Reflection: "SARS - What Have We Learned?"

  Media definitely should become more open and fast in informing the public with any outbreak of diseases. One of the main purposes of media is to share information. People nowadays are becoming more and more dependent on the new technologies that are speedily emerging.  Through these devices, people can know what has happened on the other side of the world. This is a good sign because it allows us to know the important things, such as the outbreak of diseases. If the media is not open but very secretive about them, people's health will be put into probable risks. By knowing the facts, people can take precaution on their own to minimize the damage.  For example, during the outbreak of SARS, Chinese health authorities have failed both to tackle its spread and to provide sufficient information to their counterparts in other countries about what is going on. This causes the wide spread of the disease. It even affects many countries across the ocean, such as the United States and Canada. In addition, the daily life of the majority of the Chinese citizens is significantly affected (especially the south). Speaking of my own experience, I was in the Southern China during the outbreak. I could vaguely recall that it was after quite a few cases had been found, the associated public health institutions started to take action to raise people's awareness. It might be a little late to control. Furthermore, the public health care institutions were not specific about what to do, so the public started to panic. The citizens did everything they could to be sanitized and reduce the chance of being affected. On the streets, almost everyone was wearing a surgical mask. Vinegar (claimed to have sanitizing effect) was always sold out in the supermarket. However, the truth was that SARS could only be spread by close contact with the patients instead of airborne particles, Therefore, the media should be more open and up-to-date about the spreading of any diseases. 

  If a country is withholding the information about the spreading of disease from the public, the WHO, along with other countries  should take action to pressure the government. There are a few possible ways to do that. First, people could start a parade around the embassy of that country. All the trade activities that present a probability should be forbidden. And everyone from that country is prohibited to enter. Also, the associated health organizations in the country should start to tell any information they know to the local communities, at the same time, they can speak up  for the public so that everyone could have access to the important information.  Furthermore, other countries can send doctors and scientists to the affected country to collect data and facts to inform the locals. In short, pressuring the government, taking action by the local associated health organizations and sending doctors and scientists to the country, is the three ways to cope with the situation where a country withholds information about the outbreak of disease from public.