`Why should we be panicking about SARS?'<\/p>\n
The government said that there had been a number of suspected
\nSevere Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) cases here, but none of
\nthem had been confirmed. Many people, however, told The Jakarta
\nPost that they remain in the dark about the disease and complain
\nabout the lack of clear information from the government.<\/p>\n
Warta, 26, is bajaj (three-wheeled vehicle) driver who lives
\nin Pulogadung, East Jakarta with his fellow drivers. His wife
\nlives in Tegal, Central Jakarta:<\/p>\n
I heard that this respiratory ailment is spreading in the
\ncity. Is that right? I constantly hear many people talking about
\nit, but the government has not been informing the public clearly,
\nI think.<\/p>\n
Honestly speaking, I'm a bit worried about catching the
\ndisease.<\/p>\n
But I also believe this disease only affects the \"modern
\npeople\" who always eat processed food with lots of chemical
\npreservatives and additives. So, to prevent it, I think we have
\nto be more selective in choosing our meals. Otherwise, it will be
\nharmful to our health.<\/p>\n
In addition, we should have a peaceful heart and mind.
\nTherefore I'm trying to steer clear of negative thoughts because
\nit will help make our life more peaceful and promote better blood
\ncirculation. That makes our body healthy, I'm sure.<\/p>\n
For more concrete precautions, I will be careful about the
\nfood I eat in addition to staying in generally good health.
\nBesides, I will try to stay away from hotels and hospitals since
\nthose places are prone to the infection.<\/p>\n
Actually, I have learned about massage as a means to heal
\npeople. But, in the case of a viral ailment, I have no idea. I
\nworry about it despite the low probability of being infected.<\/p>\n
Yose, 31, is businessman and father of one daughter. He
\nresides in Rawamangun, East Jakarta:<\/p>\n
Frankly I don't feel bothered much by the threat of the
\nailment. We have all kinds of illnesses in our daily life here
\nand each can possibly infect us.<\/p>\n
But, in a way I feel annoyed by the fact that the government
\ndoes not seem to be transparent in informing us of the disease in
\nthis country.<\/p>\n
If the government was more transparent, the public would
\nseriously consider the precautions in anticipation of the
\ncontagious disease. I think the government stance is still
\nconfusing the public.<\/p>\n
I'm afraid that certain people will profit from the situation
\nthrough the skyrocketing costs of surgical masks. I haven't
\nbought any masks yet for my family, because I'm waiting for the
\ngovernment to clearly disclose the real facts about SARS.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, for the time being, I will tell my family not to
\ngo out in public places, including shopping centers or hospitals
\nand we will keep our general health up. Otherwise, I myself will
\nbe prone to infection since I was recently hospitalized with a
\nnervous system problem.<\/p>\n
Suhar, 41, works in a shopping center in Sunter, North
\nJakarta. He resides in Cempaka Baru, Central Jakarta with his
\nwife and only son:<\/p>\n
I think the government has been lacking in its public campaign
\nto educate people about SARS. It seems they are not being
\ntransparent about the number of suspected SARS patients.<\/p>\n
However, I wonder why we should worry about such a contagious
\ndisease like SARS. I guess it's similar to the flu which means
\nthat everybody is prone to it. So why should we worry so much
\nabout it?<\/p>\n
I heard that the quarantine area is in the hospital near here.
\nWell, I'm not saying that I'm immune to the disease but we don't
\nneed to be troubled by the threat. We are accustomed to
\nexperiencing many kinds of contagious diseases, after all.<\/p>\n
I'm a bit skeptical about the whole issue, though. I think
\nthis virus must have been deliberately created by certain people
\nwith certain vested interests.<\/p>\n
They spread the virus in an attempt to sell the anti-viral
\nmedicine that will later cure it. So, it might be a business
\ntrick to promote new medicine. I think everything is possible now
\nand it could have happened like that, at least that's what I am
\npredicting.<\/p>\n
Anyway, as a precaution, I would rather eat a lot and take
\nmore herbal remedies to keep my body fit and immune to all
\ndiseases. I will also exercise more.<\/p>\n
-- Leo Wahyudi S<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/why-should-we-be-panicking-about-sars-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }