UPDATE 5-6-2003: A new study just released by Lancet, shows that the death rate is hitting 20% in Hong Kong and 15% in Canada with patients that have come down with the SARS virus. The death rate is higher for those over 60 with the virus. This percentage death rate is higher than the worldwide flu epidemic in the 1920's that killed millions worldwide. The study now confirms the incubation could be 14 days from being exposed to the virus before one becomes ill. The World Health Organization is considering changing their recommendation to quarantine people from 10 days to 21 days.

In the United States, as of May 1, 2003, there are now 237 suspected cases and 54 probable cases.

Let's look at the timeline of when and where SARS first began.

Nov. 16, 2002 -- The first case of an atypical pneumonia is reported in the Guangdong province in southern China.

Here are the breakdowns by country and states within the United States reporting cases:

LOCATION: COUNTRY: Australia	Number of Probable Cases 4	Number of Deaths 0
Brazil	2	0
Bulgaria	1	0
Canada	149	22
China	3971	190
France	5	0
Germany	7	0
Hong Kong	1621	179
India	1	0
Indonesia	2	0
Ireland	1	0
Italy	9	0
Japan	2	0
Kuwait	1	0
Macao	1	0
Malaysia	6	2
Mongolia	8	0
New Zealand	1	0
Philippines	3	2
Poland	1	0
Romania	1	0
Singapore	203	24
South Africa	1	0
South Korea	1	0
Spain	1	0
Sweden	3	0
Switzerland	1	0
Taiwan	100	8
Thailand	8	2
United Kingdom	7	0
United States	54*	0
Vietnam	63	5
Total	6,234	435

LOCATION: U.S. State:	Number of Suspected Cases	Number of Probable Cases
ALABAMA	1	0
ARIZONA	1	0
ARKANSAS	1	0
CALIFORNIA	37	21
COLORADO	8	3
CONNECTICUT	6	2
FLORIDA	15	2
GEORGIA	4	1
HAWAII	4	2
ILLINOIS	13	0
INDIANA	1	0
KANSAS	2	3
KENTUCKY	2	1
MAINE	2	0
MARYLAND	3	0
MASSACHUSETTS	15	2
MICHIGAN	3	0
MINNESOTA	7	1
MISSISSIPPI	1	1
MISSOURI	2	0
NEVADA	2	0
NEW HAMPSHIRE	1	0
NEW JERSEY	3	1
NEW MEXICO	0	1
NEW YORK	28	5
NOTH CAROLINA	8	0
OHIO	11	1
OREGON	1	0
PENNSYLVANIA	10	1
RHODE ISLAND	1	0
SOUTH CAROLINA	2	0
SOUTH DAKOTA	1	0
TEXAS	7	0
UTAH	4	1
VERMONT	2	0
VIRGINIA	5	0
WASHINGTON	20	2
WISCONSIN	1	0
Total	237	54

There is no SARS treatment or vaccine in sight. U.S. officials are quietly preparing for a worst-case scenario. These plans include isolation of suspected patients and quarantine of their contacts.

A panel of a dozen SARS experts met recently at Atlanta's Emory University to discuss the world's latest epidemic. All of the scientists -- nearly all from the CDC -- are working on a different aspect of the disease. The title of the program: "The Global Emergence of SARS: Quarantine Today, Vaccine Tomorrow?"

At the conclusion of the three-hour program, an audience member asked the most important question: What's going to happen? The audience turned to James Hughes, MD, director of the CDC's National Center for Infectious Diseases.

His answer, "That is the $64,000 question, I think the jury is still out on what is going to happen in the next couple of months, let alone the next couple of years."

It would be a blessing if SARS would just fade away as warmer weather hopefully will kill it. It's happened with other diseases. Flu, for example dies out in warmer weather. But that may not happen with SARS. There is fear already by leading researchers that since it is mutating at an alarming rate this will not occur, only make the disease mankind's worst fear.

What will have to take place to get this under control? Sadly, part of that response may be quarantine. It's the oldest known public health measure. It means keeping people who have been exposed to a disease separate from people who have not been exposed. President Bush recently added SARS to the short list of diseases for which U.S. citizens can be quarantined -- by force, if necessary. In this instance I agree with such measures as long as civil liberties are not done away with.

Dr. Marty Cetron, MD, deputy director of the CDC's quarantine division, says, " Luck and hard work by public health officials have kept SARS from spreading in the U.S. But he warns that we are just one "super spreader" away from this."

Toronto is a wakeup call to us here in the United States just how fast this deadly virus can spread.

What do we need to be ready for? States and other public health partners need to think about how to implement isolation and quarantine procedures in the U.S. What about residential care facilities, hospital care facilities, the different levels of care needed? How can this be accomplished in cities with large numbers of apartment dwellers? Those are the questions that immediate answers need to be found in my opinion to stop this deadly virus in its tracks.

