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economist sunsuntribune health saturday april 5 2003 sars not from any one ethnic group officials stress bymikeadler staff writer what was making jack denby afraid the retired man from bowmanville was not worried he might contact sars as he strolled through markville shopping centre tuesday but he was quite concerned about keeping an appointment later that day near kennedy road and eglinton avenue in scarborough c told him wed play with him as long as he doesnt get too close it is a very prone area for chinese he said as if chinese people were a source of the virus also this week a markham fifth grader said he and his friends were staying about one metre away from a chinese student at school because the boys mother went to hong kong during the march break we told him wed play with him as long as he doesnt get too close the fifth grader told his mother during a news conference on sars sheila basrur torontos medical officer of health said she had heard of chinese students fac ing stigmatization from some fel low students and teachers like dr basrur yorks acting medical officer of health dr hanif kassam this week stressed sars does not come from any ethnic or cultural group and such fears are entirely inappropriate there are more cases of the west nile virus in the united states than in canada dr kassam noted do we say americans are people we should stay away from he urged people to show humanity and compassion during the outbreak yorks catholic and public school boards maintain no inci dents of sarsrelated discrimina tion have been reported at schools but staff said they will be watchful as an educator i feel i need to be vigilant so students of one par ticular community are not made scapegoats of a situation that they are not responsible for gloria fung the public boards chinese community liaison wrote this week in a bulletin to schools a set of frequently asked ques tions on the separate boards web site states there is no medical rea son to keep people returning from asian destinations away from schools if they show no symptoms ofsars the risk of contracting sars from travelling to these areas remains very low it explained a few parents have asked the board why children who recently visited hong kong or other asian cities arent quarantined board spokesperson chris cable said adding some parents are keeping their children home out of con cern although it is impossible to know how many i think theres a bit ofhysteria happening as well its happening in certain areas more than others a staff member of east metro youth services which provides menial health support to chinese students at three markham high schools is helping students sepa rate facts about sars from rumour agency spokesperson leigh moore said yesterday i think theres a bit of hysteria happening as well ms fung said a worry for many students is the financial trouble sars is creating for their parents particularly restaurant workers who are getting less work because business is slow it makes for hardship for fami lies who can least afford it she said its not rocket science professional quality- lawn fertilizers reminder turn your clocks ahead 1 hour this saturday night srovtrigr 1 wltu talk to us instead call the canadian cancer societys toll free smokers helpline 18775135333 funded in part by the ministry of health and longterm care this message brought to you as a community service of the economist suntribune qd cwnj own fiine cuisine of qmtria spring dance saturday april 12 featuring our regular band the four stars no cover charge 198 main st unionville reservations recommended 9054772715 now serving ottawa and sudbury with great connections to north bay thunder bay and sault ste marie discover the convenience of toronto buttonville airport located at hwy 404 and 16th avenue choose from 6 flights daily to ottawa and 3 flights daily to sudbury starting april 7th take advantage of fares starting at just 99 one way free airport parking and collect aeroplan miles every trip youll love our same day return connections to north bay thunder bay and sault ste marie leaving toronto at 725 am and arriving back at 750 pm join millions of satisfied customers since 1963 mfc i cbearskinqirlines let the bear take you there call 905 4778035 or 18004652327 or book online at wwwbearskinairlinescom your travel agent can also tell you about all our great services aerobian