Opinion | China coronavirus outbreak: the plague of fear and prejudice could be just as lethal
- The panicked buying of protective masks and hoarding of food in Hong Kong is a reminder that we should protect ourselves against a contagion of fear, and the rumour-mongering and xenophobic behaviour it triggers
Hong Kong’s leading microbiologist and infectious diseases expert Yuen Kwok-yung last week urged Hongkongers to stay home as much as possible for the next 14 days. With residents beginning to return from their Lunar New Year travels to the mainland, the city was bracing itself for more potential cases of the Wuhan coronavirus infection. On top of that, there is also a shortage of protective face masks.
Less than a day later, thousands were lined up in front of pharmacies and retail stores, some overnight in the cold, to try to buy masks.
Those queuing were risking their health, not just for braving the cold weather. By congregating in large crowds, they were putting themselves at risk of infection.
It is difficult not to be affected when panic shopping and hoarding appears to have spread across the city. It’s not just face masks, hand sanitisers and household cleaning products that are running out, but people have also been emptying supermarket shelves to stock up on food, including rice and instant noodles.
When people are preparing for an apocalypse, perspective stands no chance against getting that last can of spam. Fear is contagious. Overstocking provides a false sense of security over uncontrollable circumstances.