Steamers gift goes down well with Covid patients

Karson Choi Ka-tsan, a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, has donated 5,000 electric steamers to makeshift hospitals to give patients the option of hot meals.

The makeshift hospitals for Covid-19 patients are managed by the Security Bureau's anti-epidemic task force, and Choi has been working with the task force to improve conditions for patients while they are under isolation.

The donation came after Choi heard that more and more patients were being sent to the isolation facilities in recent weeks, resulting in longer waits for meals and some stuk with meals that had become cold.

"It is important for people under isolation to be able to eat a hot meal," he said.

Choi then started to communicate with the task force upon hearing the difficulties of people quaratined at the makeshift hospitals.

After evaluating multiple solutions, Choi decided to help install a user-friendly electric steamer in each isolation room for people to reheat their meals.

The first batch of steamers have been sent to the makeshift hospital in Tsing Yi on Tuesday, and they were received by Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung.

Tang thanked Choi for caring for and supporting Covid-19 patients at community isolation facilities as well as the bureau's anti-epidemic task force.

Choi said up to 5,000 steamers would be delivered by the anti-epidemic task force to patients.

The task force has also produced videos to teach people safety instructions and how to use the steamers.

This move has drawn praise from people in isolation over its practicality and thoughtfulness.

When the construction of makeshift hospitals was just completed, Choi, who was attending CPPCC meetings in Beijing, heard many children were being sent to the hospitals and offered to donate toys.

"Hong Kong residents are living a difficult life now and we all want to do our best to provide warm help for those who are suffering from Covid-19," said a task force member participating in the delivery of steamers and toys.

"We are grateful that there are people in the community who also care about the needs of people under isolation and even donate appropriate supplies. People staying at the makeshift hospitals can feel that they are not alone even if they are isolated.

"The virus is ruthless but there is love in the world."