Opinion | China coronavirus: in a time of quarantine, fear and isolation, Hongkongers need to connect with the disconnected

During Sars, suicides hit a record high, with elderly cases spiking as quarantine measures disrupted social activity

This time, let’s make mental well-being a priority, help those in quarantine stay connected with loved ones and reach out to the old, weak and disconnected

Reading Time:3 minutes

Published: 6:30am, 29 Jan 2020Updated: 6:32am, 29 Jan 2020

Hong Kong is facing new challenges as the Year of Rat dawns. In a society still struggling with social unrest amid anti-government protests, the new Wuhan coronavirus outbreak has made the situation worse. With more than 4,500 infections in China alone and at least 106 deaths, the worst, it seems, is yet to come.

The new coronavirus is still very much unchecked and is continuing to spread locally, regionally and globally. Quarantine measures are necessary to contain the disease by reducing contact between those who have been infected and those who are susceptible.

If each infected person can infect at least two others, as is currently estimated, then, according to the epidemic threshold theorem, we need to quarantine at least 50 per cent of the population to ensure the epidemic will die down. If this number – known as the mean reproductive number – is higher, more stringent measures are needed.

The Chinese government has closed down some cities, including Wuhan in Hubei province, cancelled several public and social events, closed public parks and extended the Spring Festival school holidays. These moves are important as they help to reduce the contact rate. Disconnecting the infected and the susceptible helps to break the chain of infection and slow down, if not stop, the spread of the epidemic.

Likewise, Hong Kong’s authorities have cancelled many social events, including the festive fireworks display and a football tournament, and closed Ocean Park and Disneyland. Also, visits and volunteer services at hospitals have been stopped, and the government has told civil servants to work from home and urged the private sector to follow suit.

However, it is important not to overlook the community’s mental well-being while fighting this epidemic. The disconnection and isolation measures may have the unintended consequence of inducing loneliness, fear and panic in the community, especially for those vulnerable and older.