Calculating the Cost of Fear

The economic damage caused by SARS could approach $100 billion, making it one of the costliest diseases to emerge in a decade, according to Bio Economic Research Associates, Cambridge, Mass. A few examples: Air Canada had lost $20 million by early May, largely due to low passenger traffic from Asia. Toronto hoteliers estimate they're down $85 million since the outbreak. For Asian destinations, the cost has been so devastating as to make a dent in the gross national product of many countries.