Meiying Qi
ESL 6
3/6/08
ESL 6
3/6/08
What is SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome)? It is the disease caused by a viral infection. Its symptoms are fever, headache, body ache, and the overall feeling of discomfort. If a person dies from SARS, it usually happens within three or four days. A SARS outbreak happened in China in November, 2002. It was so common that people talked about SARS every day. When I saw new infections were announced on TV every day in China, I was very worried about it. I was shocked when I saw over 660 people had died worldwide and nearly 8,000 were infected. My fear of SARS changed many aspects of my life.
First, SARS changed my personal hygiene with my family like never before. Before SARS I never wore a mask. However, I often wore a mask outside and even bought a lot of masks for my family after SARS. I loved parties, and I always went out with my friends. In contrast, I didn’t go to public places after SARS. I canceled some parties and travel plans for our family. I took a quick shower each day before SARS. On the other hand, I spent more time at home taking showers after SARS. I also washed my clothes and other things longer. I clearned my hands carefully before every meal, but before SARS, I washed them quickly.
Second, SARS changed the food which my family ate. Before SARS, we ate everything. We really liked to eat delicious wild duck and turkey. We also loved beef. Then, SARS came to China. We decided not to eat wild animals at all; none of us wanted to eat them because of the risk of getting SARS. We didn’t eat chickens because we were afraid of getting infected. I didn’t eat beef because we were afraid of getting mad cow disease. As a result, I ate more vegetables and fruit with my family, which turned out to be a healthy choice.
Third, SARS changed my health habits. I and my family took care of ourselves. We did even more after SARS. I bought some medicine like Banlangan and cold tea for my family. In the past, I opened windows occasionally, but after SARS I often opened windows to ventilate the rooms. While I used to always take a bus to work, after SARS I rode my bicycle or walked to work because I was afraid of the spread of the infection from other bus passengers.
In conclusion, SARS changed my personal hygiene, food, and health habits. At that time, I watched TV and listened to the radio, and I knew our central government was paying enough attention to the situation. I also saw that SARS was under control, and SARS patients had recovered and had left the hospital. Although SARS could be cured, we should keep the changes we made for our health so that we can increase our value of life.
Second, SARS changed the food which my family ate. Before SARS, we ate everything. We really liked to eat delicious wild duck and turkey. We also loved beef. Then, SARS came to China. We decided not to eat wild animals at all; none of us wanted to eat them because of the risk of getting SARS. We didn’t eat chickens because we were afraid of getting infected. I didn’t eat beef because we were afraid of getting mad cow disease. As a result, I ate more vegetables and fruit with my family, which turned out to be a healthy choice.
Third, SARS changed my health habits. I and my family took care of ourselves. We did even more after SARS. I bought some medicine like Banlangan and cold tea for my family. In the past, I opened windows occasionally, but after SARS I often opened windows to ventilate the rooms. While I used to always take a bus to work, after SARS I rode my bicycle or walked to work because I was afraid of the spread of the infection from other bus passengers.
In conclusion, SARS changed my personal hygiene, food, and health habits. At that time, I watched TV and listened to the radio, and I knew our central government was paying enough attention to the situation. I also saw that SARS was under control, and SARS patients had recovered and had left the hospital. Although SARS could be cured, we should keep the changes we made for our health so that we can increase our value of life.
2 comments:
MeiYing, what a cute photo of you! SARS was a big deal in the U.S. too and I remember all these photos of people with masks.
but in korea, there were a few of people hurt. Some resercher said that it is caused by Kimchi, which is Korean traditional food. I don't know well about kimchi to effect to Korean people but I did not wear mask in that period.
Post a Comment