S.B. Woo of 80-20 released facts abouit SARS Wednesday April 23:
(1) "There are only 39 cases of SARS in the US as of 4/22/03. None resulted in death. The thing to watch out for? NOT TO OVER- RREACT," Dr. Anthony Fauci siad yesterday on CNN. He is the Director of National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, NIH.
(2) Careless spreading of rumor can hurt a lot of people: A supporter wrote in: "As you might have heard that there were unfounded rumors circulating in the Internet about a Chinese restaurant owner in both Chinatowns of San Francisco and New York City that died of SARS and consequently the rumor called for people > to stay away from Chinatowns!! The business in both places have since suffered tremendously. The NYC's Chinatown has been hardest hit from 9/11 attacks, now this!! As an influential organization, I thought you should use your mass mailings to educate and to call attention to fellow citizens the unwarranted "boycott" of our own communities."
(3) Rumors on SARS may hurt you or your own business: What a shameful e-mail title: "PLEASE BE CAREFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SARS IN CHINATOWN,NYC" The person was later really embarrassed & repentant.
(4) "There is nothing to fear, except fear itself." -- F. D. Roosevelt. I, S. B. Woo, intend to eat in a restaurant in Chinatowns of big cities, anytime I have a chance.
(5) After 80-20's "Vigilance on SARS/spy ..." e-mail, The Asian American Journalist Association, AAJA, issued: SARS or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome is a respiratory illness that has been reported in Asia, North America, and Europe. Because of panic and in some cases backlash directed at Asians or Asian Americans. Journalists reporting on SARS are encouraged to keep up with factual reporting of cases and events and to exercise prudence in making references to this illness: SARS is no longer a "mystery" illness. .... Although SARS was first reported in some countries in Asia, this illness should never be referred to as an "Asian disease," in the same way that HIV/AIDS should not be called a "gay disease," or mad cow disease a "British disease." Some rumors have spread that Chinese restaurants in Asia and the United States are potential sources of SARS. Focusing on the facts - symptoms, risk factors, as well as known or probable cause of SARS will help dispel these rumors.