Social News
Written by: Chen Shuxia
2020-09-19 10:00
Last update date: 2020-09-19 10:00
The National Testing (Universal Community Testing Program) has ended, with a total of approximately 1.783 million people participating.
However, the number of people participating in the project was not as expected, which may be related to insufficient publicity methods. At least a group of ethnic minorities said that the subtitles of the demonstration short films filmed by experts invited by the government had to open the plain text version for interpretation, whether it was attractive or informative Communication is greatly reduced.
Some social workers believe that under the epidemic, there is insufficient information and non-Chinese speaking people are marginalized. Some ethnic minorities do not even know that there have been more than 100 cases in the community, and some ethnic minorities have doubts about national testing or even have no intention of participating.
A government spokesperson pointed out that the Universal Community Testing Program registration system does not make statistics on the ethnic groups of the participating citizens; the Home Affairs Department stated that it has produced three commonly used ethnic minority language publicity videos and will also provide information about the testing program. Translated into 8 languages and communicated to service users through ethnic minority groups and support organizations.
The implementation of the national test lasted for two weeks, and a total of 1.783 million people participated, accounting for less than 25% of the total population of Hong Kong.
(Profile picture)
There are about 650,000 ethnic minority populations in Hong Kong. Excluding more than 390,000 foreign domestic helpers, there are still 263,000 people, accounting for about 3.8% of the total population of Hong Kong.
The test results are only available to ethnic minorities with inconvenience in Chinese and English
Li Chunjian, a medical practitioner and social worker in charge of ethnic minority outreach health services, said that he is aware that some ethnic minorities have doubts about national testing. "They are not used to doing such tests, and they may not accept the use of cotton swabs to squeeze their noses." Some people mistakenly believe that after being tested. , But once and for all, "It will take a round of explanations to do things, as well as a reminder that after the test, you must remember to take preventive measures." He also pointed out that there is no translator in the testing center to provide assistance. The work includes sending the test results via SMS, which is only displayed in both Chinese and English, which is also inconvenient for ethnic minorities. "Although it is very subtle, it is important."
Medical practitioners have cooperated with ethnic minority organizations for two consecutive years to promote outreach health services, including training ethnic minorities to become ambassadors, cooperating with full-time healthcare professionals, conducting regular health checkups for ethnic minorities, and promoting health care information. Cases are also provided follow up.
He pointed out that when performing health services or physical examinations for ethnic minorities, using the mother tongue as a medium of communication can also establish mutual trust. "Using English (communication) is arouse (inducing) not trust."
He also pointed out that the information on the epidemic is complex and changeable, and it is difficult to understand for ethnic minorities. Another policy is too one-size-fits-all, without special care for designated groups. For example, he pointed out that home quarantine was more frequent in the early stage of the epidemic, and the bureau did not take the initiative at that time. Taking care of the lives of ethnic minorities requires prayers, etc., and requires religious leaders and groups to fight for it.
Xiong Baixiang (left) has been distributing epidemic prevention kits to ethnic minorities and regularly distributing epidemic information for months. The two next to him are Nepalese.
(Provided by interviewee)
Another social worker in charge of ethnic minority services, Xiong Baixiang, said that there are regular and spontaneous distribution of anti-epidemic kits of masks to about 1,000 ethnic minorities in multiple districts in Hong Kong, as well as information related to epidemic prevention, including details of the national testing plan and civil disputes. "Package", only two people replied that they would be tested, and some people indicated that they would not participate. Other minorities did not know that the plan was voluntary. "Ask me if it is mandatory."
Social worker: He has poor information
Xiong Baixiang said that the accessibility of information received by ethnic minorities is low. For example, he pointed out that during the third wave of the epidemic in July, they were distributed with daily confirmed digital information and epidemic prevention tips. At that time, more than 100 cases had been ongoing for a while. Time, but then received a lot of replies, "I was surprised that there were hundreds of confirmed cases," reflecting the obvious delay in receiving information from ethnic minorities. He also pointed out that he had received enquiries from Pakistani youths afterwards. How to classify the imported cases from local and foreign countries? "It is not because it is unwilling to contact and understand, but because of the lack of information."
The anti-epidemic page set up by the Hong Kong government has a variety of minority language options, but not all information is translated.
(Screenshot of "Tongxin Anti-epidemic" official website)
The promotional video has a translation, but the text will be provided separately
Check the homepage of the Race Relations Section of the Home Affairs Department. The department has uploaded a promotional video filmed by ethnic minorities, but only covers three languages including Hindi, Urdu and Nepali. The other involves government experts Liang Zhuowei and Xu Shuchang The short video of the appeal, with subtitles displayed in Chinese, and a link attached by the agency. The manuscript translated in minority languages is attached separately, but it is not embedded in the video. The same practice is also seen in the promotional booklet, the color design of the Chinese version, and the minority The American version only has simple notes and no illustrations.
On the contrary, the epidemic page features 9 ethnic minority languages and a variety of special promotional posters with pictures and texts explaining the latest epidemic prevention measures. However, the daily epidemic information and the list of buildings visited by the confirmed cases only display bilingualism in Chinese and English, and no Set up minority language translation, etc.
As for the national testing registration website, only bilingual options are available.
The homepage of the Race Relations Section of the Home Affairs Department uploads a publicity video filmed by ethnic minorities, but only covers three languages including Hindi, Urdu and Nepali.
(Screenshot of the webpage of the Race Relations Section of the Home Affairs Department)
Zhuo Wenbao, the project manager of Rongle Club, pointed out that the IACM has distributed national testing information through minority social welfare agencies, and the agency has also shared it with minorities. However, this time no minority inquiries have been received and the relevant participation rate has not been grasped. .
She continued that many government measures and policies in the past failed to classify and count ethnic minorities independently. “The results are so difficult to evaluate the effectiveness and the publicity is sufficient.” She also pointed out that the minority groups contacted by the organization Among the descendants, they are more concerned about the arrangements for the resumption of classes for their children and the suspension of Chinese learning. She also mentioned that many parents have difficulty communicating with the school due to language barriers.
The Home Affairs Department replied that in order to promote the popularization of the community testing program to ethnic minorities, it has translated the content of the testing program brochure and the "Experts Accepted Testing" video produced by the Information Services Department into 8 ethnic minority languages (Indonesian, Hindi, Nepali, Punjabi, Tagalog, Thai, Urdu and Vietnamese), uploaded to the webpage of the Race Relations Unit for public reference.
In addition, the IACM has also produced three more commonly used ethnic minority languages (Hindi, Nepali and Urdu) promotional videos and uploaded them to the website, and through ethnic minority language radio programs and ethnic minority groups , Disseminate relevant information and appeal to ethnic minorities to participate in the testing program.
According to the department, the eight ethnic minority support service centers also upload relevant information and promotional videos to the center’s Facebook page and webpage, and communicate the information to service users through WhatsApp and email.
Individual support service centers also arrange staff to assist ethnic minorities in making appointments for testing.
▼Citizens and officials' participation in the National Testing Program ▼
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