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Singapore Using Thermal Imaging to Check for SARS

Posted by timothy on from the implications-galore dept.

Quixotic1 writes "Channel NewsAsia reports that Changi International Airport in Singapore, Asia's fourth-largest airport, is using walk-through thermal imaging devices to screen for people with SARS. 'If a person is feverish, reddish spots will apear all over his face [on the screen] and that person will then be set aside for further examination by the nurses.' A Reuters article says that the 'Infrared Fever Screening System' was originally developed for military purposes. They are being built by Singapore Technologies."

2 of 38 comments (clear)

  1. What about non-SARS fevers? by SolemnDragon · · Score: 3, Interesting
    would i need a doctor's note saying, for example, that i take a medication that causes similar conditions? Because there are some. ANd that, right there, would have to be verified, which runs RIGHT up against the whole healthcare privacy rights issue.

    And i'm curious to know what happens to people after they get led away, and at what point this starts to make since, since after all they may have just infected an airport full of people who are still getting on their flights.

    I agree that this is an issue; I don't want to die, and this is killing people. But I'm not sure that I feel good about the lack of limitations here; halfway down the slippery slope already seems like a good time to stop and ask which is more important, our right to privacy or our physical safety, and how much of each we really HAVE to give up in order for this to work...

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    "I'd say 'Have a good time,' but arson is still illegal.
  2. Fun fun fun! by Alsee · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I can't wait to see the look on people's faces when I walk through the scanner with interesting patterns on my face in infrared paint!

    Yes, there is in fact such a thing as infrared paint. Most Military vehicles are pained in a version of infrared paint that is "black" in infrared. It conseals them from infrared scanners and night vision goggles.

    There is also a version of infrared paint that is "white" in the infrared. The Iraqi military had virtually no night vision or infrared capability so the "black" paint wasn't really any benefit. They therefore put an inverted V in "white" infrared paint on coalition vehicles to help avoid friendly fire.

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