Chinese People Face SARS with Calm, Reason

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, May 25, 2003

Chinese People Face SARS with Calm, Reason

When SARS cases reported in Beijing started decreasing, Xia Feng, a middle-aged travel agent, resumed his normal life and began running between the airport and his clients again.

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When SARS cases reported in Beijing started decreasing, Xia Feng, a middle-aged travel agent, resumed his normal life and began running between the airport and his clients again.

The sudden epidemic once took 90 percent of Xia's ticket business and increased the burden on his life. But he always held to the belief that the disaster would be overcome one day.

"We will have nothing to fear if we pull our efforts together, and we must face our lives bravely," said Xia, who shares this positive attitude with a large number of Chinese people.

The latest telephone poll of about 329 citizens in Beijing by apoll agency showed that compared with one week ago, the number of people thinking the SARS epidemic here was still "very serious" had reduced nearly 10 percentage points. About 95.4 percent thought SARS would only produce a short-term influence on their life.

The survey also indicated that nearly 70 percent of Beijing citizens have adopted a positive attitude toward SARS, an obvious increase from last week. But people's alertness to the disease wasnot reduced despite the decreased epidemic.

Chinese psychological health expert Meng Qinghua said more and more Chinese people have begun facing SARS calmly and rationally, which is helpful for fighting against it.

Li Xiulan, 47, a newspaper seller at a subway station in Beijing, said she worked all the time at her stall even during the peak of SARS cases.

"I did fear sometimes and even wanted to resign my job, but my increased knowledge about SARS prevention eased my worries gradually," she said. "I don't think SARS is horrible now, because I know how to protect myself well."

The once-empty streets of Beijing are now full of life again as more and more people go out of their homes for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

One of Beijing's largest department stores, Sogo, has recovered its usual boom, and the number of customers shopping there climbs by the day. Marketing Director Zheng Yi said that compared with the last week, the customers' choice has also returned to normal, rather than concentrating on disinfection goods.

Recently, the SARS hotlines in Beijing have become less active than before, and the daily calls have reduced from 10,000 to about 4,000.

More and more people chose to change their fear into an positive attitude towards the disaster. Morning exercise and various forms of sports practice have become a part of people's lives.

Experts from the municipal center of disease prevention and control say the calm and rational reaction of citizens facing SARSis caused by the transparent attitude of the municipal government, the reduced SARS cases and the efforts of the media. But experts warn people not to relax too much since SARS has not yet been controlled completely.

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