The risk is not yours alone

 

 

In his column ‘Cold-weather bravado is far from cool’ dated January 25, Alex Lo blames the people who risked their own lives and those of the rescuers by ignoring warnings against potential dangers. I agree that the frost-chasers were silly to have overlooked the severity of the cold snap that hit Hong Kong. It is hoped that they have drawn a lesson from the experience and will refrain from such thoughtless acts from now on. 

There are, however, people whose attitude is even more blameworthy. In a video widely spread on the internet, a Hong Kong girl is seen shouting at a policeman who is trying to stop her going up the hill. ‘I’m responsible for my own life,’ she says, obviously displeased at the policeman’s interference with her freedom. She further points out that it is the police’s responsibility to save lives. 

She may have found her assertion justifiable since she is willing to be accountable for whatever happens to her. But, I don’t think she knows the least about what it means to be responsible. In fact, a responsible person will not do anything that causes an unfavorable result. In this case, her thoughtlessness could have cost not only her own life but those of others who went to her rescue. This is selfishness, which is unacceptable. Imagine a drug addict asserting that he is accountable for his own life. Would that make government attention to the problem of drug abuse unnecessary? Would a jay walker or not be charged with a traffic offence since it is his own life that is at risk?  

This may have been a rare case. But it has raised concern for a more caring and responsible attitude among the citizens and for better cooperation with the police to ensure the effective execution of their responsibilities.