Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form . Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification. With Hong Kong mired in its worst-ever wave of Covid-19, the chief executive election has been postponed to May. Even though most Hongkongers cannot vote in this election, the city’s next leader is key to our future in the post-pandemic era. I would like to express my expectations for the next head of Hong Kong. First, the next chief executive should formulate a long-term and effective pandemic policy to return our lives to normal. From the first to the fifth wave, the government’s slow response to the latest developments on the epidemic front has become a matter of public censure . In the long run, the city needs to adopt the “living with the virus” approach. The “dynamic zero infection” strategy may be efficacious before a high vaccination rate is reached. But as the next term of government begins in the second half of this year, our vaccination rate should have already exceeded 90 per cent. Living with the virus will be possible by then. We should not let social distancing measures bring economic activity to a standstill again. A regular and compulsory vaccination policy, mandated by legislation, should be enforced, with a comprehensive contingency plan to cope with sudden outbreaks so that the city can respond to them swiftly. Second, the new government should take a more authoritative approach. The social unrest , though suppressed by the pandemic, may arise again. Previous governments were too soft on illegal violent acts and their leniency was taken for granted by protesters. They mislead the public that negotiation is possible even in cases of violence. As such, the present government has lost its voice and influence. As a guardian of the city, the next government needs to take up a more parental role. Whenever people’s actions do not comply with laws and morals, the government should put its foot down immediately. This is more effective than simply teaching ethics and national knowledge in class without any real context. Fortunately, last year’s cabinet reshuffle , with the addition of those previously from the disciplinary forces, can help nurture this kind of authority. Yet, the head of government must still be a role model to the public. The next leader should also be open-minded, not bound by previous administrative experience, and improve the city in an innovative way. Hopefully, an imaginative candidate will become our future leader. Alison Ng, Olympic