Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said at a press conference on the epidemic yesterday (17th) that there is a strong feeling that the public's tolerance for epidemic prevention policies has declined, and that financial institutions are impatient with the isolation situation in Hong Kong, so a series of measures, such as a no-fly order, entry measures, A mid-term evaluation will be conducted for national testing and class resumption, and a comprehensive report will be made next week.
This is the first time since the fifth wave of the epidemic that Carrie Lam has publicly admitted that the epidemic prevention policy is overwhelming.
At the beginning of the fifth wave, "dynamic clearing" became the main theme of the anti-epidemic. The government continued to tighten social distancing measures and foreign import policies. However, Omicron has a strong spread. It is difficult to control the epidemic by simply replicating the anti-epidemic strategies of the first four waves. The economy and people's livelihood, as well as Hong Kong's international status, have a major impact.
Based on the analysis of several politicians and scholars, the most important thing for the government is to tell the public where the way out of the epidemic prevention policy is, and there is room for fine-tuning of individual restrictions on premises and entry of foreigners. , to revive the economy.
Some people also lamented that the epidemic prevention policy is full of drawbacks and needs to be reviewed early in the morning, but it seems that under the banner of "political correctness", the government has been very slow in "turning around" and has not been able to make appropriate adjustments in a timely manner.
Dynamic clearing is "acclimatized" in Hong Kong?
Politicians sigh "two ends cannot reach the shore"
Since the outbreak of the fifth wave of the epidemic, the SAR government has adopted the slogan "dynamic clearing" in the mainland. The mainland's official "People's Daily" and "Xinhua News Agency" have published articles emphasizing that "dynamic clearing" is the appropriate choice, and "clearing" in the future And "coexistence" has become an ideological dispute, and it is difficult to rationally discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the two.
However, prudent politicians analyze the difficulties behind the analysis: Because the logic behind the "dynamic clearing" in the mainland is that when a local case appears, severe administrative measures should be taken quickly to extinguish the epidemic. In theory, a confirmed case should be strictly tracked and isolated. The medical system for mild and severe cases must be managed.
However, the objective conditions of Hong Kong and the Mainland are obviously different. The price behind the "indiscriminate admissions and isolation" is that a lot of manpower and material resources are expended in case tracking, admission and treatment of patients without urgent needs, and the medical system is paralyzed. With limited resources, some real Patients in need of care do not receive adequate support.
The person continued to point out that the government is trying to implement dynamic clearing, but the facts are in front of us: Hong Kong cannot enjoy the security of "clearing", but also faces the heavy social and economic costs behind "hard food". shore".
The figures also show that the Hong Kong government's "dynamic clearing" effect is unbelievable: as of March 16, Hong Kong's "average number of deaths from new coronary pneumonia in the past 7 days" (calculated per million people) reached 37.41, leaving other countries in the world behind. Or regions, much higher than the European and American countries described as "lying flat coexistence", and even far higher than the death peak in Europe and the United States at the beginning of the epidemic and the outbreak of the Delta virus strain the previous year (see the figure below).
The figure above shows the "average number of deaths from new coronary pneumonia in the past 7 days" (in terms of per million people) in Hong Kong, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Singapore since the epidemic. Hong Kong reached 37.41 on March 16, 2022, which is the highest in the world and far It is higher than the death peaks in the United States and the United Kingdom at the beginning of the epidemic and when the Delta strain broke out.
(Screenshot of "Our World in Data" website chart)
Citizens continue to be tired of epidemic prevention and social elites frequently speak out
In addition to the ineffectiveness in preventing and controlling the epidemic, the government has implemented strict social distancing measures. Many listed premises have been closed for nearly two months, restaurants and retail businesses have plummeted, and the public has become "anti-epidemic fatigue". Just flocking to the beach to "discharge", Carrie Lam also admitted that the number of people's trips has picked up slightly recently.
Recently, many elites from the traditional establishment, including Sheng Zhiwen, chairman of Lan Guifang Group, Qing Hong, SC, Zhang Bingliang, former Secretary for Transport and Housing, and Ma Shiheng, former Secretary for Financial Affairs and the Treasury, have not been able to comment on the epidemic prevention policy.
Among them, Zhang Bingliang pointed out that it is an objective reality that the virus is lingering around the world. If the epidemic prevention policy is "open and close", it will increase uncertainty. If the city is closed for one or two years, "people will not be able to live without the virus." Hong further pointed out that it is time to develop a roadmap for the future of coexistence with the new crown virus.
Yuan Guoyong proposed that if the vaccination rate of citizens can exceed 95%, international flights may be resumed as soon as possible.
(file picture)
Yuan Guoyong advocated the announcement of the "Roadmap to Return to Business"
The latest government expert adviser Yuan Guoyong and two other experts wrote an article in the newspaper, pointing out that the epidemic will eventually subside, and the Hong Kong government must announce to the public the plan and roadmap for Hong Kong to return to normal as soon as possible, so that the public can regain confidence and hope in Hong Kong. If the vaccination rate of Hong Kong citizens can exceed 95%, we can consider returning to normal around the summer, such as gradually lifting the epidemic prevention measures, and resuming international flights as soon as possible.
The remarks of these social elites actually point to a similar phenomenon: the government's anti-epidemic policy lacks "rules and rules", and the "dynamic clearing" that follows the mainland seems like a young child in Handan, who can never say "What's next" after abiding by the anti-epidemic policy.
