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Wednesday, April 09, 2003We analysed case notes and microbiological findings for 50 patients with SARS, representing more than five separate epidemiologically linked transmission clusters. ...A virus belonging to the family Coronaviridae was isolated from two patients. By use of serological and reverse-transcriptase PCR specific for this virus, 45 of 50 patients with SARS, but no controls, had evidence of infection with this virus. And in China, officials are beginning to own up to their mistakes: “Today, we apologize to everyone,” said Li Liming. “Our medical departments and our mass media suffered poor coordination. We weren’t able to muster our forces in helping to provide everyone with scientific publicity and allowing the masses to get hold of this sort of knowledge.” But, their first response was not one of concern for public health, and it makes one doubt the sincerity of their apology: Since the beginning of the outbreak last fall, Beijing has seen little of the panic that spread rapidly through southern China where the disease is believed to have first surfaced. However, media coverage of frenzied shoppers in Guangdong buying face masks, vinegar and folk remedies did stir the Chinese government into early action — of a sort. The government closed at least one Beijing newspaper and advised others to restrict coverage of the SARS health crisis, according to reporters and editors in Beijing. They’re now allowing coverage by the media, and investigation by WHO authorities. There was a Chinese doctor on NPR this morning, however, who said that the Beijing authorities aren’t being entirely truthful even now (transcript not available until after noon, but here’s their web page.) Are they being honest and open now? Who knows? As one Beijing resident puts it: "First they tell us it doesn't exist here, then they say it's a disease imported from other places and everyone is quarantined," said a man visiting a local park with his daughter. He wore no face mask and had not taken any other precautions against the disease. "What should I do? Nobody tells us. And even if they did, how can we trust what they say?" That’s the problem with lying. It destroys all credibility. And once in a while, a regime. UPDATE: Here's a print version of the Chinese doctor's story. What does he think of the health ministry? I think [Minister Zhang] wants very much to accomplish big things so he must tell lies." posted by Sydney on 4/09/2003 08:10:00 AM 0 comments 0 Comments: |
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