With over 2,000 new cases of COVID-19 infections detected recently in Hong Kong — and mounting — we have arrived at another inflection point in this global pandemic. Despite early blunders, the special administrative region government is picking up speed under the guidance of Beijing to get back ahead of the curve before the community implodes. Overall, the government has formulated policies to move the needle in the right direction. Newly minted policies have sparked a new round of debate. But while haters continue to hate, the Hong Kong government should dig its heels in for the betterment of the people in the region.
One of the current contentions revolves around postponing the Legislative Council election for one year. Populists cry foul as they call it a political stunt conjured by the Communist Party of China to rig the election. Scientifically, social distancing has proved to be one of the best measures to stem viral transmission. There is a fine line between the slippery slope that leads to a geometrical outbreak beyond control and a parallel universe of successfully flattening the curve. The same cabal of dissenters has always put self above society, and now politics above people.
Fabricating conspiracy theories to whip up anti-mainland sentiment has long been their way of seeking attention for personal gratification. Fortunately, it has been losing steam since the enactment of the National Security Law. Being self-serving may not be a crime in itself, but to the extent that it puts the lives of millions at stake is as deplorable as much as it is unlawful. The virus does not respect borders, ethnicity, or political factions. It acts as a parasite on us and tortures our families before granting a thoroughly painful death. Any attempt that stirs infighting and shaves off our commitment to face it down is akin to abetting our murderous enemy — despicable treachery to mankind.
In fact, many countries around the globe have postponed super-spreading events such as elections and campaigning for fear of widespread viral transmission. Having seen how even the well-structured health systems in Italy and the United Kingdom collapse in the face of acute demands for medical attention, it seems fair for Hong Kong to learn how to protect its residents. The health system in Hong Kong — discombobulated coordination between the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority layered on top of some disincentivized medical workers — has proved that the temerity of Hong Kong people can withstand any hardship in solidarity. For better and worse, this pandemic exposed age-old cracks left unattended for decades. We are barely hanging on. A single misstep will throw Hong Kong out of kilter. And there is no room for complacency.
Any attempt that stirs infighting and shaves off our commitment to face it (the virus) down is akin to abetting our murderous enemy — despicable treachery to mankind
The Chinese mainland has propped up Hong Kong’s fragile healthcare system. Starting off, Dr Zhong Nanshan mentioned the importance of prevention. That includes closure of all restaurants, a policy implemented by the Hong Kong government but later relaxed because of opposition by a loud minority. Zhong also emphasized the banning of all mass gatherings for any purpose to be pivotal in the outcome of this tug of war between us and the virus. To protect people from dying, the government should not back off from policies that safeguard the health of the public majority even if they infringe upon the interests of the minority. A well-known anthropological phenomenon describes how a person is more compelled to help a victim on the street when alone than among crowds. Such is the human nature of the bystander effect. Similarly, the collective majority may not be as vociferous as the aggrieved minority especially when the latter feels their status quo to be under imminent threat. The current administration of Hong Kong has to reflect upon the primordial aim of governmental systems — to maintain an ecosystem of impartiality and safety for people to live without worry. Lack of spine does not bode well for the administration to implement future policies with confidence and credibility in the region.
Additionally, actual resources are showered upon Hong Kong’s health system. The mainland is sending viral test kits to facilitate universal testing for a population of 7.5 million in Hong Kong. Officials are also mulling over the construction of a temporary hospital as grand as the mythical Noah’s Ark. Some mainland healthcare businesses are ramping up recruitment of medical workers to aid subject testing and contact tracing in Hong Kong. Any support during this critical moment is welcomed. But although Beijing does not hesitate to help Hong Kong tide over this wave of outbreak, it is in its best interest to see Hong Kong thrive self-sufficiently. Echoing the voices of many residents, Beijing intimated the ineptness of the healthcare administrators in Hong Kong.
“To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” The current (and the next) chief executive has to prioritize healthcare system reform. Uninspiring leadership of the two health organizations of Hong Kong has been able to escape public scrutiny for years. COVID-19 merely brought this issue to the fore. Perhaps rebuilding the flimsy healthcare system will need as much time as the previous health administrators have squandered. But it is worthwhile to invest in the well-being of the people in the long run.
We will see off the virus one day, and our decrepit health system will be left no better. As bystanders, no single citizen has a stake too great to lose. The wealthy consult private doctors; the uninitiated are too innocent to complain; others bothered by their own acute worries to get by — only the government has skin in the game. And representing citizens at large, it has to remember that with great power comes great responsibility.
The author is a licensed medical doctor in Hong Kong and holds a master of public health degree from Johns Hopkins University.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
