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Letters

With reference to Mr Patrick Lynch's letter and his reference to his participation in the programme Back Door Burglars - Viral and Bacterial Conditions of the Rectum and Large Bowel which I scripted and narrated for Channel Six, Mr Lynch is fully aware that if he had made known to me that was suffering from pre-existing inflammation of his rectal lining our camera team would not have fed the ano-camera apparatus as far up his orifice as they did.

Dr Gerald Francis (ret'd)

Letters

As a former patient of Dr Gerald Francis and having hosted his camera crew where by rights it ought not be possible for a camera crew to go, I would like to know what qualification he has to advise on virology (SARS and you, May 7th 2003) when his speciality was Proctology?

Still Sore, Kilburn

You must be mistaken, Dr Francis was in General Practice until he retired early due to regrettable circumstances, which are still sub-judice. Ed.

The Doctor Advises...

SARS and you.

The Willesden Herald has had a bulging postbag in recent weeks on the subject of SARS.

Many of you have many questions. Should Chinese people be shunned? If you have Chinese neighbours should you move? Is it safe to eat pak choi and other Chinese vegetables? Is it safe to eat out at our renowned local eateries?

Let's look at these questions in detail.

	1.	No. It is not yet necessary to shun Chinese people. Just take sensible precautions. If a Chinese person sneezes near you and you can't immediately confirm whether or not they have been in contact with an infected person or any surfaces touched by an infected person in the preceding 24 hours simply hold your breath immediately and move at least 40 yards away from the sneezing person.
	2.	No. It is not yet necessary to move house if you have Chinese neighbours. Simply block any shared sewage pipes that are shared between the properties and keep your windows closed at all times. If you have pets ensure that they don't visit the neighbouring family.
	3.	This is an easy one. Yes. It is perfectly safe to eat pak choi and Chinese vegetables. For the most part they are grown in Cambridgeshire and any shortfall supplies are imported from Holland.
	4.	This is more tricky. Willesden is renowned for its eateries and the astounding quality of the cuisine, and it would be unreasonable to expect readers not to want to enjoy these facilities. On this question sensible precautions should be taken to ensure your safety. If you are planning to eat out, take food and a plate and cutlery with you and simply ask if you may disinfect and use the kitchen facilities of the establishment that you intend to eat in. Then simply cook the food you have taken with you. Cook it in your own pots and pans and afterwards destroy the pans and plates and cutlery. This should be sufficient to ensure your safety without hampering your right to enjoyment of local amenities.

Next week: The Doctor Advises....on My neighbour spies on me in the garden and I think I like it.

Doctor Gerald Francis (ret'd)