How can we sweeten the vaccination program?
If you cannot force someone to do something, perhaps you can try to motivate them and make them happier.
The subject in question is Covid-19 vaccination, which the Hong Kong government is trying every way to boost up in preparation for border opening.
Ironically while some countries are struggling to get more vaccines, Hong Kong appears to have more than people want because the city is comparatively more successful in controlling the pandemic than rest of the world, and thereby a victim of its own success as the low chance of infection means there is less urgency for people to go and get a shot.
Of course the bad publicity from cases of death or people suffering from negative reactions after taking a jab has made the general public more hesitant.
Meanwhile, although Hong Kong is good, it is not good enough for its neighbours – namely Macao and mainland China, for them to open up their borders unless Hong Kong achieves zero infection.
At present, close to one million residents out of a total of more than 7 million have taken the first dose.
Since last weekend, the government found three infected cases after launching a mandatory test for all 370,000 foreign maids.
It went even further to require the maids to get injection before they started the new contracts, but the Carrie Lam administration appeared to back off and asked Secretary of Labour Law Chi-kwong to reconsider after a strong protest from the Philippines against the controversial policy, which could have turned into an unwanted international crisis.
Incentives may work better than mandatory measure to get more people vaccinated. For example, Sino Land is offering two days of paid holidays to staffs who complete the two-dose vaccination process. The developer’s shopping malls are also offering coupons to customers who are vaccinated.
It is expected local developers and other big corporates would follow suit with more creative incentives to help boost the city’s vaccination rate.
Such incentives are also common in the United States. New Jersey is offering a “shot and beer” for residents to get their first vaccine dose in May, according to the New York Times. Maryland is offering a US$100 payment while Detroit is giving out US$50 prepaid cards.
Even critic David Webb came up with an idea for a VacciLottery, which gives away jackpot at different milestones to attract more early takers. Hong Kong people love Mark Six, don’t they?
Well, our government officials probably need to be more creative.
-- Contact us at [email protected]
-
Smart prison to address challenge of high staff turnover Dr. Winnie Tang
The Correctional Services Department (CSD) has faced numerous challenges in recent years, including ageing facilities, serious staff turnover. To overcome these challenges, one must start from
-
No church in the wild Brian YS Wong
A recent uproar over the government’s ostensibly wanton killing of wild boars – has rocked the city. The uptick in number of altercations between boars and humans has prompted the administration to
-
Covidiocy Neville Sarony
It really is time for the adults to impose some basic common sense in the kindergarten that poses for a government. Where in the world would you have a major institution run by the inhabitants of the
-
Enriching local talent pool key to innovation Dr. Winnie Tang
To make Hong Kong an innovation hub, the government has invested more than $130 billion. In addition, in this year’s Policy Address, the Chief Executive also mentioned the annual quota of the Quality
-
Will TVB ever return to its glory days? Ben Kwok
A Chinese proverb said, “Thirty years on the east bank of the river, and thirty years on the west bank of the river”, meaning things are constantly changing and over the long run, it's almost certain
