Chocolate | The Memories of SARS
Chocolate, who just graduated and entered society 17 years ago during the SARS epidemic, compares the situation today to that of SARS in her memory.
“I still remember how lifeless it was during SARS, and the interpersonal distance became farther apart. This time the whole world is going down together, but people still have confidence in Hong Kong, and our community is standing tightly together to fight the virus.”
Journalist: Tea Leaf
Illustrator: Lui
Once upon a time in Hong Kong, there was a new virus called SARS
Back in 2003, I had just graduated from secondary school when SARS broke out without a warning. The economy was already struggling; many stores decided to close or were forced to drastically cut costs in order to stay afloat. You could get a bowl of wonton noodles for $8, an afternoon tea set for $10, and rent a 650 sq ft flat on Seymour Road for merely $12,000.
I had just switched jobs when the outbreak started. I felt so blessed to have a job with a $6,000 - $6,500 monthly salary, as employers were very stringent in their offers. I was the perfect employee—saying yes to any request from my boss, while keeping my head down. Perhaps a lot of my bodily strain came from then, since that was when Hong Kong’s overtime culture started to take hold.
SARS felt like the end of the world, and many thought it was the end of Hong Kong. A lot of people emigrated, pulling down housing and stock prices. Expats, especially those with kids, were escaping Hong Kong like it was World War Z. Despite countless signs of the lack of confidence, the government kept trying to reassure us and the world that business was usual.
17 years later, we encountered coronavirus. What changed?
17 years later, we have yet another outbreak originating in China. The Chinese government is again downplaying the severity of the outbreak and even clamping down news. The information we have about the virus is pathetically the same as we had in 2003, even in this information age. As a result, there is widespread panic. It is hard to blame those who are panicking as they do not have enough information to predict what might happen. Unfortunately, the Hong Kong government’s reaction is a complete 180 from the one before. Back then, we mocked Mrs. Tung’s (spouse of then Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa) “political show” as she visited residents impacted by SARS. In hindsight, at least someone was actively trying to make positive changes.
I lived in a public housing estate, where the hygiene situation improved considerably during SARS—both the Food and Hygiene Department and the Housing Authority hired staff to clean the estate constantly. Corridors were rubbish-free, hand sanitiser dispensers were at every entrance. Even during commute, the MTR would give out free masks and encourage passengers to use them, even if the masks did not meet certain medical specifications, at least they were there. That was a stark contrast to the lack of any practical measures taken by the government today. Facing the coronavirus, streets are left uncleaned, there are no deep-cleaning arrangements for public housing buildings, and those hand sanitiser dispensers have become a mere accessory to the building without the key ingredient in it.
Despite the government’s inaction, Hongkongers are ready to face the virus where our government falls short. I still remember how lifeless it was during SARS, anyone on the street without a mask or found coughing would be socially alienated, and the interpersonal distance became farther apart. This time the whole world is going down together, but people still have confidence in Hong Kong, and our community is standing tightly together to fight the virus. Be they conscientious individuals or local businesses, everyone is doing their part. Those able to source masks or hand sanitiser are doing so to make sure everyone has it. There are countless heartwarming stories of people helping each other out. However, in face of the imminent community outbreak and the danger of the medical system collapsing, the Hong Kong government is not only indecisive, but they don’t even take responsibilities! They learned absolutely nothing from our painful experience of SARS. The so-called anti-epidemic measures are totally insensible, causing small businesses to close down even sooner in the midst of recession. Not only that, they even infringe on our personal freedoms in the name of fighting the disease! I believe in Hongkongers — we will persist while helping each other out. We will save our own city!
“I am Chocolate, I am a HKer.”
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