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SCMP Reporter

City prepared for any swine flu pandemic
I refer to the letter by Sean Niem ('Hong Kong is ill-prepared for new form of swine flu virus', December 4).
Hong Kong has all along prepared for and responded to the human swine influenza  pandemic proactively.
We have been closely monitoring the trend and development of the pandemic globally and locally and have been adjusting our control strategy, including various community and boundary- control measures, according to the assessment of the latest situation.
As many individuals in our community remain susceptible to this influenza,  vaccination is one of the priority strategies in preparing for the second wave.
Viral mutation is a natural occurring process, and the currently available human swine influenza vaccines confer protection against the recently identified Norwegian mutant virus. Moreover, the World Health Organisation considers human swine flu vaccines to be as safe as the seasonal influenza ones,  and the side effects so far reported from many countries are within expectations. The scientific committee under the Centre for Health Protection has also concluded that the benefits of  human swine flu vaccination far outweigh the potential risk.
Although we cannot predict fully what the situation will be like in the upcoming weeks, we will intensify publicity and promotion of  vaccinations in the coming months, in order to appeal to people who belong to the high-risk group to get  vaccinated early to protect themselves as well as our society.
Dr Thomas Chung, head, emergency response and information branch, Department of Health
LED lights best for Christmas
It has been suggested that LED lights should be used for Hong Kong's traditional Christmas decorations.  
An LED bulb  uses far fewer volts than the incandescent variety. Indeed, it represents energy savings of up to 90 per cent. It is a pity that property developers  opt for the cheapest, fastest solution.
This festive period of the year is enhanced by these decorations in our shopping centres, hotels and other commercial buildings and millions of bulbs are used.  Many families enjoy having a walk along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront to enjoy the colourful show. But these decorations are a waste of energy. 
LED bulbs are beneficial to the environment as they save a large amount of energy.  I agree that they could be used for Hong Kong's Christmas decorations and this would be good for our  damaged environment.
Every LED bulb saves nearly 10  volts used by an incandescent bulb.  Thanks to rapid development, countries are using up the earth's  natural resources. However, when it comes to energy, we do have more environmentally friendly alternatives, and LED bulbs are a shining example of this.  It makes sense that property developers should want to decorate their shops over Christmas in order to attract more customers. At the same time they should also accept that they have a social responsibility to protect the environment.  
That is why they should be considering LED lights;  they should take into account their reduced operating costs. 
Once there is wider use of them, a lot of energy will be saved.  
People who support using LED bulbs are showing their concern for the future of our planet.  For the sake of our next generation, we have to take immediate action.
Angela Ho Lok-yiu, Tsuen Wan
Serious lack of commitment
I think there is a lack of commitment on the part of the government to improve the quality of the city's air. This is a problem that seems to me to be getting worse. 
Air pollution poses a serious threat to our health, so I can understand why Hong Kong's citizens are so concerned about it.  
The administration has a responsibility to Hongkongers to try harder to clean up our air. It should take note of our concerns.   
There must be serious discussions about a strategy that can reduce air pollution levels in the SAR and make it a more appealing place to live.  
I look forward to the time when I can see more blue skies above the city.  
Vincy Chu, Sham Shui Po
This is a battle that can be won
At a recent scientific meeting presented by  Anthony Hedley, from the department of community medicine of the University of Hong Kong, and  Ellis K. L. Hon, professor of paediatrics at the Chinese University, we learned of the serious effects of pollution - so serious that doctors are speaking of a medical emergency.
Bad as the situation is, it is made worse by our government's attempt to conceal 'inconvenient truths' such as that our emission standards are well below World Health Organisation recommendations and that much of our pollution is self-inflicted and can be cured locally.
Our government does not publicise the fact that prevention is in fact cheaper than cure. It reduces the burden of future treatment while enhancing the well-being and thus productivity of our society.
Economist Paul Krugman tells us that 'microbe economics' governed humanity throughout our pre-industrial history. Due to our ignorance, all governments could do was take to the hills while our tiny enemies causing plague, smallpox and other dreaded diseases laid waste to  populations. It is thanks to our industrial revolution that we have the instruments to overcome our natural enemies.
The same scientific methods that beat the bug armies will win the battle against the particles that are a side effect of our economic activity.
However, this can only happen if our government drops its stance of neutrality and becomes an active participant in the war against this new killer disease.
Don Allison, Kowloon Tong
Pollution puts children at risk
My experience of the effects of pollution are direct and unhappy. 
Up until 14 months ago my family lived in Hong Kong. 
My grandson was born here and for the first two years of his life he suffered intermittent breathing difficulties, spending an inordinate amount of time seeing the doctor, with an occasional night in hospital on a drip. 
This resulted in my son, also Hong Kong born,  abandoning life here and  moving the family to Singapore, where my grandson has prospered both physically and intellectually. 
There is a message here for anyone with young children. Bring them up in Hong Kong and you risk permanently damaging them. 
Children are our future. Our so-called government is poisoning our future by, according to a recent Radio 3 programme on this subject, permitting pollution levels that can potentially cause brain damage in the young. 
Peter Berry, Lamma 
Why we need new rail link
Those who are opposing the cross-border express rail link are dumbing down Hong Kong and the future livelihood of its nearly 7 million people. 
The express rail link will allow Hong Kong to position itself strategically for greater long-term development; without it we are shooting ourselves in the foot. 
Hong Kong must tie itself into the national network, to strengthen our ability to invest and work  on the mainland and to open up new opportunities for Hong Kong and its workforce. 
Together with the building of the express rail link must come generous,  not penny-pinching, measures to deal with practical problems. 
The resettlement of villages and rehousing of endangered tenants, and so forth, are things at times of need we have had to manage in the past. 
Now is the hour of need for Hong Kong, its economy and future. The express rail link is a vital lifebelt. 
David Akers-Jones, president, Business and Professionals Federation of Hong Kong
Let parents have quality time
I am concerned about the growing problem of teenage drug abuse, and I feel the government needs to focus more on it. 
Some teenagers are drawn to drugs because they are immature and struggle to cope with society. Often their parents are out working and are too busy to spend time with them.  
The government should find ways to enable parents to have more free time, which they can then spend at home with their children. This could be done with a policy aimed at setting maximum hours in the workplace, in addition to having a minimum wage. This would allow them to deal with any problems their children may be having.  
We should all be concerned about this problem in our society.  
Lo Cha-lung, Tsuen Wan
Ships a threat for dolphins
People are constantly striving for a better quality of life, but sometimes we forget the endangered species struggling to survive.  
Every day the Chinese white dolphins are at risk from container ships crossing the area of sea which is their habitat.  
They are a mascot for Hong Kong, but we are not ensuring they get sufficient protection.
As a consequence, their numbers are in decline.  
If we value these creatures then we must do something about trying to protect them and raise concerns about their quality of life.  
Chloe Lau, Shek Kip Mei



Letters