February 12, after five minutes in the office, our 'Question-mark Editor' brought up the topic on every newspaper's front page: Pneumonia! 'Isn't it terrible, with one of our colleagues in Guangzhou right now?' he said, his face a mask of horror. Someone started wailing. We laughed about the craze over vinegar and returned to work. But he was unstoppable. The strain on his face intensified as he raved on. Before long fear spread because we were also worried that he might have been infected and was using our (un)fortunate colleague, who was in Guangzhou to report the Brazil-China soccer game, as a scapegoat. Joking aside, it is amazing what people would do out of fear. Some spent $55 on a small bottle of vinegar, more screamed over mere dust amid the anthrax scare. Yet more steered clear of chickens whenever news of bird flu broke. Fear without foundation is the most dangerous of all. Not only because it is unreasonable, but, more importantly, because it drives all sense out of us. We can make fools of ourselves. At best, we spend more on simple commodities like salt and vinegar, only to laugh at ourselves afterwards. At worst, we may not be able to tell real threats from ones that grow out of rumours. All this distracts us from real problems that need urgent attention. So, let's sleep well from now on so that our immune systems can fight off pneumonia and bird flu. As for our editor, we have dubbed him 'The Sum of All Fears'. Don't worry. He retains sound ability to reason and laugh. Wondering what he looks like? Check out the cartoon on the opposite page! Ms Yow is a Young Post reporter Graphic: SOPHIAGES
