Japanese fans of SARS

[Taro Toporific]

12 prefectures won't deal with SARS

Asia unable to mask Sars cost
Guardian, UK / April 22, 2003
It is with a guilty sigh that Yoshi Izumi admits his firm is doing rather well out of the virus that is terrifying millions of people in Asia and threatening the economies of several nations in the region. His company, Hakujuji, is in the face mask business...
...Former Bank of England economist Danny Gabay believes the infection could knock up to 1.6% off global GDP this year if it spreads further and at the same rate at which it has in Asia. Given that the IMF has pencilled in growth of just 3.2%, that would tip the global economy dangerously back towards recession. Reports last week that scientists have identified the disease ...
Even Mr Izumi of mask maker Hakujuji says that would be good news. "There is no doubt that Sars is a great business opportunity for us. But we hope that a cure is found soon. The disease is very worrying, and is ruining the lives even of many people who are not infected."

[ramchop]

If you catch SARS, flee to the third world

"We are only six weeks into it. There are a lot of people who went into intensive care and do not seem to be getting better and unfortunately a large number of them will die," Salter told reporters.

He said the mortality rate appeared to be higher in places with developed health services, such as Canada or Singapore - something he could not explain.