ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we will look at the impact of the SARS epidemic of 2003 on economies, labour markets and human resources. This epidemic followed in the wake of the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis and the events of ‘9/11’, two years earlier. Divine judgement might have come to mind to those of the local populations who knew their biblical scriptures: ‘And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy’ (Leviticus, 26, 25).
