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Q Who do you think are the heroes of the Sars outbreak?

I think the frontline health-care workers, the microbiologists in the labs and the social workers are the heroes of this epidemic.

Medical workers bear the brunt of the disease; most of them haven't been home for several weeks. Doctors and nurses have also been struck down by the rampant virus. Yet they haven't given up, because they know that every patient needs their care and help. How competent and committed they are. Everybody can see their professionalism and self-committment. Their tremendous efforts are appreciated and will always be remembered.

Diana Wong, Tseung Kwan O

Without a doubt, the heroes of the Sars outbreak are the medical, nursing and other hospital staff who have remained at their posts, aware of the dangers and sacrificing their home life and comforts for the benefit of patients and the wider community. In addition, staff members at Prince of Wales Hospital have had to endure the snipes and jibes of those who were not present at the beginning of the outbreak and for whom hindsight vision is twenty-twenty.

The other (unsung) heroes of this battle are the legions of cleaners who sweep, mop and disinfect the public housing estates, shopping centres and streets. This is a low-paid, dirty and thankless task at the best of times. They now have the added risk of contamination from any number of sources, from drains to rubbish, but they continue to carry out their task with a vengeance. Let us hope that Hong Kong's newly discovered love of public and personal hygiene doesn't end on the rubbish tip as soon as the danger is over.

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