SARS and irratioality<\/p>\n
From Koran Tempo<\/p>\n
The mass media has been reporting on the fast spread of Severe
\nAcute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in some countries in the world,
\nincluding Indonesia. The media also reported that there are some
\npeople here infected with the virus, while another report
\nrevealed that a woman migrant worker suspected of having caught
\nthe disease had refused to be treated.<\/p>\n
Extensive reporting on the disease has prompted many city
\npeople to wear masks, which are available at affordable prices on
\nthe market, to guard against infections, and has also prompted
\nthe government to take precautionary measures.<\/p>\n
However, many others have begun to act irrationally to ward
\noff the illness: They have used vinegar and green vegetables. As
\na result, the two items are becoming hard to find in the market
\nbecause they are believed to be able to improve the body's immune
\nsystem.<\/p>\n
Many shops, vendors and drugstores are making a lot of money
\nfrom selling thousands of masks every day.<\/p>\n
I am beginning to suspect that all this is only a trick to
\ndivert our attention from the American invasion. Since the spread
\nof the disease, China has been isolated and its economy shaken --
\na great blow for the Chinese.<\/p>\n
Our government should have calmed the public so that they do
\nnot act irrationally. Perhaps they can just say that SARS is not
\nthat deadly and is preventable.<\/p>\n
TAUFIK KARMADI, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sars-and-irratioality-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }