"Super-Pneumonia" or Super Scare?

“At this writing, SARS appears to have killed 49 people out of 1323 afflicted according to the World Health Organization, a death rate of less than four percent. In Hong Kong, that alleged ‘worst medical disaster’ has killed ten people out of 316 known victims. But since this only takes into account those ill enough to seek medical help, the actual ratio of deaths to infections is certainly far less.” Michael Fumento

—“Super-Pneumonia” or Super Scare? (Fumento)

Mysterious diseases are exciting. And a disease that claims the life of its discoverer and sparks what may become an international incident is dramatic. But journalists are often wrong about science, so this opposing view is welcome. Nevertheless, look at the full title of the above article, which is prefaced by: “Bestselling author and syndicated columnist Michael Fumento reports,” and which is posted on an eponymous website. There’s nothing wrong with promoting yourself by giving away stuff for free, but that title is overblown.