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SARS epidemic: Disease doesn't scare diplomats

Taipei-based diplomats said yesterday that they are taking precautions against the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), although the outbreak of the deadly flu-like disease has not affected their daily lives drastically.

"We haven't noticed any change in our daily life," said Michal Kral, the representative at the Czech Economic and Cultural Office.

"My elder daughter, who is going to turn 16, is attending school everyday. Now she is going out for a movie, while this evening I'll be attending a private party," the diplomat said yesterday afternoon.

Kral said his elder daughter, currently a student at the Taipei European School, has not had her school life disrupted in the wake of the disease.

In contrast, Nicaraguan ambassador Luis Wong said his two oldest children, currently studying at Shihtung Elementary School, have been barred from a regular Saturday sport event a the Taipei American School (TAS) twice last month. That's because TAS, seeking to prevent the spread of the disease, had banned outsiders from entering the campus.

But Wong said TAS has since adjusted its policy and asked outside participants, prior to their entry into the campus, to fill out a questionnaire. The form ask visitors to affirm that they do not have any symptoms of the disease and that they have not traveled to affected areas, including China and Hong Kong.

The Nicaraguan ambassador admitted that he's become increasingly cautious in the wake of the recent spread of the disease at Taipei Municipal Hoping Hospital and several schools.

Tomasz Nowacki, the director-general of the Warsaw Trade Office, said his daily life has not been affected by the epidemic.

"Until now, it has not affected my life," said Nowacki, adding that he has taken some precautions -- namely, avoiding crowded public areas.

Over at the Czech office, Kral said they had purchased some masks as a "preventive move" although none of his co-workers have worn the masks while working in the office.

"The disease is under control. We are not worried," said Ambassador Jacques Sawadogo from Burkina Faso. "My wife, my children and I ... Nobody wears the masks," Savadogo said.

Inbound and outbound travel, however, have been affected, some diplomats said.

Nowacki said Poland has an average of 1,000 visitors to Taiwan per year, and it's difficult to say whether the number of visitors from the Eastern European country to Taipei has dropped drastically in the wake of the outbreak of SARS here.

But Polish visa applications from Taiwanese people have dropped by 60 percent during the past two months, a sign of locals' dwindling willingness to embark on foreign travel, Nowacki said.

According to Brian McDonald, top representative of the European Commission, his wife has postponed her scheduled trip to Taiwan this week because of SARS.

"This is understandable. If you are not in the area, it's better not to travel to the region," said Nowacki of the McDonald family's deferred visit.

The ambassador from Burkina Faso and the Czech representative both lauded the government's moves to contain the outbreak of the disease.

"I don't have the feeling that somebody is covering up something. It's quite transparent," said Kral.
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