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SARS in Asia, should I be scared?

 
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Theo Holloway



Joined: 31 Mar 2003
Posts: 3

PostPosted: Tue Apr 01, 2003 10:21 pm    Post subject: SARS in Asia, should I be scared? Reply with quote

I am currently working on obtaining my CELTA here in the US and I will be finished by the end of July. I was thinking about trying to teach in China or Japan, but after a visit to the doctor today, where he asked me about my upcoming plans, he let me know that he STRONGLY advised that I stay far away from Asia, at least until they know more about the disease. I was wondering if anyone teaching in Asia had any interactions, fears, or other thoughts on the disease. Is SARS something that should make me reevaluate my plans and look more closely at South America or Eastern Europe? Thanks.
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hagakuri



Joined: 03 Mar 2003
Posts: 84
Location: Nishi-Shinjuku JAPAN

PostPosted: Thu Apr 03, 2003 6:57 am    Post subject: Wait it out Reply with quote

Theo,

Since your plans do not call for you to travel until July, I would recommend you wait and see how WHO, World Health Organization, classifies it at that time. You may wish to reconsider Asia as your destination if there continues to be an increase of cases etc. But that is something that only you can decide on.

There are many things that the Western population would find intimidating in Asia, and virulent outbreaks is just one of them. If this notion makes you uneasy then choose a different destination.

Good luck.
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Theo Holloway



Joined: 31 Mar 2003
Posts: 3

PostPosted: Tue Apr 08, 2003 6:05 am    Post subject: Credibility??? Reply with quote

Scot and The Great Wall,

I'm sorry if you do not share in my concern, but I can only hope that both of you are educated enough to know the severity of a disease that does not have a cure. I am not OCD (that's Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in case you don't know) or anything, but I do fear catching something which has little known about it. If I have offended either of you in my quest to learn more about the disease, then I apologize. Seeing how you are such "adventurous" people I'd be currious to know where you are teaching. Hopefully, at least one of you has enough credibility to hold the opinion that you do (i.e. living in Africa and dealing with Ebola).

-Theo
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scot47



Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343

PostPosted: Tue Apr 08, 2003 10:19 am    Post subject: risk Reply with quote

Living is about dealing with risks on a daily basis. If you worried about everything you would never leave Kansas (or wherever home is). Do you worry about everything ? Then you will end up like Howard Hughes, living in a sterlile environment surrounded by bodyguards. I will take my chances in the real world. And yes I have taught in Africa. Not now because there are hardly any jobs there. I still teach in an area where there are real health hazards. (The Middle East where there is something strange every Haj season.)

Listen to that great King and Philosopher, Frederick the Great :" You dogs, do you want to live for ever ?" (Hunde, wollt Ihr ewig leben ?)
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The Great Wall of Whiner



Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Posts: 4946
Location: Blabbing

PostPosted: Fri Apr 11, 2003 5:10 am    Post subject: Re: Credibility??? Reply with quote

Theo Holloway wrote:
Scot and The Great Wall,

I'm sorry if you do not share in my concern, but I can only hope that both of you are educated enough to know the severity of a disease that does not have a cure. I am not OCD (that's Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in case you don't know) or anything, but I do fear catching something which has little known about it. If I have offended either of you in my quest to learn more about the disease, then I apologize. Seeing how you are such "adventurous" people I'd be currious to know where you are teaching. Hopefully, at least one of you has enough credibility to hold the opinion that you do (i.e. living in Africa and dealing with Ebola).

-Theo


I'm not offended, just wondering why you are scared of SARS more than ebola or AIDS?

No cures for them either...
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scot47



Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343

PostPosted: Fri Apr 11, 2003 8:23 am    Post subject: disease Reply with quote

There is no cure for old age either.
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David Bowles



Joined: 30 Jan 2003
Posts: 249

PostPosted: Fri Apr 18, 2003 11:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I can understand the concern about it- right now it would probably be a little extreme not to go, but it's possible for this thing to get properly nasty. Wait and see is probably the best advice- there's enough demand in China to allow you to go on quite a short-term basis.
Of course, it's worth pointing out that this thing is in the news because it's going all round the world. God only knows how many epidemics in China the Party has denied the existence of in the past 50 years...
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MoggIntellect



Joined: 04 Apr 2003
Posts: 173
Location: Chengdu, P.R.China

PostPosted: Fri Apr 18, 2003 1:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Theo,

It appears as though you have more to worry from condescending colleagues than you do from disease. Apparently your lack of experience ranks you beneath them. My only wonder is if they shower their family members with equal amounts of sarcasm and ridicule whenever they show the slightest sign of timidity. I guess the one thing experience doesn't teach you is tact.
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johnslat



Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

PostPosted: Sat Apr 19, 2003 7:32 am    Post subject: Cure all Reply with quote

Dear scot47,
" There is no cure for old age either."
Sure there is - it's called death. So, when being old becomes to burdensome to bear, why just walk outside. The falling sky will do the rest.
Regards,
John
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Mr. Kalgukshi
Mod Team
Mod Team


Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Posts: 6613
Location: Need to know basis only.

PostPosted: Sat Apr 19, 2003 12:44 pm    Post subject: Helpful Responses Reply with quote

Helpful and civil responses only, please. Mean spirited and offensive comments will be deleted (as several have) and the thread will be locked.

As info, Hong Kong authorites report 12 people died from SARS today. The gentleman asked a very timely question and deserves something better than venomous responses.
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MyTurnNow



Joined: 19 Mar 2003
Posts: 860
Location: Outer Shanghai

PostPosted: Sat Apr 26, 2003 4:51 pm    Post subject: From Inside China Reply with quote

Hi!
I'm visiting from my usual haunts in the China forum.

I've been here in China a good while. I can't recommend that anyone come here right now. As it looks right now there isn't all that much of a chance of you catching this disease, but the reaction to it is inescapable and almost as bad.

Schools are quarantining themselves...some teachers are virtual prisoners of their campuses or even their school buildings, with no one allowed in or out- even parents. Many more of us have been asked or forbidden to travel outside of town. Violators may not be let back in ever, or may be held in quarantine for a period of 1-3 weeks before being released. Some teachers are requred to let their temperature be taken twice a day. New arrivals to some towns are escorted directly to quarantine quarters. Some places- from university campuses to public bathhouses, have guards out front asking for ID to make sure you are local. Classrooms, elevators, and other public places are being bombarded with chemicals to try and kill the virus...whether this makes any sense or not. Beijing is becomming especially tense, with panic food buying, travel restrictions, and general fear being reported.

Conditions vary from place to place. Life is still somewhat normal in my own city. Most of us here are coping and not bolting for the exits. But weve had some time to adjust to this place...don't add all this weirdness to an already challenging level of culture shock. Wait a while before coming here.

MT
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scot47



Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343

PostPosted: Tue Apr 29, 2003 6:24 am    Post subject: SARS Reply with quote

Looks like the authorities in Peking are taking it seriously now. Maybe you were right to be concerned.

(And, no, I will NOT call it Beijing !)
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Glenski



Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

PostPosted: Tue Apr 29, 2003 8:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Theo,

May I ask what is it about China and Japan that attracts you? I live in Japan and may be able to provide some advice.
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chi-chi



Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 127
Location: Back in Asia!

PostPosted: Fri May 16, 2003 6:48 am    Post subject: Re: From Inside China Reply with quote

MyTurnNow wrote:
Hi!
...don't add all this weirdness to an already challenging level of culture shock. Wait a while before coming here.

MT


Exactly.
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