Wuhan coronavirus fatalities, fears and resistance in Hong Kong

Surgical masks on sale along with oranges 

and dried foods at a Shau Kei Wan market stall

Hand sanitizers being sold at a market stall whose more usual items

include preserved duck, preserved sausages and root vegetables!

A second Wuhan coronavirus patient has died in Hong Kong.  Adding to the 2,006 recorded in Mainland China and one each in Japan, France, the Philippines and Taiwan, that brings the total number of confirmed deaths from the Wuhan coronavirus to 2,012 reported on the Johns Hopkins University tracking site as of today.  But even while Hong Kong currently has the second highest number of Wuhan coronavirus fatalities, its number of confirmed Wuhan coronavirus cases -- now up to 65 -- is still actually lower than Singapore's 81, Japan's 74 as well as Mainland China's 74,188. 

Early on, I wondered whether the government was hiding some cases; this particularly since Thailand and Japan, which lie further away from Mainland China than Hong Kong, announced their first Wuhan coronavirus cases before that which shares a border with Mainland China.  There also have been suggestions that Singapore may have a better standard of detection against the Wuhan coronavirus than Hong Kong. 

Latterly, I'm inclined to credit the lower-than-expected number to regular Hong Kongers' vigilance against diseases.  Some people might scoff or laugh at Hong Kongers' mask fixation but I reckon that, along with other preventative measures learnt from the 2003 SARS experience (including the washing of hands, use of hand sanitizers, etc.), is helping keep people in Hong Kong safer than otherwise would be the case.

To be sure, the desperation to ensure that one has an adequate supply of masks and other essential supplies has resulted in the disappearance from shop shelves in recent weeks of items including rice and toilet paper as well as masks and hand sanitizers.  The fact that the humble loo roll has become a rare and prized commodity in Hong Kong was illustrated by three armed robbers deciding to steal hundreds of rolls of what's not exactly an expensive item this past Monday!  And yes, Hong Kong has seen a spate of face mask thefts too: with 25,000 masks having been stolen in a single case  last month and more face mask heists having taken place this month.

From personal observation though, these sought after items are becoming available again.  Over the past few days, I've managed to restock my supply of rice (after getting down to having just a cup's worth!), toilet paper (after starting to worry when I got down to four rolls) and hand sanitizers (which I previously had only been able to come by thanks to a friend who had gone to Australia over Chinese New Year).  Even surgical and N95 masks are no longer super scarce -- though the prices (still) being asked for them still are seriously off-putting -- as in way above what they had been going for before Hong Kong had its first confirmed case of the Wuhan coronavirus. 

For all of their scarcity and high price, however, most Hong Kongers no longer venture outdoors without a mask on their face.  Indeed, I'd say that, in my area, mask usage is at around the 90-95 percent rate.  In contrast, mask usage appears to be lower in those parts of Hong Kong (such as Central or Soho) where Westerners -- be they tourists or expat residents -- are more likely to be found.  Alternatively put, Westerners -- even those who live in Hong Kong -- do seem far more reluctant to wear masks than the locals; with some arguing that face masks are just cosmetic rather than actually medically helpful, even though local medical experts have said otherwise.  

To be sure, I have seen some unmasked Asian people out on the streets of Hong Kong in recent weeks too.  If they are not in the company of similarly unmasked Westerners though, these individuals tend to be on the elderly or seriously eccentric side -- and given to other questionable habits such as spitting (be it rubbish bins or -- really ewww -- through the grates of storm drains) or smoking!  

In all honesty, I rather be on the side of the masked majority.  Better safe than sorry, I figure.  Also, if nothing else, putting a mask on surely can't hurt -- and, in fact, often helps to allay the fears of others plus communicate to fellow Hong Kongers that we are in this together.