In the meantime, what can we possibly do to keep the immune system working at its' optimum peak? Eat correctly, get enough sleep. Even if one has a minor cold, and especially the flu, stay home. Don't go to work and spread the germs. Did you know that according to one study that nearly 65% of all colds are spread by people going to work. The problem today why so many strains of bacteria, staph and strep are anti-biotic resistant is that anti-biotics have been overly prescribed and used by people who only had a either the flu or cold virus.

One of the main culprits in spreading the cold virus are telephones. Ever wonder who coughed on that pay phone you may use also? Toys in child day care centers are another source. Check with your child day care center and ask how often the toys are washed and disinfected. They should be done daily. Children and infants slobber all over the toys they play with. In Japan, children, starting at the age of 2 are taught in child care to wash their hands frequently. Something that parents here in the United States should stress with their children. I don't know how many times I have been in a public restroom and have seen children use the bathroom and just walk out without washing their hands.

Another thing that I suggest is taking additional vitamins and minerals, not just any vitamin or mineral, but minerals that also have trace element minerals. Trace element minerals boost the immune system. Natural Killer Cells are the first line of defense in attacking bacteria and viruses in the body.

"We Are What We Eat", I have said that for years. Make sure your diet is wholesome. Stay away from food containing hydrogenated oils and artificial sweeteners like Equal or Aspartame.

There are additional supplements one can take to guard against SARS. A Dr. Allan Spreen, M.D. at this SITE lists supplements that can naturally guard against SARS. It is worth reading.

I'm closing this column with a story about an American citizen who recently got first hand experience of how our rights have been severely torn away by the Patriot Act.

Jason Halperin, a United States citizen lives in New York City and works at Doctors Without Borders. This is an non-profit organization that provides medical care to people in countries that have hardly have no medical care available.

On March 20th, Dr. Halperin, along with a friend stopped at an Indian restaurant in New York just off Times Square for dinner. Suddenly, agents from the INS and New York City Police department, working under the directive of the Homeland Security Department and the Patriot Act rushed into the restaurant, forcing everyone to the back of the restaurant. Dr. Halperin's friend made a comment to one of the police officers, "You have no right to hold us."

The police officer replied, "Yes, we have every right. You are being held under the Patriot Act following suspicion under an internal Homeland Security investigation." The friend stated he wanted to call his attorney. The police officer informed him that he did not have the right to a lawyer, that they would be brought down to the station and await security clearance before being granted one. When Dr. Halperin's friend asked," How long will that take?" The police officer replied with a coy smile, "Maybe a day, maybe a week, maybe a month." As they continued to press for legal counsel, a female officer who had been busy typing on her laptop in the front of the restaurant, walked over and put her finger in Dr. Halperin's face and shouted at him. "We are at war, we are at war and this is for your safety," she exclaimed. As she walked away from the table, she continued to repeat it to herself? "We are at war, we are at war? How can they not understand this." Dr. Halperin and his friend were held well over two hours before being released. There was no reason that Dr. Halperin should have done through this. Neither did they receive any apologies from any law enforcement agency for this flagrant abuse of their civil liberties.

My fellow Americans, this causes me great concern that an act passed by our elected representatives has stripped us of our Constitutional Rights. And as I understand, before Congress right now, is what is called the Patriot Act 2. It will take even more of our civil liberties away. I urge you to contact your elected representative and repeal the Patriot Act immediately. Unlawful search and seizure of persons without right to legal counsel is against our Constitution. Be very careful my fellow Americans, this is exactly how the SS in Nazi Germany gained control of the masses. The rights of the German people were taken away from them. If you do not believe me, then watch the upcoming television movie,HITLER, The Rise Of Evil, on CBS Television, May 18th. Did you know that the Nazis had a Homeland Security Department also?

The USA PATRIOT Act was signed into law on Oct. 26, 2001. For months, Congressional legislative and committee staff have anticipated follow-up legislation. The Administration consistently indicated that, although many ideas were being considered, specific proposals weren't ready to be shared with Congress.  However, on Friday, Feb. 7, 2003, the non-partisan Center for Public Integrity (CPI) posted on its website a copy of a confidential draft of proposed legislation dated Jan. 9, 2003, entitled the "Domestic Security Enhancement Act of 2003," together with a "control sheet" which appears to show that the confidential draft had been transmitted on Jan. 10, 2003, to House Speaker Hastert (IL) and Vice-President Cheney (presumably in his capacity as President of the Senate). Availability of the document was publicized by Bill Moyers on his Feb. 7, 2003, PBS TV program, "Now with Bill Moyers," when Mr. Moyers interviewed Charles Lewis, the head of CPI. The Justice Department did not dispute the authenticity of the draft, although it denied that Rep. Hastert or Vice-Pres. Cheney had been sent the document.

The proposed law would radically expand law enforcement and intelligence gathering authority; reduce or eliminate judicial oversight over certain surveillance; authorize secret arrests, detentions, and grand jury subpoenas; create a DNA database of individuals who are suspected of association with terrorism or terrorist groups; create new death penalty provisions; and empower the government to remove American citizenship from persons who belong to or support disfavored political groups.

