SARS Leaving Emotional Scars
A gas main explosion, caused by a late night backhoe miscalculation on a construction site, killed at least six at a strip mall in west end Toronto last night. So far, 19 have died of SARS, most of whom have contracted the virus in hospital settings. While SARS is clearly a public health issue, we're all feeling a bit misunderstood here in Pariah Town. Facts are being ignored. Standard and Poor's just downgraded the credit rating of the Greater Toronto Airport Authority, citing SARS as a reason. Trips are being cancelled. Asian-owned businesses are seeing business drop 60% or worse.
My civic duty, therefore, has compelled me to deviate from the usual topic of this weblog to say: please come and visit us here in Toronto. The flowers are blooming, the air is clean, and you might even get a discount in one of our fine hotels. You're more likely to die in a gas main explosion or auto accident than you are to come down with a case of SARS.
Need I remind you of all of the great things Toronto has given to the world?
I guess I can actually muster up an Internet marketing angle to this story. A certain "Internet Marketing Conference" which shall remain nameless has a pop-up ad on its web site stating, in part:
"No SARS in Montreal - Travelers, please note: while several SARS cases have been reported in Toronto, as well as other major North American cities, there are no reported cases of SARS in Montreal."
Just when we needed a lifeline and a dose of compassion, our pals from the other end of Highway 401 give us an oar to the face. Probably just resentful that the feds have promised some SARS-economic-fallout-relief monies to Toronto, money which might have otherwise gone to buy votes from Montrealers. All kidding aside, though, that pop-up was a pretty cynical way of trying to sell a few conference registrations. If this is someone's idea of marketing, perhaps this is one marketing conference you don't need or want to attend.
Posted by Andrew Goodman
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