Sars in Retrospect
Dr Daniel Yeo was quick to refute Ms Elisia Yeo’s claims that the Sars crisis was overblown. Both have strong arguments to substantiate their stand on the issue: Ms Yeo was writing objectively based on her interviews with reliable sources; while Dr Yeo based his argument on his experience as a frontline warrior in the battle against Sars.
Sars is undeniably the major reason for the economic woes of affected countries; foreign investments and visitor numbers dwindled. But Ms Yeo was wrong to criticize WHO for blowing the crisis out of proportion. It’s worth noting that there’s still no known cure for Sars. Without strict regulations and stringent measures, together with constant reminders about the severity of the crisis, what other ways are there to curb the spread of the virus?
Dr Yeo was right to point out that those countries which complained most vociferously about travel advisories admittedly did so out of monetary concerns and not public health concerns. And what good is it to have a job when you no longer have a family to feed?
Ms Yeo commented that while an initial underplaying of the seriousness of the outbreak in Singapore boosted apprehension about the disease, it also instilled public confidence about how the situation was being controlled. However, she failed to note that every affected country downplayed the crisis too.
Singapore didn’t suffer from popular dissatisfaction like Hong Kong because Singapore implemented strict regulations and stringent measures which effectively contained the Sars crisis. The only way to boost public and investors’ confidence is by controlling the spread of the virus, not manipulating the free press.
It’s hard for Singaporeans living in a multicultural society to understand why the world prejudiced against Asians during the height of the Sars crisis. In the same way, it’s hard for Muslims to understand why the world relate terrorism to Islam.
Prejudice is not a unique experience of the Sars crisis. The only way we can fight prejudice of all kinds is through education and tolerance.
A carefully coordinated press briefing may save jobs in the short term, but it’ll not save lives.