The Gallup Poll
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Singapore

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• Awareness of SARS approaches 100%. Main sources of information are TV and Newspapers with majority following up on the development of SARS at least once a day.

• Knowledge about SARS is high, this ranges from which are the severely infected countries, transmission method of SARS and the symptoms of SARS.

• Fear towards SARS is generally high. About three in four would want to take a vaccine for SARS if it is available. Similar proportion are worried that they or their family members would be exposed to SARS.

• The majority of people have taken some forms of precaution against SARS. The most common precaution is to avoid going to crowded public places.

• Satisfaction with Government actions to contain SARS is high and most believe the actions taken are timely and sufficient.

• Awareness of the measures taken by the Government approaches 100%. These measures are deemed to be generally effective in containing SARS.

• Hitherto, there is widespread confidence in the Government’s ability to stop SARS from turning into an outbreak.

• The public perceive SARS to affect Singapore’s economy in varying degree, with tourism being worst hit.

• Most would welcome additional measures to contain SARS.