I refer to the article , “Officials will be ‘lenient at first’ as Hong Kong’s ‘Leave Home Safe’ app becomes mandatory to access government facilities” (October 31). I welcome the enforcement of the new rule by the government. It is a necessary step to reinforce the idea of digital governance in Hong Kong. Addressing concerns over data collection through the app, the government has explained more than once that the app will not collect any personal information and the data will only be used for disease prevention purposes. Yet, public acceptance of the app remains quite low. It is the responsibility of citizens to assess government policies with a critical mindset. Nevertheless, it is not a good sign that people believe in rumours instead of the official explanation. This reflects that there is a serious trust crisis in our society between the government and the public. Given that, the government should put more effort into addressing the misconceptions through public education. But, at the same time, Hongkongers should refrain from viewing the issue through tinted glasses. Using mobile apps to assist in disease prevention is not uncommon. For example, Singapore launched a similar app called TraceTogether , which has played an important role in the city’s prompt reaction to the pandemic. In the long run, introducing a reliable system to monitor people’s movements seems to be necessary if Hong Kong is to open its borders. Politics aside, we should modestly learn from the success stories of other countries to better improve public management, especially when we have long planned to develop as a smart city with a rich application of digital technology. Gu Cheak-kai, Sha Tin Is zero-Covid the ‘aspiration of our community’? Hong Kong’s Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan tells us that “we remain steadfast in the ‘zero-Covid’ strategy” (“Hong Kong’s zero-Covid strategy has the community’s overall interest at heart”, October 29 ). Oh dear. Breaking news: we already have zero-Covid in Hong Kong. There have been hardly any local cases for over six months. And how do we benefit from this? Our borders are closed and arrivals face up to three weeks of quarantine – if they can get a quarantine room. Our world-class airport is a ghost town. Mask wearing is required in almost all public areas, indoors and outdoors. Social distancing continues, with the Oxfam Trailwalker cancelled for the third consecutive year, and uncertainty over postponed international sports events such as the Sevens and Hong Kong Open . How exactly is this in line with “the aspirations of our community” which Professor Chan claims to divine? Chan takes no account of the costs of zero-Covid, including the negative impact on the futures of schoolchildren and the impact on mental health. I’m sorry Professor Chan, but zero-Covid is not my “aspiration”, and, I suspect, nor is it the aspiration of “our community”. Peter Forsythe, Discovery Bay Covid-19 strategy is a tragicomedy Professor Sophia Chan, secretary for food and health, opines that “‘zero-Covid’ also puts us on a par with our neighbours and provides a basis for resuming cross-boundary travel and reinvigorating our economy”. Really? Can she then define the timeline for the resumption of cross-boundary travel, given the city has met all the previous targets set and, and when the miraculous revival of Hong Kong’s economy will happen, given that her support of the medically unproven 21-day quarantine has severely hit business in the city? Shakespeare said of his players, “Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced it to you, trippingly on the tongue. But if you mouth it, as many of your players do, I had as lief the town crier spoke my lines.” How apt the Bard could foresee the tragic comedy the residents of Hong Kong are so unfortunately subject to. Mark Peaker, The Peak Leave surfers at Big Wave Bay alone I was dismayed to note that a ban on surfing would appear to have been implemented at Big Wave Bay, Shek O, and that surfers were being fined on the spot for taking part in a water sport they love. When I was at Shek O main beach on October 22, there was no one in the water, whereas Big Wave Bay was full of people of all ages enjoying the waves. The local shopkeepers were doing a good trade in board rentals and snacks. This is their livelihood. I know of a local doctor who recommended surfing as an antidote to the pressures that many are feeling at this time. This would seem the most inappropriate time to take away an activity which is enjoyed by many, especially when the government is promoting sports for the community at large. Might I suggest that Big Wave Bay be designated as a surfing beach and those not wishing to be around surfers frequent the many other gazetted beaches on the south side? Let’s not take away an important outlet for people’s happiness and well-being. Gillian Tong, Pok Fu Lam Simple solution to Taiwan’s conundrum Might a solution for Taiwan’s status be for it to cease claiming nationhood in return for 50 years as an autonomous part of China, with a formula for arming itself proportionate to the level of armaments targeting it? (“What does Hong Kong’s experience with ‘one country, two systems’ really mean for Taiwan?”, October 17 ) Patrick Brady, California, US