Page 17 - Fifth Wave News Today

Paul Chan defends his rental deferral scheme, which has come under fire from developers and landlords who say they will run into cash-flow problems.

Readers discuss the pros and cons of government plans to convert more public spaces into Covid-19 isolation facilities, the power of community outreach, the need for frank talk on mainland border reopening, and more transparency on projects funded by Jockey Club.

Readers discuss regulations for community isolation facilities, the chief executive’s juggling act over mass testing, the startling emergency alert sent out to the public, proper use of consumption vouchers and policy priorities amid the pandemic.

When Andrew* caught Covid-19, it was not the symptoms of the disease that turned out to be the most harrowing part of the experience.

The shift in strategy was only the latest in a couple of policy U-turns in the government’s fight against the worsening fifth wave.

‘When we were hit with the fifth wave, the vaccination rate among the elderly was still pretty low when compared with mainland China, Singapore and some European cities,’ Carrie Lam said.

Readers discuss the shortcomings of a haphazard approach to a dynamic situation, and the importance of clear communication with the public at a time of crisis.

Readers discuss the potential health and environmental risks of used self-test kits for Covid-19, seniors struggling with contradictory information, and the UN agreement on curbing plastic pollution.

Prison visits have been suspended since early February as coronavirus tears through inmates and staff, making letters only way for families to keep in touch.

‘We won’t do it for the sake of doing it, or do it in order to fulfil the order [from the mainland],’ Lam said of the testing push. ‘It should be done to lead the city out of the pandemic.’