Yet, although we know it is a hard to ignore the SARS epidemic we cannot allow it to rule our lives. I think we should let the experts to do their job and find the cause and eventually the cure for it. It helps no one if we panic and spread wrong information about SARS.
The best that we can do at this time is to pray that a cure may be found soon.
For this week I asked a few personalities about how SARS has affected their lifestyles. Here’s what they had to say.
Bob Zozobrado, president, Ideaz: SARS has taken its toll on my social life. The fact that I’m home on a Friday night is proof of that. Now, I go out only for private dinners with people I know are safe. No more bars or public places meanwhile because I don’t want to leave behind my three young children.
Rico Hizon, BBC News Asia anchor/producer/reporter: In Singapore, we are just living our normal lives. What comes out in the news is exaggerated! One or two pictures with people wearing masks or a hospital scene with men and women wearing the N95 3M face masks tend to blow a situation out of proportion. In the shopping districts of Orchard Road, Raffles City and Suntec City rarely will you see a soul wearing a face mask. Even here at the BBC news office, none of us are wearing face masks. If you are too paranoid about SARS, you won’t be able to live your life. Please, life must go on! And I think many of us here have learned to live with SARS in our backyard. Singapore has done a great job in containing the SARS virus, most of the cases are contained at the Tan Tock Seng Hospital which they call the "Battles of SARS Zone."
But when I was in Manila for the Holy Week, I couldn’t believe that so many Pinoys are so paranoid about SARS. Everyone that I met on the street, at gatherings or spoke to on the phone, asked me if I had SARS. Hello! If I had the flu, cough or a cold, I wouldn’t take the risk of going home for the Holy Week and risking anyone’s health. I just told them that the Philippines is my quarantine area! Let’s all pray that a vaccine will soon be found to arrest this deadly pneumonia-like virus.
Sari Ortiga, owner, Crucible Gallery: Sars was a term of endearment used by wife, family and close friends for me. Now the name strikes fear in every man’s health. Seriously? I was quarantined in a San Francisco-Manila flight for 13 hours. Isolated and unwanted. Passports confiscated. Now SARS is scary.
Patrice Ramos-Diaz, fashion designer: It worries me a lot but I try to live a normal life. But it’s more difficult for people like me who live in a condo. Even taking the elevator has become a health risk. I also make sure that I wash my hands with alcohol more frequently and that my family and I get our full dose of vitamins. Yet, for the most part, life goes on as usual.
Anthony Yupangco, businessman: Because people here are so closely linked – socially, culturally, physically and emotionally, if SARS were to hit us it would be so vicious. Having said that, I pray that it does not come here. But now, life goes on and people should use their head in staying away from this disease as that would be the best defense against it – and prayers also.
Rock Drilon, artist: SARS has made me more home-based than I already am.
Helen Sotto, actress: I realize that SARS is deadly, so now, I’m more protective of my family, but, more importantly, I have started to focus on my spirituality. I believe that it’s only through prayers and focusing on Jesus that we can be saved. To God, be the glory!
Sari Yap, editor-in-chief, Mega Magazine: People, especially my friends from Cebu, used to call me Sars for short. Now they don’t. Sometimes they tease me and say I’m an epidemic.
Marc Logan, TV personality: SARS has definitely given me the creeps. What happens if there’s shortage in masks or what if my favorite people get SARS? Worse, what if my cat starts coughing and forgets how to meow? My, that would be terrible! Anyway, I hope Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit will admit that we are not free from SARS, would set the record straight and would compel everybody to take the necessary precautions.
To Dr. Dayrit I have this to say: When the situation calls for seriousness please learn to pocket that ridiculous smile when you’re on cam.
Leo Martinez, comedian: So far so good, it hasn’t affected my life yet. I am just anxious to know what the cure is.
Senator Gringo Honasan: As a public official, SARS has raised my personal concerns about our system’s capacity to protect our people from health risks, especially the ones in the magnitude of this disease.
I am hoping that while resources are being poured into controlling this new menace, other diseases which are already causing havoc on people’s lives, especially the poor, will be addressed better and not ignored by the government.