Source:
https://scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3083701/lessons-learn-hong-kongs-great-mask-giveaway
Hong Kong/ Politics

Lessons to learn from Hong Kong’s great mask giveaway

  • Though Carrie Lam’s Covid-19 strategy has won her international applause, greater transparency is critical to regaining public trust in her government
  • In the CuMask+ saga, the government must be fair to both the companies it chose and the public feeling left in the dark amid too many missing links
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s Covid-19 strategy has won her international applause. Photo: Robert Ng

The road to hell is always paved with good intentions.

The old adage is proving true for the Hong Kong government’s highly publicised scheme to distribute free reusable masks to every resident.

The controversy over the CuMask+ scheme must be hugely frustrating for embattled Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, whose administration is now facing concerns and accusations ranging from possible conflict of interest, since the commissioned manufacturers did not go through proper tender procedures, to health concerns raised by some experts questioning the copper filter components. Even the design of the masks has been mocked over a resemblance to underwear, and critics have also raised concerns about the risk of personal data leaks through the government’s online registration system.

The dramatic shift in the public mood has been swift and telling, initial enthusiasm giving way to suspicion and politics with Lam’s opponents interpreting it as an attempt to “buy” support for the pro-establishment camp ahead of the Legislative Council elections in September.

In the case of the CuMask+ controversy, the government has left too many missing links in informing the public, opening up the discussion to wild guesses. Photo: May Tse
In the case of the CuMask+ controversy, the government has left too many missing links in informing the public, opening up the discussion to wild guesses. Photo: May Tse

So what went wrong? Are these attacks just part of the usual opposition to almost anything the government does these days, or has it really messed things up?

To be fair, Hong Kong can be proud of its world-class handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, regardless of who deserves the credit – Lam’s leadership or the people themselves. Of course, credit also goes to the city’s well-established and sound public health care system, together with its exemplary emergency response protocols developed through lessons learned from the severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) epidemic of 2003.

All this played a significant role in arousing greater public awareness to take all necessary personal precautions to fight the disease, and wearing masks has been a key protective step.

Lam’s U-turn in late March to close Hong Kong’s borders with mainland China, later expanding the shutdown to major land, sea and air check points, along with strict social-distancing rules, spared the city from widespread infection.

Her strategy won her international applause as well – CNN recently acknowledged that Hong Kong’s success could even provide “hard-earned lessons” to other cities around the world.

Yet, before sharing its success story, Lam’s government is learning another hard lesson from the CuMask+ saga – give people the truth and the whole truth to avoid an unnecessary political backlash.

In the middle of a public health crisis, information can be the source of fury, panic or hope. If it was lack of available scientific data that triggered the panic during the great influenza pandemic of the early 19th century, it is the overabundance of information with the proliferation of social media today that is proving just as counterproductive.

More than 2.5 million Hongkongers registered for the free masks within the first three days of their launch. Photo: May Tse
More than 2.5 million Hongkongers registered for the free masks within the first three days of their launch. Photo: May Tse

In the case of the CuMask+ controversy, the government has left too many missing links in informing the public, opening up the discussion to wild guesses.

The fact that more than 2.5 million Hongkongers have registered for the free masks within the first three days shows strong public demand. Greater transparency is critical to regaining public trust in this government.

How effective, technically and scientifically, are the design and materials of these masks? Under what conditions have the manufacturers been selected and why? These are some legitimate questions being asked.

The government must be fair to both the companies it chose and the public feeling left in the dark by officials’ toothpaste squeezing-style responses so far.

The free masks may be a little late, in a sense, but it’s never too late for greater transparency.

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