Yesterday, Hong Kong lifted its week-long quarantine at the Metropark Hotel in Wan Chai where a Mexican swine flu patient had stayed. Even with -- touch wood -- no one else infected by that single patient here in Hong Kong, the fear and caution, even paranoia, over swine flu that has overcome much of the populace here is understandable: Hong Kong is considered SARS' "ground zero", after all.
The Sever Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) pandemic -- which struck in 2003 -- had a 17% fatality rate in Hong Kong, killing 368 people, many of them health care workers. In memory of them, there was erected a Fighting SARS Memorial in the Tai Chi Garden of Hong Kong Park, one of the city's centrally located green lungs.
However beautiful it is, let's hope that that memorial won't need to have a companion any time soon... So, my message this week to my fellow Photo Hunt participants (and other visitors to this blog): Stay healthy wherever you are, people!
33 comments:
We will certainly try to stay healthy... all they're telling us to do is stay home and wash our hands...
I hope there will not have to be more memorials such as the one you have shown this week...
Nevertheless, we must remember the ones who had SARS... and your post is perfect for this week's theme!
Great post! And I love that memorial and join you in hoping for no other such memorials.
That's a great take on the theme. That is a beautiful memorial and hopefully there won't be the need for more. Hope you have a happy weekend.
Yes, we learned a lot from the SARS epidemic and hopefully it will ensure that such a thing will not happen again since we try to contain these things from the start.
The sad part is that so many who died were health care workers who were endeavouring to help those affected.
Good post YTSL. Have a great weekend.
I can imagine the relief of those being quarantined the past week.
Will be quite a memory for them in their lives!
What beauty and strength conveyed by these sculptures. A noble thought.
Mine’s In Memory of a great time to be repeated!
Very apt under the circumstances.
Superb take on the theme. It is such a striking but beautiful memorial,
Such a beautiful memorial, with such simple and elegant lines. Hong Kong is entitled to be nervous.
Sars was scary and a memorial dedicated to those who didn't survive is a good reminder to take care during flu season.
Aloha!
Great take for this week's PH theme!
Happy Weekend to you!
http://upcountrysmiles.com
Cindy O
I love the different take on this week's theme. I remember SARS.
My entry is posted:
http://cowardscorner-nitwit1.blogspot.com
Well done post of the theme. Thanks for that. Mine is ready too.
Beautiful tribut!
Hi ancient one --
I do think it's a good time to remember the victims of SARS and exercise caution, even without descending into paranoia.
Hi Candi --
Thanks!
Hi Carver --
Thanks, and happy weekend to you too.
Hi JMB --
Thanks, and hope you have a good weekend too.
Hi Napaboaniya --
I, too, can imagine the relief. Would hate to be in quarantined people's shoes!
Hi RJ Flamingo --
Nobility is the word for me with regards to the sculptures. And sadness of course. :S
Hi Aileni --
Yes, at this time and in this place, it's hard for me to think of a more appropriate subject for me to highlight for this week's Photo Hunt.
Hi jams --
Thanks. The amazing thing with this memorial is that it's in a tai chi garden! In a way, it helps because this means that it's in a quiet section of a sometimes very busy, noisy park but it really was something I unexpectedly came across as a result.
Hi Dragonstar --
Exactly re Hong Kong being entitled to be nervous. At the same time, as some people have remarked, because of its SARS experiences, it may be the place that's best equipped to deal with another pandemic... :S
Hi JyLnC --
I think people need to take care all year, not just during flu season... :S
Hi Cindy --
Thanks!
Hi NitWit1 --
I remember SARS too -- but not with the same intensity as those who were here in Hong Kong in 2003.
Hi Gengen --
Thanks, and yep, have visited your Photo Hunt entry. :)
Hi Sandi --
Thanks!
Unsung heroes... health care workers. I, too, share your hopes.
A very timely reminder. I never knew such a memorial existed. Very poignant.
Beautiful memorial. And as everyone else has said, great focus for this theme.
Yes, this is a great take on the theme. And what a beautiful memorial.
I thought it was so over the top the way tourists were 'detained' for a week in their hotels. But I totally understand the 'fear and caution' posed by the authorities considering their past experience with SARS. Anyway, nice take on the theme. Mine is up http://www.mirasblog.com/2009/05/photo-hunt-15-in-memory.html
this post serves as a good reminder to everyone to stay hygienic at all times.
Thanks for sharing this photo and timely thought provoking memorial. You stay healthy too.
I remember SARS...ugly happening and true its not nice seeing another memorial.. :( Great installation btw...
We haven't had any cases in my state, but I'm worried.
we have been living in fear of swine flu too slthough no cases in M'sia so far.
Good selection for the theme - it helps us to pause and remember.
Great reminder...
These are such wonderful pictures and sentiments.
Mine's up,too
http://sandyben.blogspot.com/
A touching memorial... yes, we must just remember to use our common sense when it comes to our health. Great post. Mine is up here.
We have nothing if we do not have our health. What a nice memorial to those who help protect that precious commodity. Thanks for sharing.
http://healingmagichands.wordpress.com/2009/05/09/photohunt-in-memory/
Hi JC --
Health care workers definitely have my respect. Especially those such as nurses who have the less "glamorous" jobs.
Hi Tara R --
I didn't know the memorial existed either until I finished a hike one day with a visit to Hong Kong Park. Am glad I found it -- and not only because of this Photo Hunt either!
Hi "Anonymous" --
Thanks for adding in your comments even though I don't know your name (or preferred cyber-handle).
Hi Deborah --
Thanks and yes, I too think it's a great memorial.
Hi Mira --
Exactly -- and consider the irony that the hotel that housed the first SARS patient in Hong Kong was also a Metropark-run one! (BTW, speaking of hotels, there's one in Hong Kong called... Mira! ;b))
Hi Life Ramblings --
Yup re staying hygienic. And also generally fit too!
Hi Annie --
I'm trying to stay healthy. My usual way: eating well and hiking regularly! (Went hiking again yesterday!!)
Hi Mirage --
Thanks and BTW, tried to make a return visit but couldn't get onto your site/blog. Hopefully, like with TN Chick's, it'll be back online before too long!
Hi Alice Audrey --
Stay alert but don't get paranoid! Over here, have a couple of friends who I think are panicking way too much for their own mental health!
Hi Bengbeng --
Hope swine flu doesn't travel to Malaysia.
Hi Debbie --
Thanks and have to say that the choice of this week's Photo Hunt theme has been good: like you wrote, it helps us to pause and remember.
Hi Sandy --
Thanks... though, hmmm, I only have one photo up for this week! ;)
Hi srp --
Common sense is, alas, often times actually uncommon. So I think it'd be better for people to read up with regards to healthy practices and then try to abide by them more than usual!
Hi healingmagichands --
Hear, hear re our being nothing without (good) health. Thus when you have it, it really is something to be thankful for and treasure.
In Belgium we start to make jokes about this flu hysteria ! It's pure paranoia. Every year people die of "normal" flu and far more than this one. 200 and something death in the whole world ! It is ridiculous.
Thanks for sharing this picture. These were indeed fearless and great people who sacrificed their lives for others.
Have a great week and thanks for stopping by.
Hi Gattina --
Agree that some perspective is needed re swine flu. Have to admit that just today, I told off a friend because she heard a rumor, assumed it was a reality and didn't check before spreading it on. Paranoia and hysteria, to my mind, may be more infections than swine flu.
Hi Snoopy the Goon --
You're welcome and thanks for appreciating.
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