Dear Friends,

Wanted to send a note to ask for your prayers for Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and other areas affected by SARS.

Yesterday was the highest number of newly reported cases in Taiwan. Originally the government thought Taiwan had the disease under control, but it quickly spread in several hospitals. A large number of folks are now in quarantine. Several doctors and nurses have died of SARS. I think the total death toll in Taiwan as of today is 40.

I was concerned to learn that our Presbyterian Hospital in Taipei had three probable cases and four suspected cases among medical staff. I discovered that our two large Presbyterian hospitals needed surgical masks and isolation gowns, so I called Insik Kim in Louisville, the PC(USA)’s area coordinator for East Asia and the Pacific. He’s now seeking to acquire the necessary equipment, so the medical staff is properly protected as they care for SARS patients.

There is great fear among the people. Most stores, churches, schools (including our seminary) take the temperatures of everyone who enters. This is helpful since it can both prevent an infected person from infecting others and since most of us are having our temperatures taken in different places several times a day, we know what our temperature is.

A lot of folks are wearing surgical masks, although they have been in short supply. Now the World Health Organization (WHO) is saying average folks do not need to wear masks, just frequently wash their hands. We are required to wear masks on the subway, trains, planes, and buses.

Our students have been discouraged from going to their field-education churches, but a number feel they need to still go. I spoke at a youth rally last night in Keelung north of Taipei and preached at a church in the city center this morning. Both places took our temperatures at the door.

Taiwan has not been permitted to join the WHO because of the opposition of mainland China. This epidemic has shown how important it is that Taiwan at least be given observer status. These viruses know no national borders. There will be a meeting of the WHO next week, and Taiwan is hoping that they will be admitted as an observer.

No one at our school has had symptoms. There is a quarantine center just behind the school, and we have been writing cards for the residents, since there is little else we can do.

Please pray for the hospital staffs around the island. Also pray for the government as they seek to wisely manage this new disease. And please pray for the church as they seek to witness to the Prince of Peace in the midst of unsettled hearts.

Thank you.

Grace and peace,

John McCall
Taipei