Social News
Written by: Cui Bi Zheng
2019-12-07 19:02
Last updated: 2019-12-07 19:02The police's extensive use of various weapons when dealing with anti-revision demonstrations has aroused public concern over health. In recent months, citizens, groups, members of Parliament, and doctors have been asking the government to disclose the tear gas and water cannon components of the "blue water". However, the Hong Kong Government did not respond positively.
The latest edition of the editorial of the international medical journal "Lancet" refers to the continuing social unrest in Hong Kong and the urgency of assessing the impact of the incident on the health of Hong Kong citizens. The editorial explains that violent clashes have injured many people, and the widespread use of tear gas and water cannon vehicles in densely populated urban areas is of concern to the health impact, but when doctors cannot know the composition or risks of weapons, it is difficult to know Advice on how to deal with it and how to give public health protection. The editorial also pointed out that the incident may cause mental health problems, emphasizing the need to establish a systematic, transparent and sound medical record, which can not only assess and manage the unknown health effects, but also restore trust.
Last night, HKU speech therapy students launched a rally against the use of tear gas. (Photo / Photo by Yu Junliang)
The "Stab Needle" editorial pointed out that the social unrest caused by the revision of the fugitives regulations has evolved into a fierce conflict between demonstrators and law enforcement agencies, and weapons such as tear gas cannons and water cannon trucks have been used in large numbers. As social unrest continues, "Needle" considers it urgent to assess the impact of the incident on the health of Hong Kong citizens.
Breaking youth trust in public health care causes a sharp increase in untreated injuries
The editorial stated that many people were injured by violent clashes. Police with injuries claimed that they were poorly treated by public hospitals and were biased against the police; doctors were concerned about head injuries caused by truncheons or rubber bullets. And because of the breakdown in Hong Kong youth's trust in the public health system, the number of undocumented and untreated wounded has skyrocketed.
Tear gas can cause respiratory and eye discomfort. The picture shows that some citizens felt uncomfortable and vomited when they smelled tear gas. (Photo / Photo by Li Zetong)
Concerns about chemical hazards in Hong Kong are increasing
In addition, the "Needle" editorial pointed out that concerns about chemical hazards in Hong Kong are increasing. The editorial explained that tear gas can cause respiratory and eye discomfort, but it is widely used in Hong Kong, a densely populated city, and even affects residential buildings and at least one hospital. The liquid sprayed from the water cannon car contains unknown irritants, burning petrol bombs or tires, or it may bring potentially toxic by-products, which will have unknown effects on health. The editorial points out that if doctors don't know the composition or risks of a weapon, it's difficult to know how to deal with it and how to give the public health protection advice.
The editorial went on to say that the public may face mental health problems in the face of large-scale violent incidents. Conflicts will cause harm, and will cause long-term damage to the health of Hong Kong citizens. It will also fuel the turmoil. In order to assess the impact of the incident on the health of citizens, a systematic, transparent and sound medical record must be established, which can not only count and manage the currently unknown health impacts, but also rebuild trust.
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