[goldstategop]

We can be reasonably cautious. Figures from dictatorships like Vietnam and China are dubious. It may be they're hiding the true picture to look better to the world at large. That being said, I think at least its not looking like its spreading in a giant wave around the world. The outbreaks of SARS have been for reasons not entirely understood yet, pretty localized in its geographic appearance and duration.

[friendly]

Figures from dictatorships like Vietnam and China are dubious.

You got that right. SARS will cripple the Chinese economy, as it becomes endemic. Tourism? Hell, I won't even go to a Chinese restaurant.

[FreepForever]

I beg to disagree. I think that dictatorship should be better able to contain SARS than any other democratic governments. As we know, tyrants and dictators have the least respect for human lives and human rights. They can take draconian measure to prevent the decease from spreading. For example, they can shut in a hospital with army barricade and risk the medical care personnel. Do they really care whether they live or die? What they really care is to prevent the foreign press from reporting those unspeakable stories. Measures like this is never possible in free countries.