Since the fifth wave of the epidemic, Hong Kong people's epidemic prevention expenditure has surged.
Some grass-roots families said that under the epidemic situation, the work was not enough, and the economic income of the family plummeted, but the burden of anti-epidemic materials was heavy. As the Education Bureau announced that students must take a rapid test after the resumption of classes, or even "one test a day", the additional expenses incurred are about 2,000. "It's equivalent to buying groceries a month," hoping that the authorities can provide support to ease the financial burden.
A survey showed that 70.3% of the respondents' family economy was affected by the epidemic, especially grassroots families. Another 58.2% of the respondents agreed that the expenditure on epidemic prevention materials was putting pressure on the family economy.
The organization responsible for the investigation said that the society has resumed work in an all-round way, and called on enterprises to bear the cost of rapid testing for employees to tide over the difficulties together. In addition, the Education Bureau should strive for preferential prices and uniformly order rapid antigen test kits to reduce the financial pressure of grassroots families.
Mrs. Wu (middle) said that if the authorities require a daily rapid test after the resumption of classes, the extra cost at home will be about 2,000 yuan, "which is equivalent to buying food a month." Chen Jiamin on the left, Mrs. Hu on the right.
(provided by the institution)
Mrs. Wu said that there are old and young in the family, including two 8 and 11-year-old children. Her husband, who is engaged in the catering industry, is the main source of income for the family. However, since the epidemic has been underemployed for a long time, the average monthly income is more than 10,000 yuan, and she lost her job at the end of February this year. , I can only re-enter the workplace in the near future, "but I have to take a day off every three days." I will work part-time as a domestic helper to help make up for the family.
She mentioned that since the epidemic, the expenditure on anti-epidemic materials has been heavy. Her family was diagnosed at the end of February and called the government hotline for help after reporting the case. You have to wait, and you have to wait for a week with no one answering."
She pointed out that she has never received any confirmed supplies from the Hong Kong government. "Someone from the Department of Health spoke to me a few days ago, because the epidemic is so busy, but we have already returned to the sun." However, due to concerns about the risk of re-infection, Affecting the young and old at home, her husband will take a quick test before starting work. She also estimates that if the authorities require a quick test every day after the resumption of classes, the extra household expenses will be about 2,000 yuan, "which is equivalent to buying food a month." It is expected that the school can book at a preferential price to reduce the financial burden.
Mrs. Hu has three children, aged four, six and 16. She pointed out that because the children are young and worried about the risk of infection, she has only gone out once since the New Year, and she goes out to buy food once every two weeks. , "They were looking at the park on a bench and asked me if I could go out? But I saw a lot of sequelae after I was infected with the news, so I didn't dare to go all the way."
She mentioned that after the resumption of classes, it is necessary to strengthen epidemic prevention for her children, which will cause financial pressure. "Three children, 80 mosquitoes a day (purchasing quick test kits), almost 2,000 mosquitoes a month, and there are masks? We need to use two.” We hope that the Hong Kong government or the Education Bureau can strengthen support for grass-roots families.
Kindergartens, primary schools and international schools will resume classes as soon as April 19.
The Education Bureau announced that a quick test will be required after the resumption of classes. Details will be announced this week. (File photo)
From the 2nd to the 7th of this month, Youth New World successfully interviewed 276 families with questionnaires and telephones. The results showed that 87.6% of the respondents were worried about the infection of themselves or their family members, and 70.3% of the respondents' family economy was affected by the epidemic. Families are especially serious, with 58.2% of the respondents agreeing that the expenditure on epidemic prevention materials has put pressure on the family economy.
However, only 44.5% of the respondents agreed that there are sufficient support services for the diagnosed patients and their families in the society.
Youth New World quoted data from the Census and Statistics Department that between November last year and January this year, the average household size was 2.7, and the median monthly household income was $28,000.
According to this calculation, each person uses two masks a day and conducts a quick test, each of which is calculated at 1 yuan and 15 yuan. A family spends about 1,400 yuan per month on masks and quick tests, which accounts for the monthly income. About 5%, and the purchase of other anti-epidemic materials such as disinfectant hand sanitizer, disinfectant paper towels, bleach and other disinfection and cleaning supplies has not been calculated.
Chen Jiamin, Director General of Youth New World Volunteer, said that as the Hong Kong government recognizes and promotes rapid antigen testing, and the society resumes work in an all-round way, he calls on enterprises to bear the cost of rapid testing for employees and to overcome the difficulties with employees. Industries such as cleaners, property management, etc. distribute rapid test kits to reduce the burden on grassroots employees.
As for the quick test arrangements for students after class resumption, Youth New World suggested that the Education Bureau should strive for preferential prices, order rapid antigen test kits uniformly, and distribute them to students through schools to relieve the financial pressure of grassroots families.
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