Coronavirus outbreak: striking Hong Kong medical workers put patients’ interests first

I am writing in response to the letter “Medical staff on strike must not forget their oath” (February 5, 2020). This movement is not an act against the Hippocratic oath or the Nightingale pledge. In fact, it is an act that does these justice.

The oath or pledge represents a lifelong commitment and dedication to care for patients to the “best” of one’s ability. Getting the best care would mean being offered the best medicine and medical advice for those infected with the novel coronavirus, not to mention for those who have scheduled surgeries or suffered injuries.

However, the novel coronavirus is no ordinary illness, considering the strong possibility of a widening outbreak. As a result, minimising the number of incoming visitors is also best care for patients.

As for the idea that medical professionals have legal and moral obligations to support the authorities, it is obvious that all medical staff are obliged to follow orders when it comes to procedures for dealing with and treating patients effectively. However, we must not ignore their professional obligations as medical workers.

Instead of blindly following orders, they should also question whether such orders are the best way to care for patients. Instead of focusing on short-term measures, they should prepare for a long-term solution, which is to prevent more people from becoming infected.

The Hong Kong government should be putting the lives of Hong Kong residents first, instead of standing its ground and leaving no space for negotiation.

Cassandra Chan, Lam Tin

Close contact with the coronavirus? No thanks

I am writing in response to your report, “China’s envoy to France hits out at striking Hong Kong medical workers” (February 6).

I do not agree with the Chinese ambassador to France, who said it was “shameful” for Hong Kong medical staff to go on strike in a push to shut the border with mainland China amid a deadly coronavirus outbreak.

I must clarify that I do not support the medical workers’ strike either, as their first duty is towards the patients waiting for them. Nevertheless, the government really has been ignoring the demands of the frontline medical workers who have long urged the government to close its borders.

Our Chief Executive Carrie Lam is doing poor prevention work and still saying a full closure is not feasible. Hong Kong medical workers have no choice, as they feel nothing can safeguard them.

Ambassador Lu Shaye thinks it is shameful that Hong Kong medical workers decided “not to go save lives”. He thinks Hong Kong should keep in close touch with the motherland. But close contact with the motherland should not include close contact with the contagious coronavirus. I am puzzled as to why medical workers should have to clean up the mess Lam made.

Pinky Chan, Tseung Kwan O