SARS worse than a plane crash: Flight crew

Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

"I do not believe in the medical check system at the airport. There might be someone with no symptoms at all who is actually carrying the SARS virus and might infect us on board," Annisa (not her real name) a flight attendant with Garuda Indonesia airlines told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

Annisa was frightened of catching the flu-like disease while on duty. "It would be better for me to be in a plane crash rather than to catch SARS. A plane crash might kill me instantly, but SARS will make me suffer."

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, has spread worldwide, with 2,601 cases in 17 countries and at least 100 fatalities, according to the World Health Organization's latest report. It is thought that international air travel has contributed to spreading the disease from Guangdong province, China, where it is believed to have first emerged, to Vietnam, Singapore, Canada and the UK, among others.

Another Garuda flight attendant, Chandra (not her real name), said that she was very worried of becoming infected with SARS.

"I've taken extra vitamins, but this is my own initiative. The company has taken no anticipatory precautions, like providing us with vitamins and supplements, or anything else," she said.

Chandra is now on duty in Singapore as part of her duty on the Jakarta-Singapore-London route. "I'm afraid to leave my hotel, unless it's absolutely necessary. The disease scares me," she said.

However, she also mentioned that the situation in Singapore is not as she had expected. "In fact, there are still many people on the streets without masks. Those who have been infected are quarantined in a separate hospital."

Meanwhile, the director of company communication at Garuda, Pudjobroto, told The Jakarta Post that the flagship airline had provided dietary supplements to their flight crew, which includes pilots, flight attendants and ground officers, since last week.

"We have the Garuda Medical Center, where all crew members can have routine periodical medical check-ups. We have also provided our crew with specific information on the disease," he added.

"It is expected that they will be more alert. At this time, they are able to help by monitoring and paying close attention to the physical conditions of passengers," he said.

Pudjobroto also said that surgical masks and medical gloves had been prepared for flights to affected destinations, specifically to Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Bangkok.

"But we have not yet made it obligatory for our crew to wear masks during the flight," he said.

"Medical clearance procedures will be intensified. If a passenger comes down with SARS-like symptoms, we will consult with airport authorities first as to whether the passenger will be allowed to board the plane," said Pudjobroto.

Garuda has also rescheduled its flights to the affected cities between April 7 to May 15 due to the SARS outbreak.

The Medan-Singapore route, for example, which is usually served four times a week, has been temporarily suspended. Other flights through Singapore have also been reduced.