Public Policy and Administration
The outbreak of COVID-19 epidemic leads to a shortage of surgical masks in Hong Kong. Shoppers have to queue up to buy the surgical masks for hours. The price of the surgical masks has risen substantially due to the short supply and huge demand. It is not easy for the old people and low-income group to get a mask under such circumstances. A mask has become an essential protective item for everyone.
- List the conditions with an example a government should intervene to correct a problem in society? [6%]
- Government can intervene to control the supply of surgical mask in the market through ‘Regulation’ and setting up ‘Public Enterprise’. Give 2 reasons for supporting Regulation, and 2 reasons for setting up Public Enterprise; [8%]
- Give 2 reasons for NOT supporting Regulation and 2 reasons for NOT supporting to set up Public Enterprise. [8%]
- Your view on what policy government should adopt to manage the situation of short supply of surgical mask. [3%]
A group of about 100 people in Hong Kong launched a protest on Wednesday against a government plan to use a public housing estate in Sha Tin as a quarantine centre amid the coronavirus outbreak, now known as Covid-19.
Residents were frustrated and angry over the lack of consultation. Debbie Law, a mother of two, said: “No one notified us until the SMS came in yesterday.”
Other residents living in Fo Tan were among the protesters, with some worrying their health would be in danger. There is no assurance that police will be on guard to prevent anyone from the quarantine site coming out.
A retired couple who also lives in the area said they were “not blindly opposing the government”, but were unsatisfied with the lack of transparency. If the government told us earlier and assured us with a basket of preventive measures against the outbreak, there will be less opposition.”
District Councillor Mak Tsz-kin claimed he saw some flats in the estate already furnished with tables and had fans installed, but authorities did not confirm this. Slamming the government for not sharing any information with the district council, Mak said he would hold another protest in the area on Sunday, appealing for all residents to join and force the withdrawal of the plan.
- What is the difference in dealing with External Relations between traditional public administration and New Public Management (“NPM”)? [6%]
- A public manager is assigned to be responsible for dealing with External Relations. Why is it necessary for the public manger to deal with External Relations? [6%]
- For the purpose of achieving the result of using the public housing estate as quarantine site, what are the External Constituencies you would suggest the public manager to contact? [6%]
- What is the information to be delivered to the External Constituencies so as to win their support? [7%]