Carrie's Hamster Hell

"Phrases such as ‘hamster holocaust’ and ‘genocide’ are over the top, however indicative of public sentiment."

Carrie Lam has another PR disaster on her hands, and again, it is of her making. Sure, no matter how you package it, culling 2000 plus pet hamsters was never going to be an easy sell. But then rushing the decision while admitting you are not sure that the hamsters transmitted the virus to humans was bound to produce an over-reaction from the public.

One hamster owner stated, "If people who attended Witman Hung's birthday party are culled, then I will hand my hamster to the government." Oh dear! Phrases such as ‘hamster holocaust’ and ‘genocide’ are over the top, however indicative of public sentiment.

The SPCA expressed shock at the government decision noting, "it did not take animal welfare and human-animal bonding into consideration."

A veterinary scholar called the government's decision "super harsh" and expressed fears that it could lead to mass abandonment of animals. Also, we know Covid has brought much mental strain to the populace, with pets providing a degree of comfort for many. To remove that support invites more mental health issues. