SARS - Unmasking the Myth

[May K. Toney]

Unmasking the myth of SARS defense


By Ayako Oguni
Mainichi Shimbun

April 9, 2003


Fashionable masks worn by people in Hong Kong to protect themselves against SARS.

Step out into the street in the middle of Tokyo and you are bound to see people wearing masks. Some are no doubt trying to block out hay fever, but many other frightened residents have bought them as protection against the deadly severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

However, whether the masks will help anyone in Japan remains questionable. A special Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry committee announced on April 7 that masks are not necessary for protection against SARS.

"Because no cases of SARS patients have occurred within the country, there is no need to for ordinary people to wear masks to protect against infection," the announcement said. "The N95 masks that are used at medical institutions are used for a special purpose, and proper use is required with them," it continued.

N95 masks, which are similar to surgical masks, are filtered to keep out 95 percent of particles in the air that are 0.3 microns across or larger. After the World Health Organization mentioned the masks as part of its Hospital Infection Control Guidance guidelines when dealing with patients with probable SARS, demand in Japan for the masks soared, not just from medical institutions but also from regular customers. One Internet sales firm based in Nagoya said its stock of masks had been bought out.

"Within a few days at the end of March our entire stock was gone," a worker at the firm said. "We already have 100 orders and we can't accept any more."

In spite of the demand, however, Nobuhiko Okabe, a disease-information center director at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, says that the only thing the masks will do for ordinary people is make it difficult to breathe.

"These masks are for use in medical institutions. They offer high protection, but because of this, ordinary people will only find it hard to breathe if they wear them. They are not really suitable for general protection. We aren't even at a stage where there are SARS patients within the country and there is not much point worrying about the good and bad qualities of masks."

That, of course, doesn't mean that SARS won't appear in Japan in the future, and many people are buying masks to be on the safe side.

"I want to buy some now while I can so that I am all right any time a SARS patient appears," one woman in her 30s said when questioned about buying the masks.

To this people like this, Okabe says they should still realize that masks are only one method of protection and do not offer full cover.

"People in medical institutions wear not only the masks, but goggles as well so they don't get infected through their eyes," he says

The special Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry committee also says that masks are not the sole solution: "It is also important to implement strict enforcement of washing hands and gargling."

[Robert Smith -]

Something different, but also something interesting. SARS has got alot of the world's population scared, and it just gets worse anytime you hear of another case that has popped up.

[May K. Toney]

Originally posted by Robert Smith
Something different, but also something interesting. SARS has got alot of the world's population scared, and it just gets worse anytime you hear of another case that has popped up.

You're right, Robert.
This story is off the PI topic but of concern to us all. I knew of the problem but, as with many things, it seemed far away and just another one of those things you hear or read about. I really didn't know much about SARS at all. This story provided a lot of details about SARS and really opened my eyes to the seriousness of this disease. I had no idea of the devasting toll it's taking on the world's population. I have learned that SARS is not distant at all. Although it's never my intention to panic anyone, I thought the story was worth sharing.

Thank you for your comments.

[Doug Bassett]

Thanks for sharing that info May. Good information allows one to be pro-active.

Thank you.

[Byron Burke II]

I do not know why but this story reminded me of something that someone told me once, "In a stressfull situation a person can shine and the best of humanity shine through, but in the same situation people are stupid and usually the worst of humanity becomes world news." I do not know why I thought of this saying, but I did.

[Bryan McManis]

Greetings,

You are all probably going to think that I am crazy but I believe that this was a biological warfare test.

It was possibly being tested by the Chinese and it got out into the “Wild” or it is being tested by a terrorist organization and they wanted to cover their tracks since this was only a test and picked China as the place to work with.

More risky things were done on all sides during the Cold War.

[May K. Toney]

Originally posted by Bryan McManis
You are all probably going to think that I am crazy but I believe that this was a biological warfare test. More risky things were done on all sides during the Cold War.

Hello Bryan,

Spoken like a true PI. Your theory may not be correct, but it certainly isn't crazy. What's crazy are the number of strange and world threatening events that have taken place over the last several years. Strange and incurable diseases, fatal food poisons, drowning economy and escalating public distrust and division suggests that many of these events are connected. Perhaps, part of a carefully executed propaganda machine designed to divide, weaken then conquer our united nations. Now, who sounds crazy?

I believe that numerous PI's and intelligence agencies have been exploring and playing "connect the dots" with these and other theories for years. And there's a wave of new PIs in these forums that can't wait to help them out.

Thanks for your comments.

[Bryan McManis]

Originally posted by May K. Toney


Hello Bryan,

What's crazy are the number of strange and world threatening events that have taken place over the last several years. Strange and incurable diseases, fatal food poisons, drowning economy and escalating public distrust and division suggests that many of these events are connected.


You bring up some very interesting points that I have not thought about as set of connected events.

Well done, I will have to look at your angle with more thought from now on. I can honestly say that I have never looked at those set of problems in that type of light.

All the best,

[Bryan McManis]

Originally posted by May K. Toney


Perhaps, part of a carefully executed propaganda machine designed to divide, weaken then conquer our united nations. Now, who sounds crazy?


I think the fiasco that occurred with the United Nations and the United States over this last war with Iraq has left the United Nations looking weak and useless for the world to see. You will see the European Common Market rise to Military power and make the United Nations even more inept and useless when it comes to World events.

[Mr Jose Bonavich Jr]

Hey everyone,

When SAR's first came out, I thought of the Influenza epidemic that wiped out hunderds of thousands of people earlier in the century. My thought regarding this, was with the environmental changes, our exploration and development of previously "virgin" areas, has allowed mutations to occur that are stronger and more virilant than previous "flu" bugs. I can't say that I originally thought "biological weapon" but you never know. ;)

[May K. Toney]

Bryan, Leisl
These are strange and difficult times, to say the least. The general public will never know all that goes on behind the scenes. So, it's only natural that we would speculate a bit.

[Mr Jose Bonavich Jr]

May,

Considering that we are all here because of our desire to be investigators, a little speculation regarding world events would be appropriate.
;)

[May K. Toney]

Originally posted by Leisl D Olson
May,

Considering that we are all here because of our desire to be investigators, a little speculation regarding world events would be appropriate.
;)
Good point!

[Kathleen Padgett]

Interesting topic.. and viewpoints. It's amazing how quickly these viruses and diseases spread worldwide with the high volume of business and leisure travel and the abillty to travel worldwide in just a few hours..... scary stuff. It's even scarier to realize some viruses are actually created through experiments, as Byron suggested, this could happen (anywhere), ya just never know.

[Byron Burke II]

Well, if you think that people making a deadly virus in a lab is scary think of this; on a Discovery channel show a while ago they were talking about HIV. Well viruses mutate so quickly due to their 20 minute (on Avg.) birth rate. Also viruses usualy do go airborne at least for a short time due to mutations, due to these considerations HIV should go airborne at some point in the future, hopefully for a few generations, due to the fact that the HIV virus is intolerant to the air, hopefully this will not change, only something like 50%-60% of the world will die, because of it. Maybe that is why we are sending money to Africa and spend more money on HIV research. You know 162.5 million died in the U.S.A alone this would make the Black Death look like a flu epidemic.

[Kathleen Padgett]

Yikes!! That's interesting stuff! I hope they are working rapidly to develop cures where possible.

[May K. Toney]

Ok, now I'm really concerned. HIV airborne? Oh, my! I do believe that the appropriate technical expression here is definitely, "Yikes!"

You've all raised key issues and have given me a great deal to consider. I appreciate your thoughts.

The good news is that everyone is working together to find cures for these diseases. It is my humble opinion that this is driven by the fact that these viruses have no respect for culture, upbringing, background, income or status. They simply take people as they find them. I don't mean to sound snobbish but it seems that whatever impacts the rich, powerful and influential remains in the spotlight and on the agenda. As long as these diseases threaten them, the search for a cure will never stop. Even as we speak, the medical community is closer than ever to finding cures.

My hope is that any cures they develop will be made readily available and affordable to anyone and everyone that needs it. Remember what the AIDS treatment cost initially? Remember how insurance companies refused to pay for AIDS treatment? Case and point.

[Michael Harris]

I thought the article was going to focus on all the masked individuals commiting day-light robberies. I was mistaken. :confused: I need to get the crystal ball tuned.

[Carl V Kowaleski]

Originally posted by Bryan McManis
Greetings,

You are all probably going to think that I am crazy but I believe that this was a biological warfare test. SARS seemed to have faded recently. I wonder what happened with a small news clip I read months ago which speculated that SARS cases were highest in areas where consumption of cats for food was greatest! Don't throw away those N95 masks though, I also heard from a nurse where I'm employed that these masks can protect against ANTHRAX. May our Lord lead use to the fiends who perpetrated that terrorist mystery!:mad:

[Mr Jose Bonavich Jr]

Hey everyone,

I just read an article reading SARS and it's possible re-emergence this winter.

The CDC has been contacting hospitals around the U.S. to make sure that the doctors/nurses understand what SARS looks like and how to respond if confirmed.

Part of the issue is mis-diagnoisis from doctors/nurses who have had no training in SARS symptomology (sp?), in addition to the wide spread panic they expect from the public regarding regular flu symptons vs. SARS.

It seems the CDC feels that the general public will be making more trips to the hospital from the fear of having SARS even when they have the "standard" flu.

Personally I feel it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your health, so if I felt is was necessary I would be at the hospital getting tested. :)

[Angela Virgo -]

Originally posted by Leisl D Olson
Hey everyone,

I just read an article reading SARS and it's possible re-emergence this winter.

The CDC has been contacting hospitals around the U.S. to make sure that the doctors/nurses understand what SARS looks like and how to respond if confirmed.

Part of the issue is mis-diagnoisis from doctors/nurses who have had no training in SARS symptomology (sp?), in addition to the wide spread panic they expect from the public regarding regular flu symptons vs. SARS.

It seems the CDC feels that the general public will be making more trips to the hospital from the fear of having SARS even when they have the "standard" flu.

Personally I feel it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your health, so if I felt is was necessary I would be at the hospital getting tested. :)

:p Well! Lets all back up and regroup. We all know about the Bible and the end of the world. The deal is that there have always been terrorists, murderers and the like. I also know that the world is full of good and generous people willing to fight these evils. LIKE US. Investigation specialists that will stick together for the betterment of mankind and expose, squash and evaporate those that would do harm to our loved ones.;)

[Michael Harris]

Originally posted by Angela Virgo ... I also know that the world is full of good and generous people willing to fight these evils. LIKE US. ...
Angela,

I like the way you think. :D

[Dragos Sfinteanu]

The improbable but possible theory of Brian McManis raised concerns that are justified by our rational nature. The same nature challenges us to evaluate the global danger and the power of response.

The actual stage of danger excludes a major confrontation. Even the worst crises of the Cold War avoided the use of weapons of mass destruction (nuclear, chemical, and biological). The governments became more responsible facing this danger. Strong coalitions of such governments eliminated the dictators in Afghanistan and Iraq, which were potential threats in this respect. The last remaining one in the Korean peninsula is cornered by a growing international pressure.

The extreme case - small groups of people or individuals (type "mad scientist") - do not represent a significant threat since they are not capable to confront society. Sooner or later they are caught (see Timothy McVeigh, Terry Nichols, Theodore Kazinski).

