The outbreak of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) in
several Asian countries has MSU's Office of Study Abroad
programs warning students that plans to study there could
change. However, there are two MSU students studying this
semester in Singapore and Hong Kong. MSU's Office of Study
Abroad Programs has been in contact with the students in high-
risk countries, giving them the option to come home. But even if
they wanted to, some key issues had to be addressed first. "At
this point, we're telling them to sit tight because new
information is constantly coming out everyday, and it's hard to
make a decision," said Kathleen Fairfax, MSU Study Abroad. As
that information is being delivered, staffers in local emergency
rooms admit it's difficult to diagnose SARS since there's
currently no diagnosing test, but they have a plan in place,
should they suspect a case of SARS. "We have a small quarantine
room, and healthcare workers will be wearing protective gear,
particularly a mask to act as a filter, which shou