By now, the acronym SARS is well known throughout the country and around the world. The deadly pneumonia-like disease has become a daily news item, sadly, each day bringing new cases and new fatalities in Asian countries and elsewhere. In addition, the disease has crippled the tourism industries and consequently, whole economies of several Asian countries.
The University of California, too, has felt the brunt of the outbreak. Students were recalled from study abroad programs, numerous trips have been cancelled and even some foreign students have been prevented from enrolling. This minor upheaval at the collegiate level does not hold a candle to the constant fear and paranoia that must be infiltrating Asian nations and even heavily Asian communities outside of the continent. Amidst the tense atmosphere, the situation shows a variety of problems with society that have little to do with disease and medicine. Besides showing the vulnerability of populations to mysterious diseases, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome outbreak is a case study of human ineptitude, paranoia and insensitivity.
It is no secret that the spread of SARS was aided by the stubbornness and blunder of the Chinese government. As a result of its denial of a visibly potentially dangerous problem, SARS was not nearly as contained as it could have been. The disease is believed to have originated from the Chinese province Guangdong as early as November 2002, but government officials downplayed or covered up the increasing number of cases as to not sully the country’s image. Even recently, CNN reported Chinese censorship of its coverage, criticizing the government’s cover-ups and improper handling that may have exacerbated the outbreak in Asia. Human error, pride in the form of saving face in an arguably still-backward country and continued denial depict the problems of China’s government — one that is already known for oppression, human rights violations and other less than savory allegations. A country supposedly on track to become a superpower is still being hindered by its own mistakes.
Within both the epicenter and the outskirts of the epidemic, paranoia has continually manifested itself. News agencies routinely report increasing quarantines in outbreak areas — CNN even posted pictures of empty public venues in Beijing as a result of the mass quarantines. However, even here in the United States, SARS has permeated mindsets. The Los Angeles Times reported that, within Asian communities such as Chinatown, any hint of even a minor cold from an Asian person has caused bystanders to edge away. And it even seems natural to become a bit wary when a friend fresh from Singapore or Hong Kong feels unwell. The resultant catch-22 puts the masses in a tough position. While it’s perfectly rational to flinch when a person of Asian descent, recently arrived or not, so much as sneezes, it’s also quite unreasonable to eye every Asian with suspicion. After all, documented cases within the United States are still few, especially compared with overseas figures. In addition, the World Health Organization has expressed hope in the increasingly favorable conditions in Canada and other places. Like any possibly panic-inducing situation, the SARS outbreak is ripe for accusations and injustices in the midst of paranoia.
If paranoia is somewhat justified, and if cover-ups and poor handling are unfortunate but understandable, insensitivity is pretty much inexcusable. Yet how many times have SARS jokes and comments been exchanged by humor-searching friends? Of course, even deadly diseases aren’t immune from the verbal darts of Leno and Letterman. However, at the civilian level, continued jabs at humor regarding SARS hardly contribute to a mirthful atmosphere. Perhaps, I am too stiff in my idea of enjoyable rapport, but even discounting the distasteful value of SARS jokes, how is it funny making light of a disease? In Asian countries where whole cities are shut down and economies suffer, not to mention the increasing number of deaths, joking about such a thing could not possibly conjure a smile. It seems as if getting SARS would even be a fun event here. “”Oh, you’re sick? Maybe you have SARS!”” has been heard more than enough.
Of course, amidst tense and paranoid times, an injection of situation-related humor can be understood, but is not at all necessary. SARS jokes sometimes seem to have almost become a daily excuse for a silence breaker or conversation insertion. If anything, it is disappointing to hear people fling around SARS like a catch phrase. Nobody is going to make fun of a cancer patient by gossiping about her chemotherapy-thinned hair. SARS victims would probably not appreciate momentary amusement at their expense either.
The SARS situation sprung onto the world scene so suddenly and quickly it awakened our fears that have been conjured throughout the ages by the Black Plague, smallpox and even influenza. Unfortunately, it has also revealed flaws of people and society that come forth only when such a situation occurs. SARS, while by no means completely under control, looks to be at least marginally manageable as some countries report successful containment. Still, society has on its hands internal dilemmas on a separate level that cannot be remedied by any vaccine.
