I think the draconian measures which have finally been implemented in Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore and China are, or will be, essential, worldwide, unfortunately.
These include:
-- screening people getting on and off airplanes and other public transportation with questionnaires, themometers and/or infrared body scans -- if they are potentially infected with SARS, don't let them travel;
-- disinfect public transportation and public restrooms regularly -- that means several times a day -- for taxicabs that means after each passenger -- keep disinfectant alcohol based hand cleaner in all public bathrooms;
-- faster processing of people presenting at health care facilities with SARS-type symptoms -- don't leave them sitting around waiting rooms, or lying around on stretchers in hallways;
-- provide potentially infected patients with their own thermometers to take their temperatures at home -- in some places patients have to travel to health care facilities to have their temperature taken, which is a VERY bad idea;
-- treat all potential cases of SARS as if they really are SARS until proven otherwise -- that means gown, gloves, goggles and N-95 masks on health care providers -- that means make all suspect cases of SARS stay home until proven otherwise -- probably their families too;
-- avoid hospitals and health care facilities unless necessary --
I know the above seems crazy. Unfortunately, there is no reliable test for SARS and there is no cure. The death rate is in the range of 10%. It is out of control in China. Without drastic measures, I see no reason for it not to become endemic world wide.
According to US Department of Health and Human Service, 90 to 95% of all respirators in the US are in use during flu season already. |
