Archive for March 31st, 2003

Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!

Published by
James
at 23:55 HKT Mar 31, 2003 in News. 0 Comments

I don’t know about other governments around the world, but this Government of the HKSAR doesn’t know the first thing or realizes the utmost detrimental important point of the household confinement quarantine order which started 06:00 this morning at Block E of the Amoy Gardens apartment complex for the next 10 days.

Since the outbreak of the SARS in Hong Kong, the Amoy Gardens has had a total number of over 200 cases out of over 600 total cases in Hong Kong, and most of which were, surprisingly, confined within units 7 and 8 on or above the 9th floor of Block E. Since the quarantine this morning, the authorities has reported 64 new cases at the Amoy Gardens today!

Last Friday, when the Chief Executive of the Government announced a set of procedures in hopes to curb the outbreak, there were over 300 total cases and over 80 of which were from the Amoy Gardens. But the procedures were set to start today.

The quarantine procedures of the Amoy Gardens baffles me. The whole point of any quarantine is to restrict the confined people from having any contact with anyone from the outside of the confinement. However, at 06:00 this morning, the authorities sent out a large number of police with no protective wear except just a medical mask on, and medical personnel with regular doctor’s white gown, plastic hair cover, and medical mask, to hand out notices of the quarantine order door to door. During lunch, the authorities sent up another team to deliver lunch boxes door to door. At night, the authorities had all the tenants go down to the lobby to collect their dinner boxes from the organizers!

I’ll be surprise if this plain stupid procedure did not have every single tenant, some police, plus some medical personnel and other staffs working within the building infected in the next 10 days.

Just what exactly are our goals anyway? Are we out to suppress the growth of the virus, or to incubate it with the citizens of the region?!

Thoughtful Procedures

Published by
James
at 16:23 HKT Mar 31, 2003 in Health. 1 Comment

In thinking of ways to lower the chances of spreading the SARS, many suggested one should wear a mask, wash hands, cloths and beddings often, and use separate utensils for dishing out food at the dining table.

I thought of a couple of other things…

1/ Do not scrape food off the spoon or spatula with the rice bowl, as traditionally we all touch our months with our rice bowls when we eat rice. This could contaminate the spoon or spatula and in turn the next bowl.

2/ When we pour drinks, do not touch the bottle with the edge of the glass or cup, as this could contaminate the bottle and in turn the next glass.

These steps are necessary even at home, as we can’t be sure if we have been infected at work.

Please add your suggestions to the comments section.

View on Wearing a Medical Mask

Published by
James
at 2:07 HKT Mar 31, 2003 in Health. 0 Comments

A numbers of us have been discussing in a local newsgroup on the views of wearing medical masks during this active period of the SARS epidemic. Several webbers have stressed the importance of a mask in protecting oneself and others. Others have suggested the possible health hazards on wearing one. While some stressed that wearing a mask or not is simply a personal choice.

Here is my view…
Continue reading ‘View on Wearing a Medical Mask’