SENTINEL WATCH May 26, 2003 Issue

Challenging assumptions

By Margaret Rogers

Protesting voices have been raised at China's apparent mishandling of the SARS contagion. Many have decried the rumors and overreaction that have fanned flames of fear of this disease around the world. My local San Francisco news media lament the impact on the city's Chinatown, shunned by skittish shoppers in the last few weeks.

When, I wonder, will we take a stand against fear itself? That's the question that came to mind when I saw an Associated Press photo of hundreds of people in surgical masks jamming a Beijing train station to get tickets to leave the city.

If I could embed a journalist to cover this stand against fear, I'd tap the Hebrew prophet who speaks in the Bible's book of Isaiah. To me, his words (especially as translated in King James English) ring with indignation that springs from deep love: "What have I here, saith the Lord, that my people is taken away for nought? They that rule over them make them to howl, saith the Lord; and my name continually every day is blasphemed. Therefore my people shall know my name" (Isa. 52:5, 6).