本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛東岸版-加國新聞 2003-04-10

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宣示不應因害怕肺炎歧視亞裔
克里靖今來華埠食唐餐

非典型肺炎疫情持續之際，總理克里靖周四計劃專程前往多倫多一家中國餐館用膳，藉以傳遞國民必須互相包容的信息。

總理的傳訊總監孟遜(JIM MUNSON)表示，克里靖親到唐人街亮相，為向加國人宣示，不應該由於害怕非典型肺炎這種疾病，因而歧視亞裔人士。

孟遜指出，國人必須謹記，加拿大是一個包容社會，非典型肺炎亦不是某個族裔特有的疾病，因此不可單獨針對任何一個社區。

克里靖周四早上先行出席於四月五日去世的多倫多大主教卡特(GERALD EMMETT CARTER)的喪禮，之後會到唐人街一家中國餐館享用午餐。總理辦公室並未透露他會光顧哪一家餐館。

一般相信非典型肺炎是從中國傳至加拿大，疫情擴散後已傳出一些針對族裔的言論。多倫多數位國會議員促請總理為亞裔社區做些姿態。

非典型肺炎恐慌下，多倫多華人購物區一帶街道慣常的熱鬧情景已不多見。亦有報道指亞裔加國孩子遭到同學友輩排斥，認為他們更有機會將疾病散播。

孟遜表示，總理在多倫多逗留多個小時，亦可顯示聯邦政府對於非典型肺炎疫情的關注。

克里靖上周在溫尼辟發言時向非典型肺炎死者家屬致哀，並承諾渥京將提供抵抗疾病所需的經費。

前財長馬田日前亦與多位本地商界領袖聯袂前往一家餃子店吃餃子，藉以顯示多倫多市中心十分安全。

但安省省長伊維斯自非典型肺炎爆發至今，仍未在華人社區出現過。更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net

本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛- "You have to be positive in this world. Why be nervous?"

Thursday, April 10, 2003
Woman may be first area SARS patient

By JOHN MINER, AND PATRICK MALONEY, Free Press Reporters


LISTOWEL -- The SARS outbreak moved a step closer to London yesterday with a woman being treated in Listowel as a suspected case.

It's Southwestern Ontario's first suspected case of SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, since the outbreak hit Ontario last month.

Health unit officials said the patient from Wellington County was part of a travel group that vacationed in an area in Asia affected by SARS.

Officials are trying to reach people who travelled with her, said Janice Walters of the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Health Unit.

"There are 25 contacts that we have information on and we are just in the process of letting all the parties know," she said.

The woman -- who was not publicly identified -- is not a senior and was in stable condition, said Margret Comack, chief executive officer of Listowel Memorial Hospital.

"When we first realized we had a patient with symptoms, we were a bit alarmed. We were surprised to think, here it is," said Comack.

The woman returned from Asia Sunday and was isolated in hospital Monday, Walters said.

SARS is suspected when a patient has a fever above 38 C, respiratory symptoms and either has had close contact with a probable SARS patient or has travelled within 10 days to an affected area.

Officials said yesterday the number of possible and suspected Ontario SARS cases rose to 195 from 190 the previous day.

Comack said the Listowel hospital is well equipped to handle a SARS outbreak.

All needed isolation procedures were taken when the patient arrived, she said.

"The risk to staff, other patients and the community is very low," Comack said.

If the patient's condition deteriorates, she may be transferred to another hospital, she said.

Cliff Nordal, president of St. Joseph's Health Care in London, confirmed the woman would be transferred if needed to St. Joe's Grosvenor Street facility, which has an isolation unit set up for SARS.

Walters said because the woman sought medical attention when she returned, the illness doesn't pose an increased public risk.

Dr. Bhagirath Singh, scientific director of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Infection and Immunity, agreed.

If proper isolation procedures were followed, the risk of the disease spreading will be low, he said.

But Singh said such cases raise the question whether there should be restrictions on travelling to SARS areas.

"This is a very touchy issue," he said.

Alice Fournier of Listowel said she was surprised to hear of the suspect SARS case, but wasn't worried.

"You have to be positive in this world. Why be nervous?" she said.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net