Beijing

[Guest guest]

Here's a brief report from what currently

feels like the center of a cyclone in Beijing.

The city is in the grips of mass hysteria.

When summarizing the impact of SARS, this

set of dynamics ought not be overlooked.

 

Compared to many other conditions, SARS

has proven to date to be a fairly modest

killer. Yet it is one of the most effective

agents of chaos I've ever witnessed.

 

As noted elsewhere, many of those who

succumb to this disease die from various

co-morbid conditions, some of which are

apparently iatrogenic, i.e., responses

to the medications administered.

 

Very curious phenomena.

 

Last weekend the government cancelled

the annual May Day holiday. By week's

end, virtually all offices in the city

had closed. People are hoarding food

and trying to prepare for what day by

day begins to feel like the entire

city being placed under quarantine.

 

Hospitals are taxed beyond their capacities.

 

And, naturally, rumors are flying.

 

I heard from a colleague in Vienna

recently that some European researchers

are exploring the link between this

" mutated coronavirus " that has been identified

as " the SARS virus " and some genetic engineering

experiments related to pigs.

 

Anyone have any insight on that?

 

Too bad not more of you are interested in

magic, we could use some magic here in

Beijing right about now.

 

Ken