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Thoughtful remarks, and you're right. As the system is now, there is no way to maintain a defensive posture all the time. I don't know what measures would enable us to ratchet up in case of outbreak(s). I am concerned about being caught with my (N95) mask off and my scrubs down, so to speak.

One of the scenarios I imagined at the beginning of these threads was a person with a broken bone or appendicitis, coming down with SARS all unsuspected, while in the hospital for the more ordinary illness.

Now I see that in Canada, it's happened, the man died, healthcare workers were exposed and sickened, and other patients infected. Not reassuring. And some called us panic-mongers for our speculation...

I don't know what measures would enable us to ratchet up in case of outbreak(s).

I'm not in the medical profession so I can't say for certain. I would note that after 9/11 that the feds started stockpiling bio/chemical/medical gear and then palletized the material so as to be able to transport it to affected sites by military cargo planes. That wouldn't be out of the question. Surveying capabilities, by region, to deal with a SARS pandemic is doable. This would at least identify where investment in the infrastructure is critical. Even without SARS rearing its ugly head, the statistical occurence of pandemics suggests that we are overdue and if SARS goes away then what other bug is around the corner?

Given the role of viruses in nature, and given the total biomass available on the planet for a mutated virus to exploit, it is inevitable that we will be dealing with a massive problem, probably within most of our lifetimes.

Question:

Do the majority of SARS patients require ventilators and, if so, just masks or with trach tubes?

The Fall/Winter could see a return of SARS in pandemic proportions and I certainly hope that the supply of ventilators will be sufficient for such a situation.

It appears that SARS outbreaks in areas without sophisticated medical device availability would result in a vastly greater mortality rate than that experience so far!

First thing I did this morning was check out this thread, and I am impressed! This is what FR was like in the good old days, when we had reasonable discussions with one another, seeking good information, learning from one another!

To see the open minds here, even if coming from different points of view, checking their own preconceptions, then revising these in light of newer information, gives me hope for the world!

By the way, Judith Anne... We have found that we get better medical care from our small rural hospital then from the city hospital nearby. We are about half way out in the country between the two. The rural hospital responds more quickly to true emergencies, and has excellent connections to a much larger city hospital about 90 minutes away be ambulance. Less by helicopter!

Of course, then we are left with the unending battle with the insurance company about the bill. I am guessing that if there is a SARS outbreak, the rural hospital will be a better bet for treatment, but that is probably silly, as probably all the normal rules will go out the window.