Old Bailey Street's New Age Shop is taking a distinctly Old Testament view of Sars.

The city's premier supplier of crystals, magic wands and fortune readings informs customers in its latest newsletter that Sars is a 'plague' and 'Mother Earth' has decided to 'sacrifice some of her offspring to save herself and the rest of the family'. But help is at hand.

Visiting guru 'Marco' (promoted as 'the urbane, no-nonsense psychic') has apparently 'selflessly volunteered to stay on in Hong Kong' throughout these Sars-troubled times to promote his psychic/tarot card readings at $950 a pop. Meanwhile, visiting clairvoyant Liz McDonald, who charges $950 to 'work with angels', is also very 'brave' because 'this will be her second visit to Hong Kong'.