Letters to the Editor, March 7, 2018
Respect has to be earned, Mr President
As we try to size up US President Donald Trump and his administration, the negatives far outweigh the positives.
I have read letters saying Trump deserves respect, as the office of the president should be respected. Well, many of us respect the office but not the current occupant. When Trump shows respect for American voters we might reciprocate.
Between the Russia investigation and his reaction to the Florida school shooting, again the negatives far outweigh the positives.
Yes, the economy remains strong and immigration rules have been tightened. But Trump’s weak leadership and scattergun thinking has the free world both laughing and fearful of what this overgrown bully will come up with next. He can be best described as dangerous for our well-being, and his erratic behaviour and actions are all for his own gratification. No matter how hard he tries to sell his “I love America, I love our military” line, it all adds up to “I love me!” Not to mention rolling back regulations that protect clean air, clean water, health care, senior care or food safety, and his support for unnecessary offshore drilling for oil and delusional emphasis on “clean coal!”
The Ides of March are upon you, Mr President and Congress. The coming elections may be the most important decisions American voters ever have to make to survive this evil empire. Impeachment would be a good start to put this great nation back on track.
Herb Stark, North Carolina
Stop exodus of Hong Kong’s medical brains
As many as 24,300 Hong Kong residents left last year, the largest exodus since 2012. And with doctors and nurses leaving in greater numbers – drawn by relatively easy citizenship abroad amid a global shortage of medical professionals – fears of a brain drain and deeper manpower shortage at Hong Kong’s public hospitals have magnified. This is particularly alarming given the city’s rapidly ageing demographic.
There is no doubt that these frontline medical care workers are choosing to emigrate for a better livelihood. Your article quoted an immigration consultant as saying that they are tired of the city’s long working hours, congested living environment and contentious politics.
However, there is also no doubt about the long-term lack of manpower in the emergency rooms of our public hospitals. The citywide shortage is estimated at 300 doctors and 200 nurses.
It is clear that the government needs policies to improve working conditions and staff welfare in the medical sector, so that our doctors and nurses are encouraged to remain in Hong Kong.
Chow Ka Wing, Kwai Chung
Elderly patients deserve own A&E queue
The Social Welfare Department of the Hong Kong government has been very considerate towards the city’s elderly population, to which it has offered certain unique privileges.
As far as visits to public hospitals are concerned, there is normally a very long queue at the A&E (accident and emergency) departments, with patients of all ages waiting for hours on end.
Given the overcrowded conditions elderly patients, in particular, find it very distressing to be kept waiting for so long for a medical consultation. I suggest that the Hospital Authority ask that all public hospitals introduce a separate queue for elderly patients of, say, 75 years of age and above.
Many such patients already enjoy the benefit of “waiver of medical charges” at local hospitals under the authority.
Dr B.K. Avasthi, Discovery Bay
Clearly, no one’s home at Now TV
After four hours of calling Now TV’s 24-hour customer hotline – plus every other Now TV number to be found on Google search – alas, I was still unable to speak to a real person.
Instead, I had to listen over and over again to pre-recorded messages about subscription services and be told to input my ID card number and how an executive would be with me “shortly”.
It appears that Now TV is more like “Then” TV, with no one home.
Little wonder that television is losing out to Netflix and everything else readily available – for free – in the online world.
Hans Ebert, Wan Chai
Get real when travelling in beautiful India
However, visitors must see beyond the beautiful face of India. It is a developing country and the disparity between its rich and poor is very large. We should not only experience the colours and grandeur but also try to see the real face of the country.
Mary Chan, Kwai Chung