As a result, for a long period of time, not only Hong Kong citizens felt resistance, but even the international community began to feel overwhelmed by the no-fly order and the long-term isolation policy.
In this context, no matter what specific measures Carrie Lam refers to by "taking a bold step", at this moment, the epidemic prevention policy has reached an important intersection, and the government will not think about how to adjust it in the next step.
Di Zhiyuan: Citizens start "anti-epidemic rebellion"
Di Zhiyuan, chairman of New Thinking and a member of the Social Welfare Legislative Council, agrees that the biggest problem at present is that the public does not know the entire government's deployment, and it is difficult to cooperate.
He described the current state of citizens as not only "anti-epidemic fatigue", but even "anti-epidemic rebellion". In the final analysis, they cannot grasp "what the government wants to do." , in a state of "waiting", which is definitely not a good thing for Hong Kong.
He hopes that when the government announces the direction of the new epidemic prevention policy next week, it will provide a clear plan and goals, and will do what it says it will, to demonstrate the government's determination, "First of all, there will be appeal, otherwise it will be a waste of time, and the citizens will have no doubts about the government. I have no confidence, and I will not cooperate with you. Hong Kong citizens are already obedient, but the problem is that the government can’t do their homework, and the citizens don’t know what effect it will have after abiding by the epidemic prevention policy.”
Tang Jiahua advocates moderate regulation of outdoor activities
Tang Jiahua, a member of the Executive Council, pointed out that he personally believes that the current epidemic prevention policy does have room for fine-tuning, and the financial industry is the most affected. If the entry requirements for people in the financial industry are relaxed, it can be considered.
For example, he pointed out: "At present, Hong Kong citizens have been given two injections. Starting from the 6th and 7th day of home isolation, if they test negative for two consecutive days, they can go out on the street. So why can't foreigners? , has nothing to do with foreign input.”
In terms of local social distancing, he believes that "Hong Kong citizens have endured too hard these four months". Outdoor activities such as beaches and sports have a certain degree of relaxation. Chances are higher.
He pointed out that the above comments have been reflected to the Chief Executive in private.
Tian Beichen advocates orderly relaxation in April, otherwise the economy will be sluggish and funds will flow out
Tian Beichen said that in reality, the mortality rate of Omicron for young people and the elderly who have been injected is relatively low, and it is expected to further prevent death cases with oral medication, so the number of confirmed cases may not be a matter of "dead people". The current isolation from the outside world, the sluggish local economy, and the lack of quality of life for the citizens, not only have no road map, but can be described as "the walking dead".
He agrees with Yuan Guoyong’s statement in principle, and even thinks that the return to normal plan should be launched together with the first phase of consumer coupons after a full-scale test in April, “(After the test) the infected are separated from the non-infectious. Open, continue to live as usual if there is nothing, and wait for it to return before going out.”
Tian Beichen emphasized that adjusting the epidemic prevention policy is not the same as taking the "coexistence" route, but reopening airports and various premises in an orderly manner. As long as the number of confirmed cases continues to drop, fine-tuning can be continued. It is impossible to wait until there are no local cases. Policy needs to "cross the river by feeling the stones".
In addition, the mask order should continue to be strictly enforced. As long as someone is seen in a public place without a mask, it will be strictly enforced to prevent the spread of the virus.
Ge Peifan has doubts: it may cause more elderly people to be infected
Ge Peifan of the Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong pointed out that the current epidemic situation is still severe, and there are still tens of thousands of new cases every day.
She is particularly worried that once more elderly people are infected by the opening, the medical system will be overwhelmed, and she believes that nothing is more important than saving lives.
▼Saigon in the fifth wave of the epidemic on March 15▼
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Cai Ziqiang: It is more difficult for the Hong Kong government to change its policies than before
Cai Ziqiang, a senior lecturer at the Department of Politics and Administration at Chinese University, said that in the past, when the SAR government adjusted important policies, "people's grievances" were one of the important considerations, but under the National Security Law and the new electoral system, there is no need to worry about citizens taking to the streets and the election of the establishment. Affected, looking around the political circles in recent months on the anti-epidemic policy, they are all based on patriotism and less consideration for local people's reactions.
He pointed out that under such a political situation, Hong Kong will not be able to come until Beijing realizes that Hong Kong may experience the withdrawal of talents, capital outflow, and its role in the overall national economic situation will be affected, and the mainland itself has begun to "relax" and brewing adjustment policies. There is room to change the direction of major policies, so "turning around" will be more difficult than before.
Some pro-democracy activists privately pointed out that the new electoral system and political situation have eliminated the previous bipolar political debate of "establishment vs. pan-democrats", and democrats have "institutionally died," but the main body has only become "politically correct" and "non-political". Right" battle.
In the fight against the epidemic, without the checks and balances of the democrats, not many people put forward opinions different from the "main theme", so that obvious problems in the policy have not been corrected in time.
Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor: I strongly feel that the tolerance of citizens and financial institutions is declining. Next week, I will explain the measures to adjust the epidemic situation. Mainland netizens question Hong Kong's ineffectiveness in fighting the epidemic. I haven't said anything about this day's announcement. Early next week, Zhang Zhigang will be counted on many crimes by Carrie Lam: Every dynasty still exaggerates that officials' negligence of duty is implicated in the mainland epidemic.
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