Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa, while acknowledging that the impact of atypical pneumonia on Hong Kong's economy is long-term and profound, has pledged on different occasions that Hong Kong SAR government will come up with a series of measures to overcome difficulties brought by atypical pneumonia, which is the top priority for the SAR government for the time being.

Tung has also required the Hospital Authority to mobilize all sources to provide sound environment for the medical staff who are taking care of the patients infected with atypical pneumonia, with Tung visiting the hospital himself.

The Legislative Council, in a swift movement, voted to earmark HK$200 million (US$25.6 million) for the battle against atypical pneumonia. The fund, according to a spokesman with the SAR government, will be used to finance curing of the patients, controlling infection of the virus and educating the pubic on the knowledge relating to the virus.

Moreover, the 18 district councils in Hong Kong have each volunteered HK$20,000, for a total of HK$360,000 (US$46,2000), for the medical staff working in the front line against the disease to purchase necessities.

Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing, to show his appreciation for the hard work and bravery of the 50,000 medical staff in Hong Kong who are dealing with the highly infectious disease, has donated one million oranges specially ordered from the United States.

To show its support for campaigns combating atypical pneumonia outbreak, Eagle Star Insurance Group, one of the top 10 insurance companies in Hong Kong, has decided to provide HK$1 million to local organizations combating and preventing atypical pneumonia through education, research or health programs for the local community.

Peter Schelling, managing director and CEO of Eagle Star Insurance Group, said, "As a corporate citizen, we see the urgency of providing timely assistance to community members amidst the unfortunate outbreak of atypical pneumonia. For this reason, we proactively canceled this year's Annual Convention which was scheduled to take place in France and have decided to allocate the budget to this meaningful course instead."

To cater to the needs of the primary and middle-school students who are currently studying at home as classes are temporarily suspended to prevent the outbreak of atypical pneumonia, some internet education service providers in Hong Kong have put on on-line programs to those students free of previous charge.

The Social Welfare Department has put up an emergency special assistance program to those badly affected by the disease. The department had granted 264 applications a total sum of HK$220,000 by April 9, according to Sandy So, the department's information officer. The department's hotline service has also answered some 200 calls on atypical pneumonia since March 28.

In addition, various organizations in Hong Kong have donated things like face masks and medicine to the public. People, in their parts, send post cards, notes and emails to their friends and the medical staff to express their condolence and support during this period of hard times.

Besides fighting with the disease, the SAR government is also pondering measures to stimulate the economy once the disease is under control. Financial Secretary Antony Leung noted that the SAR government will stage measures to ensure the recovery of the economy and to support the industries seriously hit by the disease to tide over.

A large number of Hong Kong performers attending the 22nd Hong Kong Film Awards on April 6 also called on the public to "love Hong Kong" and unite together in the fight against atypical pneumonia for a better future.

(Xinhua News Agency April 11, 2003)