[FITZ]

That's the other reason quarantines won't come close to working in this country. I don't live in your area ---but look at the Mexican border ---you would have no control over how the Mexican government handles SARS and it's unlikely they'd do much at all (look at TB, hepatitis, and the rest that are common over there) and we would have thousands coming daily unchecked over that border ---legally and illegally so where I live, quarantining me an American would be completely silly. Then there's the Canadian border which might not be as open but there is still a lot of traffic back and forth.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

That's the other reason quarantines won't come close to working in this country. I don't live in your area ---but look at the Mexican border ---you would have no control over how the Mexican government handles SARS and it's unlikely they'd do much at all (look at TB, hepatitis, and the rest that are common over there) and we would have thousands coming daily unchecked over that border ---legally and illegally so where I live, quarantining me an American would be completely silly. Then there's the Canadian border which might not be as open but there is still a lot of traffic back and forth.

Very well put. I posted something to this effect earlier and no one responded (they still don't get it). The port city of Mazatlan has massive traffic with China. Seems to me to be the first place to start check for influx of SARS. Illegal aliens WILL carry it up here. Time for travel lockdown. If not, a lot of people are going to die unnecessarily.

[twntaipan]

So how do you contain an infectious disease that has a mortality rate of 55% for those over 65 and spreads as well in hospitals as anywhere (maybe better)? Do you just wait til it has killed off the unfit, and the rest move on as if life is the same?

That may sound like hyperbole, but I am serious. How will you suggest SARS be contained?

[twntaipan]

Incidentally, the quarantines here are supplemented by checking the temperature of everyone entering any building with more than 100 people. It is a pain--but it doesn't mean everyone has to be quarantined. Those quarantined are those known to have been exposed.