Toronto Attacks WHO Travel Ban
fox1
Apr 24, 2003
Toronto has reacted angrily to the travel ban advised by the World Health Organization because of fears over the SARS virus.
Both the Mayor and the health chief of the Canadian city have urged the WHO to re-think its decision on non-essential travel.
"This isn't a city in the grip of fear and panic," said Mayor Mel Lastman. "This is a city of 2.5 million people who are going about their
business the same way they always did. Let me be clear; it's safe to live in Toronto, and it's safe to visit Toronto."
He was backed by the city's Medical Officer of Health. "In my opinion, the facts do not warrant a travel advisory at this time," said Dr
Sheela Basrur. "To categorize Toronto with Beijing and other parts of China is a gross misrepresentation of the facts.
"In Toronto, SARS is primarily a disease of health care workers and has occurred largely in hospital settings. The disease has not spread in
community settings and that is very good news for the city and for those travelers, visitors and business people who are considering whether
or not they should come to Toronto."
After Wednesday's new WHO advisories, emergency measures taken in Beijing have seen a major hospital quarantined after four more people died
from the severe acute respiratory syndrome illness. The Chinese capital, together with Shanxi Province, has joined Toronto on the WHO
warning list.
The authorities have isolated the city's Peking University hospital because of SARS infections. Staff and patients are forbidden to leave
and no-one is allowed to enter the 1,200-bed facility.
The government has also closed all schools for two weeks in an effort to contain the spread of the disease.
China, which has come under fierce criticism for failing to reveal the extent of the SARS problem, now says that the number of confirmed
cases in the country has passed 2,400. The virus has caused more than 250 deaths worldwide. They include 110 in mainland China, 109 in Hong
Kong and 16 in Canada.
Airlines have suffered badly from the SARS effect, particularly in Asia, where demand has fallen alarmingly. Air travel is suspected of
being a major factor in spreading the illness.
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific has canceled 42 percent of its scheduled flights and is reported to be considering cutting its dividend as
its financial problems grow.
•
Roy Millar
>"In Toronto, SARS is primarily a disease of health care workers and has occurred largely in hospital settings. The disease has not spread in
>community settings and that is very good news for the city and for those travelers, visitors and business people who are considering whether
>or not they should come to Toronto."
Vancouver has a large immigrant Chinese population, many of whom moved
there when they became worried about the transfer of Hong Kong back to
China. They must also be worrying, though last I heard there hadn't
so far been much of a problem.
>Airlines have suffered badly from the SARS effect, particularly in Asia, where demand has fallen alarmingly. Air travel is suspected of
>being a major factor in spreading the illness.
>Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific has canceled 42 percent of its scheduled flights and is reported to be considering cutting its dividend as
>its financial problems grow.
The airlines will all suffer. I wonder: does anyone stand to gain ?
(having become exceedingly cynical of late).
--
Roy Millar, spa...@Millstream.ednet.co.uk Use m o u l i n e t @