Some highlights of the proposed Patriot Act 2:

Increases secret surveillance.  The proposed act would create broad new powers of surveillance by the Administration, broadening the definitions of who can be secretly watched, the certification that the Administration must make to receive a warrant, and the circumstances in which the Administration can conduct surveillance without a warrant. It would terminate or alter consent decrees set up to curb illegal surveillance by local law enforcement authorities.

Increases control over immigrants.  The proposed act would expand the control of the Justice Department over immigration matters, including expedited deportation. It would criminalize many regulatory violations and remove judicial discretion from some immigration rulings.

Establishes new crimes, criminal procedures, and sanctions.  The proposed act would create new crimes, criminal procedures, and punishments relating to non-violent activities that could be linked to terrorism or groups deemed to be "terrorist groups" by the Administration. It would give the Justice Department new powers concerning certification of evidence, submission of secret evidence, and mandatory pretrial detention. It would permit surveillance of the content of home computers and multi-use handheld devices, and would permit surveillance of banking and credit accounts. It would expand the Justice Department's subpoena power to include "administrative subpoenas," issued without judicial oversight. It would increase the government's control over banking activities and further enhance money laundering provisions. It would make even standard encryption of Internet and e-mail messages an enhancement to other felonies.

Names new death penalty crimes.  The proposed law would provide for imposition of the death penalty for certain terrorism-related crimes.

Grants right to autopsy.  The proposed act would give federal officials power to order an autopsy without permission during a federal criminal investigation if the death occurred from terrorist attack or "other deadly crimes."

Decreases access to public information.  The proposed act would restrict public Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) access to public information about those detained during terrorism investigations. It would restrict available public information about potential pollution by private chemical businesses, curtailing environmental and local government oversight. The proposed act would also prohibit disclosure of information by witnesses and others subpoenaed in terrorism cases, transforming these investigations from public to secret.

Establishes a new terrorist-related DNA database.  The proposed act would create a DNA database under Justice Department control. Anyone the Administration suspects of association with terrorism would be forced to contribute DNA samples. Any "reasonably necessary" means could be used to get the samples, and failure to comply would bear criminal penalties. The DNA database information could be shared with state and local law enforcement agencies.

Alters procedure for taking away U.S. citizenship.  The proposed act would allow the government to strip a citizen of his or her citizenship by government inference of intent to relinquish citizenship, inference rising from behavior including fighting with a hostile foreign government or terrorist organization, or even engaging in lawful activities of a group designated as a "terrorist organization" by the Attorney General.

Allows extradition without treaty and expanded deportation.  The proposed act would permit extradition of individuals to countries with whom the U.S. has no extradition treaty. It would permit deportation to any location deemed acceptable by the Attorney General if deportation to the country of origin is "impracticable, inadvisable, or impossible," even if the destination's government is not recognized by the U.S. or it has no government at all.

The proposed act is laced with interactions between federal law enforcement activities and foreign intelligence activities. It would further intermingle traditionally separated federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The proposed act completely by-passes the Homeland Security Department, new home to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and numerous crime and foreign intelligence operations. In addition, the provisions of this proposed act would represent a fundamental change from the Constitutional framework of separation of powers of the branches of government, to delegating power to the Administration without oversight or accountability. It would further decrease information about government functions to the public. The proposed act would remove numerous protective walls between government agencies, erected by statute and regulation to correct past abuses.

I urge you to write, fax and call your elected Congressman to repeal the Patriot Act.

One last bit of information concerning food. Over the last few weeks, I have received many emails asking what are fractionated oils that have started to appear in foods. Here is what they are.

Fractionated oils have been used mainly in cosmetics and personal care items. They are liquid medium esters. The benefits of fractionated oil is that specific fatty acids are separated or combined for particular applications. Water-clear, light texture, odorless, tasteless with an indefinite shelf life. An excellent replacement for mineral oil, it is use as viscosity modifier, carrier, and base oil. It is miscible with essential oils, penetrating, and of light viscosity. Cosmetic, clinical nutrition, and pharmaceutical.

HOWEVER...they have recently started to put these into foods.

Fractionation is a process where the fatty acids and triglycerides found in fat are separated based on their chemical properties and then pulled out. The only problem with this process is that you cannot pull only specific fatty acids out. The process pulls out the GOOD fatty acids as well. You are left with a product that is still high in certain other fats. Most importantly, you have lost the benefits of the good fatty acids. It is also a way for companies that process these oils to re-sell parts of the oils for other uses...more profits. My opinion...I would not eat them as I think you will understand why by what I've explained.

One last thought about having something on hand as a homeopathic treatment. Collaidal Silver is a natural homeopathic spray that kills bacteria and viruses. Research has shown that it kills over 240 different bacteria strains and viruses. Make sure it has a minumum of 500 PPM, ( parts per million).

~ God Bless ~

~ David Lawrence Dewey ~