`Why should we be panicking about SARS?'

`Why should we be panicking about SARS?'

The government said that there had been a number of suspected
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) cases here, but none of
them had been confirmed. Many people, however, told The Jakarta
Post that they remain in the dark about the disease and complain
about the lack of clear information from the government.

Warta, 26, is bajaj (three-wheeled vehicle) driver who lives
in Pulogadung, East Jakarta with his fellow drivers. His wife
lives in Tegal, Central Jakarta:

I heard that this respiratory ailment is spreading in the
city. Is that right? I constantly hear many people talking about
it, but the government has not been informing the public clearly,
I think.

Honestly speaking, I'm a bit worried about catching the
disease.

But I also believe this disease only affects the "modern
people" who always eat processed food with lots of chemical
preservatives and additives. So, to prevent it, I think we have
to be more selective in choosing our meals. Otherwise, it will be
harmful to our health.

In addition, we should have a peaceful heart and mind.
Therefore I'm trying to steer clear of negative thoughts because
it will help make our life more peaceful and promote better blood
circulation. That makes our body healthy, I'm sure.

For more concrete precautions, I will be careful about the
food I eat in addition to staying in generally good health.
Besides, I will try to stay away from hotels and hospitals since
those places are prone to the infection.

Actually, I have learned about massage as a means to heal
people. But, in the case of a viral ailment, I have no idea. I
worry about it despite the low probability of being infected.

Yose, 31, is businessman and father of one daughter. He
resides in Rawamangun, East Jakarta:

Frankly I don't feel bothered much by the threat of the
ailment. We have all kinds of illnesses in our daily life here
and each can possibly infect us.

But, in a way I feel annoyed by the fact that the government
does not seem to be transparent in informing us of the disease in
this country.

If the government was more transparent, the public would
seriously consider the precautions in anticipation of the
contagious disease. I think the government stance is still
confusing the public.

I'm afraid that certain people will profit from the situation
through the skyrocketing costs of surgical masks. I haven't
bought any masks yet for my family, because I'm waiting for the
government to clearly disclose the real facts about SARS.

Nevertheless, for the time being, I will tell my family not to
go out in public places, including shopping centers or hospitals
and we will keep our general health up. Otherwise, I myself will
be prone to infection since I was recently hospitalized with a
nervous system problem.

Suhar, 41, works in a shopping center in Sunter, North
Jakarta. He resides in Cempaka Baru, Central Jakarta with his
wife and only son:

I think the government has been lacking in its public campaign
to educate people about SARS. It seems they are not being
transparent about the number of suspected SARS patients.

However, I wonder why we should worry about such a contagious
disease like SARS. I guess it's similar to the flu which means
that everybody is prone to it. So why should we worry so much
about it?

I heard that the quarantine area is in the hospital near here.
Well, I'm not saying that I'm immune to the disease but we don't
need to be troubled by the threat. We are accustomed to
experiencing many kinds of contagious diseases, after all.

I'm a bit skeptical about the whole issue, though. I think
this virus must have been deliberately created by certain people
with certain vested interests.

They spread the virus in an attempt to sell the anti-viral
medicine that will later cure it. So, it might be a business
trick to promote new medicine. I think everything is possible now
and it could have happened like that, at least that's what I am
predicting.

Anyway, as a precaution, I would rather eat a lot and take
more herbal remedies to keep my body fit and immune to all
diseases. I will also exercise more.

-- Leo Wahyudi S