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Friends of the Fourth
District:
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) has become a worldwide
public health concern. Fortunately, Los Angeles County has only
eleven probable cases and none are life threatening. The Department
of Health Services is working diligently with community health
organizations, private hospitals and the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention to keep this virus from spreading. But the medical
response is only one side of this public health issue.
A second significant threat we face is the extreme fear the general
public has concerning SARS. Recent newspaper articles have reported
unfounded rumors about SARS throughout the County and anonymous
emails have started a relative panic in some neighborhoods. These
false rumors unnecessarily raise people’s anxiety level and harm our
local economy. This is especially true in the Asian and Pacific
American communities and businesses as well as the local travel and
tourist industry.
I have asked my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors to join me in
convening a Business and Health Advisory Task Force on SARS to
combat the rash of unfounded rumors regarding SARS throughout the
County. Its mission will be to develop a broad based effort to
accurately inform county residents about the virus, including how
they can protect themselves while avoiding false information and
overreaction. The task force will include representatives from
business, health, and media outlets. Asian and Pacific-American
representation from those sectors will be particularly strong. Other
relevant county organizations and local governments will also be
asked to participate.
DON KNABE
Supervisor, Fourth District
County of Los Angeles
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