The SARS virus appears to be getting worse and more infections are appearing. On the one hand I feel people are over-reacting when they are wandering around with masks on but the UK isn't infected yet (six cases so far - all survivors) and so far there hasn't been a mad rush for them. However, I feel that maybe the Chinese government should have done more about the disease; now I fear that it could be out of their control. Dunno, part of me feels a bit ashamed that the Chinese government appeared to be so imcompetent in their response. This is probably unfair but heck, all I have is the UK press for information - but being Chinese one always feels a certain helplessness and indeed embarrasment over all this: this appears to be a disease originating in China, it is serious and infectious and kills. Chinese government indifference and imcompetence resulted in its spread. Unlike FMD where UK Chinese takeaways were unfairly and unbelieveable accused, this seems to be slap bang on China's doorstep. No hiding from this. Why do I feel as I am? I am not to blame and to feel embarrased for my motherland's imcompetence is downright bizarre but there you go - that is how I feel.

Currently ploughing through a brilliant book on Asian Americans. It is called 'Yellow - race in America. Beyond Black and White' by Frank Wu. It is excellent and quite thought provoking going through the various contortions of being asian-american. Some of it is applicable elsewhere (i.e. UK and Australia) as it deals with being Asian (in this case Chinese) and how Chinese are not white enough in some cases and not black enough in others. It goes into some depth on the perils of the 'model minority' ideal and how perilous it is. Will do a bit more of a write once I'm finished. Got to sleep.