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SCMP Reporter

INQUIRY INTO SARS

We have heard debate in Hong Kong on whether we should set up an independent committee to look into the Sars outbreak.

I find it puzzling that we should have such a debate at all.

Is it not a minimum expectation of a highly developed and mature society such as Hong Kong to establish a fully independent committee to look into the causes, the course of development and the role of individual officials in the epidemic?

Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa told us we should look at the issues involved but not the role of the individual in the outbreak.

I disagree. What is an issue? It is the result of a series of actions and decisions taken by an individual or a group of individuals.

If the tragedy of Sars is due entirely to institutional constraints or a deficiency in the medical system, or it can be attributed completely to a chain of unfortunate factors interacting together beyond the control of an individual, I suppose we should accept that far-reaching reform must be made in these areas.

However, is this case? Even if it is, the verdict must be written by an impartial and independent committee.

It is disheartening to see that the Hong Kong government lacks the courage and the sense of accountability to embrace an independent committee gracefully and promptly.

What is the purpose of having an accountable system? If we do not have an accountable culture or the mentality to hold an official responsible when he is found to have made mistakes in discharging his duty, the system is merely cosmetic.

Its sole purpose would be to dress up a government which does not appreciate the essence or the spirit of accountability.

It would be wise for the government to establish and accept the findings of an independent committee. Whatever the final outcome of such an investigation, as long as it is conducted with good faith and competence, society will accept it.

This may be a unique opportunity for the government to redeem itself.

In the event an individual is censured, he or she should step down and take responsibility for his or her action.

It is not only an honourable thing to do but it will enable the community to close a chapter and move forward.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

SMILE CAMPAIGN

With the travel warning now lifted, the people of our wonderful city are beginning to feel happy again.

There has been much discussion on how we could celebrate this event. One reader suggested a 'mass burning of masks' event, another the 'kissing of strangers in the street', like after  the second world war.

I propose something very simple yet powerful, which crosses all cultural and age barriers - that the government institute a 'Smile for Hong Kong' campaign. It would cost the least and do the most.

The more masks that come off the more smiles we see. The campaign could take place in schools, hotels, the airport, businesses and shopping centres. It could incorporate badges, T-shirts, and campaigns on TV and in other media. Cathay Pacific could put smiles on the noses of its planes.

Most smiles are started by another smile. It is almost impossible to smile on the outside without feeling better on the inside, so maybe this is just the morale boost that our dedicated health workers and those affected by Sars need.

Let's complement the 'We Love Hong Kong' campaign with this 'Smile for Hong Kong' campaign.

The smile campaign would have an extremely positive impact on tourism, the economy and morale.

As we all know, the world always looks brighter from behind a smile. Let's start it immediately.

NATALIE McDONALD FASSO

Chung Hom Kok

BOYCOTT STREET MEAT

If anyone thinks Hong Kong has any chance of being clean and germ-free, I challenge them to go down to Stanley Street, Central, under the escalator for an education.

Every morning I walk along this street at about 8.30am, and what do I see?

Vendors chopping meat and poultry on wooden blocks on the ground as the local cats sit by licking their lips on the debris as it hits the pavement.

This is all done next to the vegetable and flower stalls. One hour later this very same food is cooked on the streets by vendors wearing no more than a singlet, pair of shorts, flip-flops and a cigarette hanging out of their mouths.

At the end of the day the entire street is hosed down. Very hygienic indeed.

Let's not kid ourselves that we accept this filth in the name of culture and the Hong Kong experience. We are paying the price now for our slack attitude to hygiene.

If you want to make a change, boycott these places. Obviously the government does not care about such establishments.

JOE J. CAUCHI

Central

LOOK IN THE MIRROR

Don't blame the government. We should look at ourselves in the mirror.

Just minutes after the WHO lifted the travel advisory on Friday, I watched the occupants of a pick-up van throw their litter - half-eaten food, drinks and paper - on the street just five metres from a litter bin outside a supermarket.

Why waste time, resources and taxpayer's money on a witch-hunt against the government, when many members of the public continue to litter, spit and soil this beautiful city?

Poor public hygiene and social habits allowed the influx of Sars.

Look at yourself in the mirror, Hong Kong, and change your habits before criticising the government.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

CIVETS AND CULTURE

I refer to the article headlined 'Scientists link civet cats to Sars outbreak' (South China Morning Post, May 24).

I have been reading with much interest the findings of scientists that the outbreak of Sars might have been triggered by wild animals that eventually landed on the dining table.

Yuen Kwok-yung was very pessimistic about controlling such behaviour as it is part of 'a culture that has been there for 5,000 years'.

I have great admiration for Chinese culture, and I regret to see many aspects of it disappearing.

However, culture is not static. Thus I regret even more that culture is used as an excuse for why we are unable to tackle urgent problems.

I think no one disagrees that the habit of eating and trading certain animals, especially endangered ones, poses great problems in today's society.

I truly hope that governments are taking tough measures against such practices and ensuring that cultural education keeps up with changing times.

ERIKA SUTER MEIER

Stanley

UNIVERSITY DESERVES PRAISE

Your unnamed correspondent cast doubts on the finding by  Yuen Kwok-yung of the University of Hong Kong that the coronavirus found in civet cats is likely to be the precursor of the Sars virus and accused the university of promulgating 'false claims' ('Civet link to Sars is unsound', May 24).

While more investigation may be needed before one can conclusively pinpoint the origin of the virus, how can the letter-writer, at this stage, claim that the university's finding, made in conjunction with the Shenzhen Centre for Disease Control, is false?

At most, one can say that the finding is inconclusive. It may indeed turn out to be true after further tests.

On the other hand, I would like to applaud the University of Hong Kong for its enormous contribution to our understanding of Sars over the past three months through the microbiological, genetic and laboratory breakthroughs that its scientists have achieved.

The university should also be praised for its contribution in devising and evaluating the various treatment and hygienic protocols, the assistance that it provided in investigating the Amoy Gardens outbreak and other Sars-related phenomenon, its collaboration with the World Health Organisation and its rapid dissemination of the fruits of the research through medical journals and press releases.

LOUIS WONG

Causeway Bay

OFF THE MENU

This is probably a stupid question, but if civet cats are considered an exotic delicacy rather than a required nutrient for human health - and now we find them to be loaded with deadly Sars virus - why is it not possible simply to remove civet cat from the menu?

ROBERTA HILBURN CHAN

Wan Chai



Letters