[Bluewave]

I agree that US hospitals are not prepared for even a mild and limited outbreak of SARS. I made some guesses a few weeks back that there are approximately 20,000 vacant intensive care beds available and not all of those beds have negative airflow systems.

There is also the fact that health care workers are among the first disabled by the disease and personnel shortages will be evident in an already stressed system.

I've been working on my own home health care plan and I think if I were really scared and serious, I would buy a home ventilator and an oxygen generator. I haven't done so because of the cost and my optimistic hope that the disease can be contained.

I hove toyed with a plan for self isolation if necessary and have the infection control products that I think might be needed to keep us from spreading the virus to others.

I do not expect the hospitals to do much once the disease spreads in the community.

We are seeing a 15% mortality rate with the best medicine has to offer. I wonder what the mortality rate will be for self care?

[Judith Anne]

Home ventilation on a respirator is not possible. Using oxygen with a face mask might be, with a doctor's help...user would need to be trained, special equipment (masks, lines) provided.

Of course, in a worst case scenario, who knows what will happen?