EditorialReview of virus crisis must be carried out whoever leads Hong Kong
- At stake is not only government accountability, but also Hong Kong’s defence mechanism that is badly in need of improvement
Hong Kong does not stand out as a role model in terms of the quality of its governance. But there exists a political culture that allows the government to learn from its mistakes, as reflected in the various reviews and inquiries launched by the executive authorities or the legislature.
This is especially important when the government positions itself as being accountable to the people.
With the city still struggling to control the coronavirus pandemic after more than two years, the need for a full investigation into the saga would have seemed like a foregone conclusion even before the onslaught of the fifth wave.
So far, more than 7,000 people have died with Covid-19 infections. The wealth of inadequacies exposed in the ongoing crisis makes such a review all the more necessary.
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A recent Post report has put the problems into perspective. From complacency and a lack of preparedness to failure to make the best of Beijing’s support and coordinate cross-departmental efforts to deliver solutions, the Carrie Lam administration has had its fair share of criticism.
The Hospital Authority has also come under fire for its inadequate capacity and failure to reduce fatalities, while low vaccination and high infection rates at care homes for the elderly have raised fears.