Coronavirus: Hong Kong has flattened the curve but can it stay the course – or will imported cases and complacency derail efforts?
- The experience of Sars meant Hongkongers kicked into prevention mode much more quickly than others around the world when Covid-19 hit
- Can the supercharged anti-epidemic measures announced on Monday stop the city undoing its good work?
For the past two months, Sunny So has put on a surgical mask, clear, non-prescription glasses and a hat every time he leaves home.
The Hong Kong resident carries with him a hygiene kit with hand sanitiser, alcohol wipes and extra masks. His fingers never touch lift buttons directly.
The checklist of precautions provides So with a sense of security amid the city’s battle with Covid-19, the coronavirus-spread disease that has criss-crossed the globe with terrifying speed.
Hongkongers and others in the region have largely acted similarly, something many now credit with slowing down the rate of infection, or “flattening the curve” of the virus’ growth.
Chinese University respiratory medicine expert David Hui Shu-cheong believes fatigue over social distancing and other control measures could be behind some of the new infections.