More dedicated to a sense of community
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05/30/2003
With the number of SARS cases on the Chinese mainland now decreasing, and Shanghai set to remain relatively "SARS-free," it looks as if the measures put in place by the government along with the diligent actions of the district and neighbourhood authorities have begun to work. Is this the perfect example of an effective bureaucratic system and social consciousness?Once the Chinese Government admitted the problem of SARS, it immediately began putting measures in place and filtering down guidelines through the well-established administrative "layers" within China, until the advice reached everyone. Long before the Shanghai Municipal Government set out the official guidelines, companies and individual housing groups had begun to take action, insisting that employees and residents remain in quarantine for a period of 14 days, if coming from affected areas. With the introduction of the official guidelines, the Shanghai Municipal Government has reinforced this message and strengthened the resolve of the people to combat SARS. Admittedly, during this process of "filtering-down the message," there is room for error and misinterpretation. There is currently still some confusion and inconsistency in implementing the "quarantine" guidelines by separate enforcing bodies and certainly several cases of over-zealous interpretation resulting in "false" quarantine being imposed. However, these guidelines are being standardized. Alongside the respect for official regulations and advice, there is also a far greater sense of community responsibility in Shanghai than in British cities. People here watch out for themselves, but also each other and are quick to report if someone is doing something they should not. The concept of neighbourhood committees, responsible for each housing area, is well developed and an integral part of life. Though this is something that is very difficult to adapt to, this involvement in other people's lives and a willingness to follow advice and instructions for the common good, is something which I believe in no small part is, and will continue to be, a major contributor in fighting this disease. In contrast to Britain, where there would have been a barrage of complaints, protests and appeals if such restrictions were introduced, here the attitude is simple, "it's for the good of the people so we accept it." In a country with a population of 1.3 billion, is there really a better way of protecting everybody?
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