The remaining segment, the terrorist organizations, smaller or larger, represent the real potential threat. The terrorists would do everything in their power to acquire WMD and use them against the US and other countries. The media has already mentioned the experiments performed by Al Quaida in Afghanistan, testing deadly agents on dogs, as well as its attempts to build a "dirty" nuclear device.

The biological warfare (anthrax) was tested in Iraq by Saddam Husein against his own people with terrible results: 200,000 victims. The Americans did not find anthrax in Iraq after Saddam was ousted, neither were found the documents certifying its destruction. It still represents a serious concern. Let's remember in this respect the media reports that today in Iraq there are more Al Quaida members than in Afghanistan.

SARS involvement is neither a certitude nor a probability. It is a possibility or just a speculation. In my opinion, a certitude in this respect is the fact that if SARS exists, it is strictly monitored, most likely "behind the scene", as posted in earlier comments.

The intelligence in the anti-terror war is provided by the CIA and FBI, as well as other government agencies and organizations. I do not know the level of involvement (if any) of PI in this action. As a future PI, I would love to be a participant in this war, fighting with any weapon: gun, computer, even a pen. And my mind. This is a common feeling of Forum members, springing from a lot of previous comments. But the "rationale nature" tells me that this job is to be performed by the CIA and FBI. It is perfectly possible for smart minds of PI to be involved in intelligence activities related to anti-terror fight but I guess they will finally end in the ranks of CIA (or FBI).

[Angela Virgo -]

Originally posted by Dragos Sfinteanu
The improbable but possible theory of Brian McManis raised concerns that are justified by our rational nature. The same nature challenges us to evaluate the global danger and the power of response.

The actual stage of danger excludes a major confrontation. Even the worst crises of the Cold War avoided the use of weapons of mass destruction (nuclear, chemical, and biological). The governments became more responsible facing this danger. Strong coalitions of such governments eliminated the dictators in Afghanistan and Iraq, which were potential threats in this respect. The last remaining one in the Korean peninsula is cornered by a growing international pressure.

The extreme case - small groups of people or individuals (type "mad scientist") - do not represent a significant threat since they are not capable to confront society. Sooner or later they are caught (see Timothy McVeigh, Terry Nichols, Theodore Kazinski).

The remaining segment, the terrorist organizations, smaller or larger, represent the real potential threat. The terrorists would do everything in their power to acquire WMD and use them against the US and other countries. The media has already mentioned the experiments performed by Al Quaida in Afghanistan, testing deadly agents on dogs, as well as its attempts to build a "dirty" nuclear device.

The biological warfare (anthrax) was tested in Iraq by Saddam Husein against his own people with terrible results: 200,000 victims. The Americans did not find anthrax in Iraq after Saddam was ousted, neither were found the documents certifying its destruction. It still represents a serious concern. Let's remember in this respect the media reports that today in Iraq there are more Al Quaida members than in Afghanistan.

SARS involvement is neither a certitude nor a probability. It is a possibility or just a speculation. In my opinion, a certitude in this respect is the fact that if SARS exists, it is strictly monitored, most likely "behind the scene", as posted in earlier comments.

The intelligence in the anti-terror war is provided by the CIA and FBI, as well as other government agencies and organizations. I do not know the level of involvement (if any) of PI in this action. As a future PI, I would love to be a participant in this war, fighting with any weapon: gun, computer, even a pen. And my mind. This is a common feeling of Forum members, springing from a lot of previous comments. But the "rationale nature" tells me that this job is to be performed by the CIA and FBI. It is perfectly possible for smart minds of PI to be involved in intelligence activities related to anti-terror fight but I guess they will finally end in the ranks of CIA (or FBI).


:) I have read several of your opinions over the past week I have been here. I am well on the same page with you. I hope that being here will give me a greater knowledge of the world around us. I also hope to become not only better informed, but also as well read as you seem to be.:cool: Thank you for your input.

[Dragos Sfinteanu]

Angela,

Thank you for your kind comment.

