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Letters | To overcome vaccine hesitancy in Hong Kong, consider ‘reward bracelets’
- Give those vaccinated bracelets that allow them to move about maskless and enjoy greater privileges in dining and entertainment
- More bracelets seen on the healthy would also overcome fears about side effects and put social pressure on the unvaccinated
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There is much talk about the low participation in Hong Kong’s vaccination programme, and ways to encourage more people to get inoculated, with ideas such as lucky draws and celebrity endorsements. Instead of these gimmicks, why not focus on truly attractive everyday benefits? So, here is an idea – give out concert-style bracelets to all those vaccinated and allow anyone wearing the bracelet the following benefits:
First, no need to wear masks. The United States has announced that fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear masks in most circumstances; why can’t we do the same here? Surely as we enter the hot summer months, those vaccinated can be allowed to breathe more easily. Of course, people would be nervous about being castigated in public for not wearing a mask, so the bracelet would make it clear they have been vaccinated and pose no threat.
Second, give them more rights at restaurants, bars, cinemas and other entertainment venues. Let them enjoy socialising in larger groups, let them eat popcorn and have a drink while watching a film in the cinema, let them stay on at restaurants and bars.
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I expect this bracelet programme would contribute to a significant improvement in vaccination uptake for a few reasons:
First, it gives actual benefits to those vaccinated that does not depend on winning a lucky draw.
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Second, as more bracelets are seen, they would serve as a constant reminder of the need to get vaccinated. You would have thousands of walking advertisements.
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