Donald Low (May 2, 1945 - September 18, 2013) was a Canadian microbiologist noted for his role in battling the SARS outbreak of 2003. He was microbiologist-in-chief at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, from 1985 to 2013.

Low graduated from medical school at the University of Manitoba. Low became a familiar face to the Canadian public during 2003's SARS crisis;[1] although he had no official role, he was seen as calm and effective in press conferences about the response to the outbreak.[2] He was one of several physicians who were required to quarantine themselves at home during part of the outbreak.[3] In 2005 he took on the role of medical director of public health laboratory of the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion. Low was also a noted expert in necrotizing fasciitis due to Group A streptococcus.[2]

Low's wife was CBC News reporter Maureen Taylor. He had three children from a previous marriage. Low was diagnosed with a brain tumour in February 2013, and died on September 18, 2013, at age 68.[2][4] In a video published after his death, Low calls for Canada to allow assisted suicide, saying "I’m just frustrated with not being able to have control of my own life, not being able to make the decision myself when enough is enough."[5]

References

  1. ^ Perry, Ann (December 27, 2003). "Donald Low: Life was 'put on hold' during SARS outbreak Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine". Toronto Star. p. B4.
  2. ^ a b c Branswell, Helen (September 19, 2013). "Dr. Donald Low, the face of Toronto’s response to SARS, dies at 68 Archived 2017-05-18 at the Wayback Machine. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  3. ^ Marchione, Marilyn (April 3, 2003). "Toronto doctor finds himself on front line In battle against SARS". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. p. 6A.
  4. ^ (September 19, 2013). "Dr. Donald Low, public face of Toronto SARS crisis, dies Archived 2013-09-22 at the Wayback Machine". CBC News. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  5. ^ McDiarmid, Jessica (September 24, 2013). "Dr. Donald Low, face of the SARS crisis, pleads for ‘dying with dignity’ Archived 2017-10-16 at the Wayback Machine. Toronto Star. Retrieved September 24, 2013
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