As the saying goes, only when a horse is put to cover a long distance at a gallop will its strength be finally confirmed, so our medical personnel have proven their true worth in the bitter fight against the ravages of SARS raging throughout our country. They have dedicated themselves to the sublime cause of rescuing those on the verge of death and stemming the disease's spread.

　　Because the disease is highly contagious, most of the doctors and medical staff fighting on the battlefield have been strictly isolated from their families ever since coming in touch with SARS patients. Some have even lost their lives - one in five victims is reported to be a medical worker - in the fulfillment of their sacred mission.

　　Their glorious act made me think of the nightmarish days when the intelligentsia as a whole was branded as a pack of oxen, ghosts, snakes and demons. They were trampled on as though they were the dregs of society, living off the sweat of the labouring people. I really wonder what would have become of us if the inverted socialsgroupshad not been put to rights.

　　Today we see those white-robed angels receive accolades and material rewards from various fields in recognition of their services that are irreplaceable when they are locked in mortal combat against such an unknown and dangerous virus.

　　And I'd like to quote another one of our ancient philosophical teachings which says that good luck always keeps company with misfortune and vice versa. So when Pandora's box is opened, do not panic in the first place, for we will only lick the thorny problem quicker if we have full confidence in ourselves.

　　Can't we see that the public have been motivated and banded together against the spread of the epidemic? Disregard for individual cleanliness and environmental hygiene, and ingrained pernicious habits that have been haunting us for so long, are now most likely to invite scathing criticisms from the broad masses, in addition to running the risk of being heavily fined.

　　Therefore, litterbugs and those accustomed to spitting on the pavement no longer dare to give free rein to their impulses or else they'd better take along with them a waste-paper basket or a cuspidor whenever they opt for a stroll.

　　Aside from this, washing hands as well as ventilation has become a must for each and every individual. Only the other day I've noticed the vendors selling barbecued meat in the vicinity of schools have vanished like a puff of smoke. Likewise, shanty-like barber shops have been ordered to close for sanitary reasons, I suppose.

　　Sanitation, as a matter of fact, has taken root in everybody's mind, an achievement we could hardly have made if there were not the outbreak of SARS.

　　Let it be hoped that we can refrain from relapsingsintosthe bad old habits once the dreaded epidemic is over, so a new Shanghai with a new outlook will emerge in the long run.