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Posted on 04/12/2003 6:18:21 AM PDT by Lessismore

Additional SARS quarantine measures come into effect today. Family members of those confirmed with atypical pneumonia are required to stay home for up to 10 days.

It's another step in the right direction although some would argue it should have been brought in much earlier, to nip the virus in the bud by ordering high risk groups to confine themselves.

Singapore implemented the same measure much earlier. Unfortunately, for this government, it has always been keen to take time to balance out all the pros and cons of any measure, without knowing, seemingly, that the problem doesn't stand still to wait for its decision.

The government has also, finally, bowed to public pressure to release locations of infected cases on the Department of Health website. The government's refusal to do so before, citing reasons of privacy and that it might cause unnecessary panic, was mind-boggling. Instead of averting panic it contributed to it, because the public was kept in the dark about basic and vital information.

The government does not seem to share the public's concern, despite Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa's most recited slogan: ``I share your pain, I feel your pulse.''

Residents of Telford Gardens have grounds to complain. After being told yesterday that five cases of SARS were confirmed there, they then discovered the first infection occurred more than a week ago. The residents should have been told earlier. The early release of information to those who might be affected can help allay fears and encourage the taking of precautionary measures and avoid unnecessary panic - which seems to be spreading at a much faster rate than the SARS virus itself.

The government must endeavour to communicate, and communicate well with the public. People rely on government to provide information at times of crisis. When that fails, people panic and turn to other sources of information which could be misleading and bring more negative impact.

An unofficial website compiled by university graduates, listing all locations where SARS infections have occurred, was viewed more than 650,000 times in just nine days before the government agreed to release its official data. The government should by now have the pulse of the public.

Tung and his ministers also ought to know they are not only dealing with a health crisis here, but a political crisis as well.

Fronting the cameras at times of crisis, the public has heard Tung intone: ``I have full confidence ...'' Confidence doesn't come from a few slogans, it comes from action, decisive action. The results will speak for themselves. Thumping the table and reciting the slogan won't do the trick.

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