Analysis by country of Hong Kong By Rachel Loh
Hong Kong's Past Experience Contributed
The public in Hong Kong immediately understood the severity of the disease and took action quickly because of experience with SARS back in 2003.
They were already accustomed to wearing masks and getting temperatures taken at public places. They used hand sanitizer and stayed indoors. The government also closed schools and universities, and offices sent workers home.
The virus seemed to be contained early March, so Hong Kongers resumed life, while maintaining caution and sanitation routines. Residents and students stuck overseas were now allowed to enter, so the cases surged up. Then the government ordered residents home, closed public entertainment places, and stopped admitting visitors for 2 weeks. Many border entry areas were closed. Physicians and residents wanted the border to be completely sealed, but this was not the case.
Issues The government refused to stop imports from China, because they said it would cause consumer panic, which would lead to hoarding so the labor union of hospital nurses and doctors went on strike in February.
There wasn't enough manpower to check on quarantining, so some infected people left home to shop and eat. The government tried to track and quarantine those exposed using bracelets, but the bracelets failed.
Not enough masks were provided, so places that produce masks were established and citizens imported or sewed their own. The government was inconsistent with mask instructions, which made the public skeptical toward the government.
However, the government did take other measures. University medical professors spoke daily on TV to tell the public to social distance. The government demanded bars to stop serving alcohol, although people were allowed to go to restaurants. There was a mandatory quarantine for people coming in, who had travelled to China in the past 14 days. Quarantine was eventually expanded to people coming from other majorly impacted countries. Residents had to measure their temperatures twice a day and recorded symptoms. They had about 1,000 screenings a day, and even tested people without symptoms. Hospital authority developed a deep saliva test, which lessened crowding at clinics and hospitals.
As seen in China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, experience with SARS has greatly helped the population immediately understand how aggressive and fast action would lead to a better, long term result. Only 45 cases were contracted in Macau due to the government closing 80% of the casinos, which is the main source of income for the population. Workers at the various resorts have also been continually checked for high temperatures, as well as the various residents of the hotels. There have been no deaths.
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