Fwd: Give Hong Kong more time to heal from extreme weather

[Simon H WANG]

https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/2164556/it-took-typhoon-show-how-united-hong-kong-stands-offices-could-have  

published on 18 Sept 

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Simon H Wang <simo...@hkbu.edu.hk>
Date: Mon, Sep 17, 2018 at 6:56 AM
Subject: Give Hong Kong more time to heal from extreme weather
To: Letters to the Editor <let...@scmp.com>

 The Hong Kong Observatory replaced the storm signal no. 8 with the strong wind signal no. 3 at 5:20 am on September 17, as the super tropical storm Mangkhut departed from the city.  As a result, most people in Hong Kong had to go to work even though the city may need more time to heal from the extensive damage caused by the tropical storm.  Due to the heavy damage on the overhead lines, for example, the MTR could only offer limited services for the East Rail and Light Rail lines, making it difficult for many people living in the New Territories to commute. 

Both the Education Bureau and a number of UGC-funded universities have decided to suspend the classes and activities to ensure the safety of the teachers and students.  Shouldn't the government also consider suspending all the commercial activities for the city considering the aftermath of the extreme weather?  

The Hong Kong Observatory can only issue warning signals based on the weather conditions without taking into account the needs of the community to recover from the extreme weather.  The Hong Kong Government should be given the statutory authority to suspend all the commercial activities in case more time is needed for the city to resume normal operations after extreme weather or other unusual events. The Legislative Council should also consider passing a law to compensate the public with an extra day off when the people have to stay indoor on a Sunday or a bank holiday due to extreme weather.  

Simon Wang

Kowloon Tong

--

Simon Wang, Ph.D.

Lecturer

Language Centre 

Hong Kong Baptist University 

Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong 

http://lc.hkbu.edu.hk/staff_simon.php  

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