I was masked today, by the Chinese physician I went to see about my fever, as soon as he was done with measuring my temperature; "It's better for both you and others," he explained.

I realised how close I was to being classified as a suspect SARS case, as much as I knew that it was not possible that I had SARS since I had only a high fever, but no dry hacking cough, no breathing difficulties and none of the lung-related ailments characteristic of SARS.

But, the mask sure made me feel like I was a victim of the virus, and finally drove home the point that SARS really is dangerous, and that it really could strike anyone, amidst my past, rather wilful assumptions that I would be safe from this seemingly distant disease.

Thoughts of denial ran through my mind, telling me that the mask was unnecessary, making me look stupid, and totally extraneous, despite some other inner voice asking, "What if?".

Most people, I guess, especially myself, hold such thoughts of denial about many things, many issues, in their course of living; they vehemently refuse to admit the existence of feelings, emotions, and thoughts, even when they stare them in the eye.

Perhaps it's because they cannot identify that which is staring them in the eye.

Like the many people who deny that they are sinking away in depression, wallowing in self-pity, killing themselves with terrible thoughts, losing their souls and lives hating others too much, etc.

Like the many people who love, or like, that special someone, but deny it so vehemently, only to be knocked down by the thousand-watt flares that dash into them, running them over later.

Like the many people who thought they loved, or liked, a certain special someone when the feelings didn't exist.

It's interesting, how everything in this world is masked, how we all mask ourselves from reality.

Face the truth. It's the only thing to do.