Yvette_B

Looks like the media is starting to calm the hype about SARS a little. Check out this article...<BR><BR>http://msnbc.com/news/901618.asp

LucyHo

In China and Hong Kong and Vietnam it has been very serious, and also in Singapore to a lessor extent. It IS serious but I agree that it is the proportions of media coverage and often media hysteria that are the problem.<BR><BR>The media provides too much of a one sided issue so often these days that it is difficult for many of us to get a perspective on the real issue. Some of the international news networks including TV were showing frightening sights of everyone wearing masks. Next time you see one of those broadcasts move your eyes to the corner and behind those being filmed, then you will see few people wearing masks. The news team obviously move their cameras to a particular group to create an impression. I was amazed when they showed footage as if everyone in Singapore was wearing a mask! Rubbish!<BR><BR>We then find out that almost 100 people in the USA alone die from pneumonia every single day, and countless receive hospital treatment. Then that people catch all kinds of life threatening diseases all the time, but the media just shows the panic side.<BR><BR>I am not saying it is not serious but I just wish that media/officials instead of just making us all worried bothered to explain the real facts of the issue, but I guess that does not sell newspapers of advertising TV time!

Patrick

I'm curious if YvetteB and LucyHo still feel that way after the additional warnings went out yesterday and there has been a considerable increase in number of released death and infections statistics.

If the media was starting to calm the hype last week, I think that has reversed this week.

Yvette_B

Yes Patrick, because no matter what crises, disaster, etc. happens in this world, the media will always exagerate the situation much more than it is and cause uncalled for panic and hysteria.

Of course the hype has reversed because of the new incidents in Beijing, duh! If you read again LucyHo's comment the point we are trying to make is the one I have just stated in regards to the media, NOT that SARS is not a serious issue or one to be concerned about.

Patrick

I guess with what I've been seeing on and in the media, my reaction is quite the opposite. I haven't seen any hysteria being caused by the media, in fact, reading between the lines of the media simply reporting numbers of cases and actual warnings being issued, I kind of feel that the severity of the situation is a lot greater than the media would suggest. But that is based on the first hand reports of two different pairs of friends who have recently returned. They have indicated a much more noticeable change in &quot;atmosphere&quot; in Hong Kong, Beijing, and even Singapore than the media seems to suggest. I get more the feeling from the media that life is going on almost normally in those cities, but a number of people are wearing masks, etc. My friends indicated seeing numerous almost desolate streets and public places -- something I haven't seen suggested by the media.

CalgirlSusan

I'm often amused by those who say that the media is causing hysteria. What have they reported that you wish they would have done differently? Would you have preferred them not to tell that people are dying of SARS and giving the numbers? Would you rather they just ignored reporting that travel warnings have been issued to avoid some destinations? Would you want them to ignore the facts or merely distort them? I can't see how they are reporting anything as less than accurate and I certainly don't see what the media is doing to cause hysteria, if any such hysteria is taking place. Maybe you'd prefer the United States and international media to do like the Chinese -- just ignore the problem and deny that it is a problem.

LucyHo

It was very interesting to see the response of the Mayor of Toronto and other officials of Canada after the WHO issued a travel warning to Toronto.

linwein

I'm surprised some people claim life is still the same with SARS. I live in Singapore which is a mild case compared to what is happening in HK and Singapore and life IS different. People dont eat out. They dont go shopping much, which is strange for Singaporeans. The area around my condo pool is empty becos neighbours prefer not to socialise. People touch lift buttons with their key.Taxis wind down their windows despite the heat.There is a mad rush for food in supermarkets. Nobody travels by plane. Try sneezing or coughing and you'll get a vacuum around you immediately.Yes there are not many people wearing masks on the streets as compared to HK but EVERYONE is very concerned and many are afraid. In HK it's much more paranoid.Nobody is preventing you from travelling to the SARS affected countries but pls dont say life is still the same unless you live here and know what it is like.

venezia

Hi LucyHo,
I find your post funny. You say all you want the media to do is give the facts. The medical community are still struggling to come up with the facts of this disease at this point. That alone is reason to worry.
The press has continually given us the statistical facts and you call it generating hysteria.
I think that the reality for those of us in Asia right now and the reality for those in their armchairs in areas where there is no significant number of SARS victims are completely different.

AMS

We were booked with ChinaPlus, a tour agency recommended by Fodors, of Irving,TX to travel for 21 days in China, leaving April 23. Travel included Shanghai, Beijing, Xian, 5 days on Yangtze River. ChinaPlus owners, Chris and Ping Lee, insisted on taking the tour in spite of US State Dept. warning, CDC and WHO advisories. They would not refund any or part of full payments to persons who believe it was wrong to go to China at this time. They offered to switch travelers to a later date at an ADDITIONAL COST. They did not provide any information regarding safeguards during trip, only insisted trip was safe and even stated at one point (in writing) that cure for disease exists and problem was getting better. Odyssey Unlimited canceled their tours. We believe it was not in America's best interest that ChinaPlus insisted on taking tourists to China at this time and were totally unreasonable regarding refunds for persons who felt it was morally wrong to go at this time. We hope Fodors does not continue to recommend ChinaPlus.