Topic: Importing, is there any fatal risk?

[Don'tHate742]

I want to import the Hori sticks to go along with Soul Calibur II but is there a good chance that I might catch S.A.R.S? I don't want to die and possibly spread the plague just for having a better experience with a great game....

[BlkPaladin]

... THere is no chance of catching SARS from a joy stick. The virus is spread by liquid and once it dries up the virus dies. Unless they ship it packed in water there is NO chance of catching a disease. If you are that worryied just wipe it down with bleach. (It kills all microrganisms it comes into contact with.)

Another thing I hate is when people say you can get SARS from going to a Oriental Restaurant, you have just the same chance of getting SARS from McDonalds (if you live in the US).

[OldMan Nintendo]

SARS is spread much like how the common cold is spread: with contact with the person who is sick physically or if the sick person coughs or sneezes on you, etc., what BlkPaladin said.  I wouldn't be worried too much if you are importing goods from the East -- with the kind of packing procedures companies use and the security measures taken for international transport those germs would've long been sterilized.  

Go all-out for your games, my friend!

[Termin8Anakin]

You know those little packets of tiny beads in cotton sachets they have in boxes of electrical goods? Well, those absorb ANY moisture in the box, for obvious reasons.

If you ever find one, just toss it into a sink of running water and watch and listen to the satisfying firecracker type noises (totally unrelated).

In other words, you joystick will not contain SARS. Unless of couse the funny packaging situation BlkPaladin mentioned actually happens.  

[KDR_11k]

SARS can survive on dry surfaces for about 6 hours, but I believe even that won't allow it to survive the shipping.