But we should not be fooled by\u00a0Chinese authorities\u2019 trumpeting their achievement<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 their version of events rests at least in part on censorship and a cover-up of the outbreak. Beijing has swept under the rug the\u00a0suffering of people<\/a>\u00a0who\u00a0lacked access to medical care<\/a>\u00a0or other necessities as a result of strict quarantines by\u00a0censoring and detaining<\/a>\u00a0those\u00a0who decry<\/a>\u00a0the\u00a0government\u2019s failures and deception<\/a>. And authorities are now\u00a0rewriting the narrative<\/a>\u00a0about their role in the pandemic, and even falsely suggesting the virus did not originate in China. The World Health Organization\u2019s needlessly\u00a0lavish praise of Beijing<\/a>\u00a0has also helped the Chinese government whitewash its poor global image.<\/p>\n File photo: GovHK.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Flattening the epidemic\u2019s curve does not require authoritarian rule. In Taiwan, a country of 24 million people, the government responded rapidly, and so far, only 49 people have been reported infected. The government is monitoring individuals with Covid-19 and those exposed to them, giving people accurate information, and has set up hotlines for people to report suspected cases. Its digital minister responded to community initiatives and\u00a0set up a facemask app<\/a>\u00a0to ensure people\u2019s equal access to the product. The government sends\u00a0\u201ccare packages\u201d to people under quarantine<\/a>, including food, masks (labelled \u201cdon\u2019t panic, we\u2019ve got you covered\u201d) and support booklets.<\/p>\n Hong Kong, where fundamental rights have been under attack, is still a relatively open society, such that community action groups have sprung into action where policies fall short, including going so far as building a new mask factory. People have also been diligently practicing social distancing and handwashing. The densely packed city of 7 million has 134 reported cases. Both Taiwan and Hong Kong governments provide people with access to affordable public health care.<\/p>\n Photo: GovHK.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The spread of the coronavirus will test all governments and it is too early to say which will most successfully tackle it. But we should resist the urge to seek authoritarian solutions. Instead, we should endorse rights-respecting policies that promote free expression and transparency and that strive to take care of everyone with equality.<\/p>\n![\"mask](\"https:\/\/www.hongkongfp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/20200305150811145.jpg\")
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