I've been thinking how easy it is in our culture to dismiss the seriousness of an illness by saying that it mostly affects 'the elderly'. (Not that you're doing that, Doug - it's just a comment in general). As I near the age of 50, I find it a bit squeamish that they are talking this week about the serious effect of SARS on 'the elderly', meaning a high risk (death rate of 50%)for those over 60. 60?!?! I used to think that the term elderly referred to people in their 80's and 90's. But even if the label was only referring to the most senior of senior citizens, I'd still think it was a pretty terrible way to have to suffer or die.

~b.w.