A DAY after the Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Edinburgh claimed its first life there was a mixture of puzzlement, stoicism and a lack of concern in the areas affected, as well as a feeling that not enough was being done to keep people informed about the risks and the potential source of the infection.
"I only heard about it briefly this morning," said Duncan Stewart-Robinson, who lives in Leith but works in Dalry. "I'm concerned. I'd like to know a bit more about it but they won't tell us more until they know more because they need to know where it's come from. I think that's what they're trying to do but I don't have any worries about walking around the area."
Saughton resident Sandra Dodds was critical about the lack of advice, saying: "I think the Government and NHS Lothian should have put out some more information. We live right in the middle of it.
"I'm not worried just out and about in the streets but I would like more information.
"They're not giving any indication of where it is and that's the worrying factor. It doesn't seem to be contained as it should be. If somebody's died, it then becomes serious."
Fiona Halliday, also from Leith, said: "I know there are 16 people affected and there's been one death and it's maybe linked to a cooling tower.
"But it never even crossed my mind to be worried about being in the area.
"I mean, I could get knocked over by a bus or a car."
She had some sympathy for the authorities. "Edinburgh's such a big city that it could be anywhere," she added. "It's like a needle in a haystack. It's a difficult one to try to cope with."
Like many people who had been away or off work over the Diamond Jubilee long weekend, Gorgie resident Anna Riley had only found out about the outbreak in the previous few hours.
She said: "I don't know much about it. I would be very concerned. I think it is quite a threat and it's very worrying someone's just died. I haven't spoken to any of my neighbours so I don't know how they are feeling. But I doubt actually if they are terribly worried."
Another Gorgie resident, Laura Young, knew nothing about the outbreak until told about it by The Herald. "I don't have a TV," she said. "But I just got sick the other day, so I'm paranoid now."
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