#Strike
Leading Microbiologist Yuen Kwok-Yung: Medical Staff Go on Strike because Many Precautions and Measures Are Ignored by the Authorities

In a press conference held at 18:08 on Feb 2, the Hospital Authority Employees Alliance (HAEA) pointed out that no "dialogue" was possible as government officials refused to attend the meeting. The absence of Chief Executive Carrie Lam meant that talks had already broken down. (Read: https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/16463)

Therefore, the HKEA officially launched the strike approved by their members after voting on Feb 1. The HKEA also clarified that they had not received any invitation to meeting from Secretary for Food and Heath Sophie Chan.

Meanwhile, Hospital Authority (HA) held a press conference and estimated that thousands of medical workers might go on strike on Feb 3. HA Chief manager Cheung Tsz-fung announced the procedures for patients to rebook their scheduled appointments; while HA Chief Executive Ko Pat-sing claimed that "colleagues would be responsible for their behaviour" and that some private medical doctors would join the public hospitals on part-time, locum or other basis.

Known for his contribution to the fight against the 2003 SARS outbreak, Yuen Kwok-yung, leading microbiologist and professor at the University of Hong Kong, said in a radio programme on the same day that it was unjust to accuse medical staff going on strike of being irresponsible or scared of death. Yuen pointed out that the majority of medical staff go on strike because of the authorities' inaction and ignorance to long-time problems such as the overloading wards in public hospitals.

Yuen urges the authorities to answer the demands of the medical staff and the public, which include adequate supply of protective gears for all, controlling the flow of people between Hong Kong and China.

Source: RTHK; Now News
#Feb2 #HealthCrisis #ChinesePneumonia
#YuenKwokYung #HKEA #HA

Hong Kong Employees Alliance On Strike: Pneumonia Outbreak is a Man-made Disaster by the Authorities
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/16469

#Strike
Hospital Authority Head Refuses to Meet Medics on Strike; Medics Vote to Resume Duty Next Week As Outbreak Worsens

While the strike organized by the Hospital Authority Employees Alliance (HKEA) goes onto its 5th and last day on Feb 7, the Hospital Authority (HA) has yet made any concrete response to the demands of the medics, which include adequate supply of protective gears and complete border closure.

On Feb 7, the medics on strike gathered at the Hospital Authority Headquarter Office (HAHO), seeking a meeting with HA Chief Executive Dr. Tony Ko. Instead of meeting the medics, HA locked elevators and blocked staircase to stop the medical personnels on strike from accessing.

Medics refused to leave and occupied several areas in HAHO. Disgruntled civilians joined in, urging HA management to understand the work environment of the frontline staff and to handle the risk that frontline medics have been exposed to every day.

Despite this, HA issued a statement, stating that the gathering in HAHO was unauthorized and had been affecting other staff in the building, hence putting their lives in danger. HA asked the medics to leave the building and take note of their own safety when staying in the building. HA also 'reminded' those heading to the gathering to be mindful of potential risks.

Editor’s note:
In the eyes of the Hospital Authority, it is considered “an unauthorized gathering” where the medical staff being HA employees “forced themselves in” while demanding to meet the HA management being the employer.

Some frontline medical staff were on their knees, some even fainted, in order to get an audience with Dr. Ko, the HA Chief Executive. This was, however, considered as “severely affecting their operation”.

Having waited for 5 hours for an honest conversation about masks, hazmat suits and clean uniforms is considered “endangering other staffers” , in the eyes of the HA management.

Source: RTHK #Feb7 #HKEA #HA

Medical Worker Fainted, Hospital Authority Refuses Dialogue
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/16787