Combat Sars with tough laws and self-responsibility

The outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) is a disaster that came as a shock. As Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao puts it, the disease’s catastrophic damage will be even greater than the massive floods in 1998.

Owing to the inadequacy of a crisis-management system and a combination of both subjective and objective factors, Beijing was slow initially in responding to the situation and this has led to serious consequences.

The surge of late in the number of confirmed and suspected Sars cases in the Chinese capital speaks volumes about the gravity of the crisis and the necessity for decisive action.

The sacking of China’s health minister and Beijing mayor shows that the Chinese government is taking the deadly virus seriously. It also demonstrates the resolve of the Chinese leadership to get on top of the problem.

Yet this is only the first step in the right direction. There are many more problems that the Chinese government has to overcome and many areas where it has to beef up its defence.

With the government’s decision to shorten the week-long May Day holiday to discourage travel, the Beijing municipal government has banned shopping malls from promotional activities during this period - an important measure to avoid large crowds and to minimise the spread of Sars.

Bearing in mind the uncertainties over the virus, to control the movement of people is an appropriate measure.

What I find puzzling is that the media in China is still preoccupied with reports on the importance of personal hygience, discussions on under what circumstances should one wear a mask and what medicine can help boost one’s immunity.

There is still little emphasis on the vital issues - to ban Sars patients from moving around freely, avoid the gathering of crowds and regulate the movement of people.

It is said that a lecturer who is taking care of a Sars patient continues to teach at the university. Some patients have taken cabs to the hospital, some have been hospital-hopping and have also gone to public places.

Some undergraduates who have had close contact with Sars patients have even flown back to their hometowns.

Don’t these people have an inkling of the folly and danger of what they are doing?

Since we are not exactly sure what the virus is and how it is transmitted, everyone is a potential carrier of the disease. People in the badly-affected areas should be responsible to themselves, others and society at large.

They should be aware of the need to keep away from public places and activities. When they suspect they may have been infected with Sars, they should take the initiative to report to the authorities and to quarantine themselves.

To fight Sars, a sense of social responsibility on the part of the people and tough laws from the government are both needed. As the Chinese saying goes, “troubled times require tough action to restore order”. When the nation is facing a crisis, the people should understand the need for drastic measures.

In any country where human rights are respected, the freedom of movement should be protected. On the other hand, to safeguard public health is a legitimate reason for curtailing certain rights. This is stipulated in a number of United Nations’ human rights documents.

China should use whatever power under the law to take tough measures to stop the spread of Sars.

Taiwan has introduced incentives for people who suspect they may have Sars to come forward and the government is also empowered to transfer Sars patients for treatment at designated hospitals when necessary.

In Singapore, strict home quarantine orders are issued on those who are at risk and they can be fined if they break the orders.

Should China not take a leaf from their experience and make effective use of strict laws?

I think severe punitive actions should be taken against people who know they have the symptoms of Sars and yet have no qualms about infecting others, people who hide information from the authorities, and people who prevent Sars patients who are related to them from seeking treatment.

The “rule of law” has already been incorporated into the Chinese constitution as a guiding principle for the government. This is further reinforced by the “rule by virtue”. The two are, so to speak, a perfect combination.

To battle the Sars crisis, China should make good use of both draconian laws and the people’s sense of social responsibility.