Be convinced that in a short period of time you will be not only better informed, but able to express your own statements in a variety of fields, that I am sure will be appreciated. The succes will be guaranteed by the great environment provided by IPIU forums, as well as your reading and posting.

Dragos

[Tana Fritts]

I think sometimes in life people hear or, are told, things that scare them and they react by doing things to try to help them feel safe. A lot of times it's because people are not totally educated on what is going on. Sometimes in life, no matter how hard you try to do something, or to prevent something, in the end if it's suppose to be it will be.

[Michael Harris]

These are scary thoughts for a scary time.

while I have been out of the IPIU forums for a few months, I have been busy trying to understand the craziness around us.

I have found some answers in Machiavelli's The Prince and in Sun Tzu's Art of War.

I recommend both of these books. I am also using Cliffs Notes for Machiavelli, and two different translations for Sun Tzu - with commentary.

[Dragos Sfinteanu]

Originally posted by Michael Harris

I found some answers in Machiavelli's The Pinnce and in Sun Tzu's Art of War.....


I think it is "The Prince" ("Il Principe"... 1580)

[Michael Harris]

Dragos,

Fat finger typo.

Anyway, read both with an eye to understanding political thinking - it helps.

[Dragos Sfinteanu]

Michael,

1. What means "Fat finger typo"?

2. I already read "Il Principe"....20 years ago (when I had time to read) :(

[Michael Harris]

Dragos,

A fat-finger typo is a misspelling that is caused by clumsiness at the keyboard rather than ignorance.

[Mary A Young -]

Good morning:

This is another interesting topic to find here at IPIU. Here is a link where you can find a lot of information on a daily basis that deals with world news that may affect our security. I receive their free daily email as we host exchange students from various countries, this year Bosnia-Herzogovina, and it helps me keep myself and them up on what is going on in their country.

They also issue alerts on Cybercrime and terrorism. I'm having problems accessing the site at the moment, but was able to earlier this morning.

http://www.ds-osac.org

I get information from here that I do not get other places. This is the website of the Overseas Security Advisory Council. It is a private-US government partnership mainly to issue travel warnings. But they do get into other things.

Some may find this to be informative.

Mary

[Michael Harris]

Mary,

I tried the link and the site does not exist.

I tried a Google search and got the same link - again no site.

[Michael Harris]

Mary,

I tried to get into the site from the official State Department website - again no luck.

I am going to assume that this is a minor inconvenience and that the site will be back up in the near future.

I am anxious to check it out.

[Dragos Sfinteanu]

Michael,

Fat finger typo... this is good. Thank you. I have now a "rapid response" weapon in my arsenal. I need it sometimes.

[Mary A Young -]

Friends:

I'm sorry that that link didn't work to access that site. When I get my email from them tomorrow I'll see if I can find something better contained there.

Its not working for me right now either.

Mary

[Michael Harris]

Dragos,

Are you planning to use that as an excuse? :rolleyes: :o

[Dragos Sfinteanu]

Michael,

First, "catch me, if you can" :) :D ;) :p

I got instantly the answer, after recently watching the movie (excellent team Hanks-Di Caprio!)

[Michael Harris]

Dragos,

I was impressed by the movie - based on a real-life story.

The young con man was brilliant.:D

[Dragos Sfinteanu]

Michael,

I also liked the old con man (Christopher Walken). Excellent actor.

[Carl V Kowaleski]

Originally posted by Mary A Young
Good morning:


They also issue alerts on Cybercrime and terrorism. I'm having problems accessing the site at the moment, but was able to earlier this morning.

http://www.ds-osac.org

I get information from here that I do not get other places. This is the website of the Overseas Security Advisory Council. It is a private-US government partnership mainly to issue travel warnings. But they do get into other things.

Some may find this to be informative.

Mary Interesting site, thank you Mary, it now seems to be online, and now one of my favorites.:)