Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a respiratory illness that has recently been reported in Asia, North America, and Europe. This fact sheet provides basic information about the disease and what is being done to combat its spread. To find out more about SARS, go to www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/ and www.who.int/csr/sars/en/ . The Web sites are updated daily
In my opinion, there should be basically three major frontlines in this battle against SARS. The frontline comprises all the residents in the nation, all the health workers and other nations in the world.
Firstly, all the residents in Singapore should check their temperature twice a day to ensure that they are not feverish. Therefore, SARS patient may not be able to spread the disease after he/she become contagious. People should not spit anywhere. It is not only necessary to stop the spread of SARS, but also keep our environment clean so as to eradicate other diseases.
Secondly, our health worker would be the essential part in this combat. All the health workers should be extremely aware of the danger of SARS. Whenever they see a SARS-like patient, they have the obligation to check him/her and send the patient to TTSH. In addition, we have to stop the spread of SARS in all these medical institutions. So far, 40% of the patients can be related to hospital. They are patients, visitors and even doctors and nurses. If we can totally eliminate the danger of catching disease in hospital, it will be better.
Thirdly, collaborations among nations are also needed. SARS hit countries like Vietnam, Canada and China should share the information. This could expedite the research on the unknown virus. Especially for China mainland and Hong Kong, government should keep their situation transparent for the world. They should not cover up any bad news. Moreover, China should increase its speed and highlight its measures to fight against SARS. Only when China can control the disease, the rest of world can live in peace.
All in all, we should unite together can try our best to defeat SARS in order to go back to normal lives.
