I refer to Alex Lo’s column “I was wrong about Occupy student leaders” (July 28). While I totally agree with the “be careful what you wish for” adage, we need to reflect on what has caused the chaos to go from bad to worse week after week . I disagree with Lo simply ruling out these protesters as “rejects who are now wreaking havoc” on our streets. We accept that the Hong Kong government is “managed” by the central government. However, our leaders need to take a serious look at whether they are accurately reading the pulse of today’s and future generations of children, and potential leaders. They clearly have underestimated the will of the people and therefore we are here today. It is disappointing that, while the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office responded on July 29 to the unrest in the city, we have yet to hear any solutions – other than conflicting and incessant apologies – from Hong Kong leaders. It is no wonder the protesters have labelled the leaders “lame ducks”. The government must protect certain basic rights of the people: firmly maintain the rule of law, close the ever-increasing wealth gap and lower poverty by providing affordable housing, strong basic bilingual education, health care and subsequent pension benefits. It seems easier said than done but we have been down this road many times before and still have not got this right. Hong Kong protesters need to fight the war of ideas As an expat of many years in Hong Kong, it is very sad to see what the city has become today and even sadder to think the protesters feel they have no future and nothing to lose, even resorting to waving American or British flags. It is time for everyone to come together to ensure these basic needs are met without any further delay, before this city is rendered obsolete by international markets. Tess Downey, Pok Fu Lam Hong Kong’s silent majority is fed up of violent protests One doesn’t have to be pro-Beijing to be fed up with the shocking violence on our streets, perpetrated by a minority. Where is the poll of Hongkongers to find out what our quiet majority thinks? In 2014, a University of Hong Kong poll showed an “overwhelming majority” (nearly 83 per cent) wanted the Occupy protests to end. Our own straw poll suggests the same overwhelming majority today are sick and tired of the violent protesters and their inchoate aims. And no wonder. Just look at the news in the Post : retail sales plunging (“Shops in Causeway Bay see sales hit by Hong Kong protests”, July 30), property transactions tumbling (“Hong Kong property transactions drop by 48 per cent”, July 30), business confidence being eroded (“Hong Kong protests, government ‘inability to address concerns damaging business confidence”, July 30) and local and international commuters hindered (“Extradition bill protesters cause rush hour chaos”, July 24). This can’t go on. Save Hong Kong’s image before more damage is done The protesters say they are concerned about Beijing’s tightening rule. If they keep going with their violent protests, they’re about to find out what that looks like. Let’s have a new poll and be guided by the Hong Kong majority, not the minority, the self-deluded and increasingly violent protesters. Peter Forsythe, Discovery Bay Hospital shows there are still caring people in Hong Kong With all the international negativity surrounding Hong Kong over the ongoing protests against the ineffective current government, I would like to share my appreciation and thanks to all the wonderful medical and nursing staff at Tung Wah Hospital in Sheung Wan, especially on ward C7. Tung Wah is a teaching hospital and it was reassuring to see the patience of the teaching staff and the willingness of the student nurses to learn and to help the patients. I was in for a surgical procedure and, despite a small complication that was smoothly resolved, have nothing but praise for all the staff I encountered. Let us not forget this is a city primarily filled with wonderful caring people. Andrew Lupton, Tung Chung