday it was cancelling its service from Helsinki to Beijing, and there were unconfirmed reports other airlines were considering following suit.
Every Kiki, a Chinese-language student from Benin, said that until a few days ago he thought it was all media hype.
"But now it's getting serious. If it gets any worse we'll get out of here."
Several foreigners were critical of the government secrecy in the early days of the crisis. Trust in leadership was critical to confidence, said Mr Hamilton. "But the government simply has zero credibility. They've shown the world they put saving face ahead of saving lives."
A teacher at an international school said about 25 families had said they would not be bringing their children back to Beijing until September at the earliest. |
