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Thinking of visiting Toronto, but afraid of SARS? It's true, the World Health Organisation has recently advised against visiting Toronto during the current SARS outbreak, but their agenda requires them to be overly cautious. After all, they want to make it virtually impossible for the disease to spread to another location. Their fear is that someone visiting Toronto might come in contact with someone who has the disease, perhaps by visiting one of the hospitals where people with SARS are treated, or by running into one of the very few people who break quarantine. If I was them, I would probably make the same recommendation. However, both of these scenarios are unlikely, and now that people appreciate the necessity of the quarantine, and now that the government is stepping in to help those affected by quarantine, we are having nearly 100% compliance. Health Canada has issued an advisory about the safety of visiting Toronto which says: "Health Canada continues to strongly endorse travel into and throughout the GTA as safe and encourages travellers to maintain their business and/or personal travel plans to the GTA." The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also continues to maintain that there is no need for travellers to postpone travel to Toronto, although visitors are advised to stay away from facilities where patients with SARS are being treated. There is no public health advice that suggests that conferences, meetings, naked events, Pride, or any other events in the Toronto area should be cancelled or postponed. The World Health Organization travel advisory against non-essential travel to Toronto has gotten a lot international attention. Ultimately, each traveller must make up their own mind. Both Health Canada and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control maintain there is no need for travellers to avoid visiting Toronto. If things get worse we'll let you know, but until then, feel free to join us! As for those who are in Toronto and want to attend our events, but are afraid of SARS, don't be afraid. Unless you've been in direct contact with someone who has it, you've got little to worry about. But to be extra safe, we ask those who have a fever or any contagious infection to refrain from attending our parties and events, and we ask those that do attend to wash their hands with soap when they arrive and when they leave. It's always been a good idea, but it is especially important now. |