SARS and Canada

[Laurajean1014]

Can anyone tell me how serious SARS is in Toronto, CANADA?

Our AAA Hockey team was planning a tourney trip to Toronto, but Hockey officials are thinking otherwise. We have over 400 families waiting to see what will happen. Can anyone give me an assestment of this syndrome and its impact?

Thanks, L

 

[Scratch42]

I live in Toronto, I see the reports every day on the news, I go to the malls, I've seen people wearing the masks.... I have not been affected by SARS.

It's just like the Norwalk Virus Outbreak, everybody was worried about it. Both have closed down hospitals, elective surgeries were cancelled, people are being quaratined so as not to spread the germs.

As of Friday, Health Officials were hopeful that they have contained the virus. It all started from someone contracting it from a recent trip to Asia.

They suggest, as with Norwalk, proper hygiene is the answer.
If you would like, I could update as new developments occur.

It's a call you have to make, but as far as I'm concerned, I'm not and I live here.

Scratch

 

[northernmouse]

Hi, Laurajean. This link may provide you with some additional information. If I were travelling to Toronto, I would not be concerned. However, everyone has to make their own choices.

http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20030404.wsarspackage0404/BNStory/Front

 

[nativetxn]

I only know what I've heard on the news.

My son used to travel to Toronto every year for hockey tournaments. We love going to Toronto. Very cosmopolitan and beautiful city.

 

[damo]

When is the tournament? Perhaps things will be more relaxed by then. It is scary but the risk to the public is still very low.

 

[Laurajean1014]

The tourney is either May 17 or June 14th. Can't remember. I'm not concerned but alot of families do not want to go. The teams are only 16 per, so we need all the families or most to participate. They are thinking of cancelling and doing something in Boston. We love Toronto. My son, 7yo, loved York University and the Ice Garden. Also, the Hockey hall of fame and Gretsky's!

Please keep me informed. Thank you.

 

[PamOKW]

Here's a link to the Toronto newspaper

Toronto Globe

At first, I was going to say that any city, Boston or Toronto, is more at risk for being the initial hot bed of this type of infection so it didn't matter. Now, having read that they really do have quite a few cases in Toronto, I don't blame the parents for raising some concern. If they can put off the decision for at least a week or two (longer if possible), we might have a better idea of how quickly and how dangerously this spreads. They may get a better grip on any concern for the public at large.

 

[Taryn]

Hi Laurajean1014,

I live in Toronto and of course have every interest in myself staying healthy and those around me, and visitors.

I also work for the nations public broadcaster in Canada on radio here in Toronto and knowing these people personally (our reporters and producers) feel their stories are the best information I could have. There is a press release by our Board of Health made available each day at 3pm EST and it is always covered by our staff and then made available to our newscasts and websites.

You can check this site at anytime and it will have the latest information we have been given... I admit I am biased... but I also believe in my co-workers...

http://www.cbc.ca/

It is a bit scary but I am not frightened as our public health officials appear to be doing everything possible to contain the illness. The facilities that persons that have even exibited possible symptoms of the illness in have been closed. Apart from breaking into them I think you will be very safe and welcome in our city.

Check the website above and hopefully we will be welcoming you to Toronto! I am good with restaurant recommendations also...

Oh my ... can you say run on sentence? Excuse all grammer and spelling... I can stand by my facts though...! *smile* It's late and I am about to lose an hour to daylight saving time!

Leanne

 

[CathyCanada]

I will vouch for Leanne's station being one of the, if not THE most reputable!

Also I read today in the newspaper that if they go 10 straight days without new cases, they declare the emergency over. I really think it will be gone by the time your tournament is on.

Here's hoping, anyway!!
CC

 

[epcotfan]

My mother is a nurse in a Toronto hospital and I'm not worried. Staff must have their temperature taken before being allowed in the building. She is fully gowned and goggled on her unit-and they don't even have any of the SARS patients! Visitors are not allowed either. Canada has been more proactive in containing this disease via quaranteen, etc...unlike Asia has. The media only reports the dramatic events of this disease and not the fact that people have had it, recovered and returned home. Most of the people that died already had compromised immune systems to begin with. The thing is the flu kills thousands every year and is equally as dangerous.
I've continued to go about my business and use public transportation without any problems.