Opinion

Snotty squirrels have no decency

Richard Lutz
Opinion Columnist

In a radical departure from my usual "hide in room" policy, I was outside Saturday enjoying the weather in Hermann Park when I heard a squirrel cough. Normally such a thing is unnoticeable, or at least unremarkable, but this time I was thrown into spasms of terror and ran around in circles for quite some time.

Why would I react like that, when coughs are so much less dangerous than knives? After all, the squirrels in Hermann Park donit stab in their spare time. The reason is simple: SARS.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome is the latest big arrival on the global infectious disease list. Its exact cause is unknown, although scientists suspect it is a virus from the same family as the common cold. Symptoms include high fevers, coughing, difficulty breathing, pneumonia-like x-ray results, headaches, muscle stiffness, loss of appetite, confusion, rashes, diarrhea and death. Donit panic yet, though ­ only about 3.6 percent of reported cases have been lethal so far.

SARS supposedly originated in southern China. China, Hong Kong and Singapore have some of the highest infection rates in the world. However, the United States has the third-highest rate with 115 reported SARS cases. It could come to an oak tree ­ or apartment building ­ near you.

The really important thing about any disease, though, is preventing its spread. Weire in luck here, because SARS is apparently less infectious than influenza and catching it is relatively easy to avoid. All it takes is common courtesy.

Iim sure youive seen them: squirrels who donit care about the health of others. They cough, hack, sneeze and generally spray their local airspace with little spittles and phlegm. They blow their noses and then offer to shake your hand. They turn the sink on and off without washing their hands, then rub their paws all over the door handle you were about to touch. Any squirrel that does this should be shot.

Well, not really. However, the key to avoiding SARS is avoiding close contact with infected people. Since the incubation period is two to seven days long, they may not know theyire infected, so the rule is "better safe than sorry."

One of the reasons China and Hong Kong have high infection rates is their high population density ­ close contact is unavoidable. Houston probably wonit see quarantines that cover entire city blocks, or thousands of people wearing surgical masks, but itis still a large city with many international travelers.

To avoid catching it yourself, you need good hygiene and good ventilation. Having good hygiene means washing your hands well at every opportunity, especially if youire about to eat. Be careful what you touch (I suggest using a paper towel to open public restroom doors). And for everybodyis sake, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Iive been unpleasantly sprayed often enough as it is without worrying about strange new viruses as well.

Having good ventilation means trying to open the window, then realize you canit because the building is air-conditioned and thus going outside to enjoy the open air. Well, enjoy it as soon as the rain stops next week.

Lutz, a senior English and German major, can be reached at drahcir_j@hotmail.com.