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SCMP Reporter

THE E-MAIL FORUM

Q Is Hong Kong ready for a new Sars outbreak?

The strategy unveiled to combat Sars II seems deeply flawed to me. Firstly, its preventative measures apparently only start - or are only to be led by - Tung Chee-hwa when a case of Sars is identified. Secondly, it seems to be based on inadequate evidence.

Prevention should start now. It should take the form of a national strategy to get people to strengthen their immune systems through an improvement in lifestyle.

Mr Tung has a wonderful opportunity to show his leadership. Let us all know his diet, the regular exercise he takes, what he does to optimise his stress level, what rest and relaxation he takes, what he does to control his metabolic equilibrium, any supplements he takes to boost his immune system and so on.

With such a role model to follow, the well-being of the community and its resistance to Sars could improve dramatically.

As to the evidence, the public has only been told the number of cases identified as Sars and the mortality rate locally and globally.

We have not been told the number of people who came into contact with the virus but did not go to the doctor, nor the number who were exposed to the virus, possibly in increasing intensity, but did not display symptoms. Both could have developed antibodies.

We have also not been told the scientific reason why Sars (or any other epidemic) died out. There has been vague speculation about the time of year, climatic conditions and  other matters, but no scientific evidence.

Could it be that as more and more people developed antibodies that the virus simply lacked sufficient hosts to continue to spread? We cannot answer this question without the above statistics.

Name and address supplied

I was not surprised to read that the government has revealed a three-level Sars battle plan along with a series of drills. Its pronouncements never cease to amaze if not astonish due to its lack of foresight and planning, and  ignorance of the reality of the true situation. Perhaps this is yet again the ostrich mentality it has previously displayed.

It seems to be totally ignoring the reality on the ground. Hong Kong is a Sars time bomb waiting to go off because of the accumulated debris and filth.  Many Hong Kong residents have dumped and continue to dump, in or near their homes, usually in the central well area (which exist in many of the older buildings in Hong Kong) in the hope that someone else  will dispose of it.

These are breeding grounds for vermin, bacteria and Sars. There must be millions of these disgusting  piles of garbage and refuse in buildings that are a perfect vehicle for another Amoy Gardens-type of outbreak.

Who is responsible for clearing away this filth? It appears no one. It should, of course, be the residents of the block, but as it was  they who dumped their unwanted food, plastic bottles, sanitary towels and condoms, broken furniture and so on,  one must assume that all of the aforementioned rubbish is superfluous to their requirements.

Look at the Amoy Gardens scenario where residents admitted throwing food out of the windows. 'Everyone else does,' was the justification and explanation from one resident interviewed on the day he was released from Sars quarantine.

The presence of rats and cockroaches in and around the block which were suspected Sars carriers at the time was hardly a surprise.

Sars has been a timely reminder that you cannot cram millions of people into tiny unhygienic boxes with substandard and inadequate sanitation forever. The flaws in this system eventually appear and everything falls apart.

This was so eloquently exposed during the Sars crisis. The responsibility rests with everyone. Massive education campaigns are needed continuously in schools,  public transport and on television and radio. There also needs to be a thorough clean-up of many of the older buildings.

Let's try and remember that we are in Asia's world city and not in the third world.

Pamela Young, Lamma Island

Q Should the government be forced to stop filling in the harbour?

The government should stop the filling as stipulated by the court. We as citizens have the duty to obey courts rulings, and so should the government.

The law must be respected and if government officials do not, who else should?

Enough damage has been done to Hong Kong as a whole and the harbour by careless planners and developers looking to make more money.

Let's limit the pollution where it stands now, which is already so high, and gradually improve it for the next generations. Winston Chu is a good man.

Paul Fabien, Causeway Bay

The government should admit its mistake and stop filling in the harbour.

I was not aware of the full details of the project until now and am very disappointed with this government.

Mr Tung is trying to act tough.  He doesn't want people to think that he's being led by the people. I'm sure he will insist on filling in the harbour unless he is pressured by a million people marching in the streets. Hong Kong has no hope if Mr Tung and his chosen ones continue to run our beautiful city.

Name and address supplied

Why only force the government to stop filling in the harbour? Why not force the government to step down? This is a government that does not love the harbour, and also does not love Hong Kong.

The government lies and goes against the will of the Hong Kong people. It did not learn a lesson from the July 1 demonstration. If Winston Chu calls, I will march with him.

Y. Fang, Central



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