Total number of SARS cases worldwide: 4,318 

Confirmed death toll: 258 

 Talk about a drop in the bucket.

 This is about equal to the number of people who 
die of old age in any given hour, or a days worth 
of traffic accidents. The common flu virus is 
actually far more contagious, and kills more 
people annually. To quote a recent AP story:

 "Flu deaths now average about 36,000 a year, up 
from 20,000 in previous estimates, the CDC said."
 
SARS is most commonly spread to people in direct, 
face to face contact with infected individuals. 
So far it's been medical workers who've have been 
struck the hardest by the virus.
 So, how many of us have caught a cold or the flu 
from opening a package? Just wash your hands 
after opening a package and you'll be fine.

 While it's a good idea for science to be 
studying it, and for us to take normal 
precuations like washing your hands regularly, 
SARS is hardly going to lay waste to the human 
race like some people seem to be predicting. Most 
of the fuss is just media scare tactics. (as if 
we didn't have enough to worry about) 
Check out www.cnn.com for the facts if you're 
really worried.

 Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to go 
re-read The Stand. ;)