X-Message-Number: 21726
Date: Thu, 8 May 2003 12:21:06 -0700 (PDT)
From: Christine Gaspar <>
Subject: regarding WHO update

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Now for an update from my corner of the world.I have been involved directly in 
the battle against SARS since the week of March 5th, 2003. That is already 8 
weeks of working in an N95 mask, goggles, gown, gloves and at times face shield 
to boot. As many of you know, it is hard enough going one hour in such 
equipment. What I have to report is good though. I am not sick, my family and 
friends have remained SARS free, and no one in my department has come down with 
the increasingly deadly disease. In fact, crossed fingers aside, numbers of 
patients showing up at our door under the suspicion of SARS is decreasing. I 
concede that I am conducting a rather un-scientific study based on my own 
anecdotal experiences, but it seems like it is safe to say that this MIGHT be 
going away.It is not over yet, though. This particular outbreak in Toronto 
started by the infection and transmission of one family. Even if we eradicate 
all cases of SARS in Canada, it still exists in other parts of the world, and 
air travel to and from these countries continues. It potentially could start all
over again with just one more infected person, if we let our guard down.I do 
not know what this means. I do not know if I will be required to don this 
equipment for the rest of my career, or not. I am not sure if I will feel 
entirely safe when the day comes that our hospitals stand down their public 
emergency. When will it be really safe to stop wearing a mask in a hospital 
again? I have no idea.Now we have a new battle to fight...West Nile virus..Oh 
joy!Christine Gaspar
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