Compassion, information are antidote to fear: SARS outbreak points up need to assess risks

First, we need reliable and timely information about the true nature and extent of the risks we face. This would be helped by more effective communication and co-operation between health authorities and the churches. When a new disease enters the population we do not have complete information. This means that health authorities will need to err on the side of caution. However, the use of inaccurate or misleading information can have long-term negative consequences. To this day, I am aware of some people who will not shake hands with an HIV-infected person because of fear. In the recent outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the Chinese communities of Toronto were the ones who bore the brunt of an unreasoned fear that expressed itself often in racism, and resulted in disproportionate losses for Chinese businesses To eliminate ail these risks would be impossible. This reminds us that there are problems with the attempt of many in our society to seek risk-free lives. Human life is full of risks and the task is to be able to recognize those risks that need to be accepted, and those risks that need to be avoided. When the fear of risk grows out of bounds it becomes a prison that constrains our lives and a barrier to relationships with others.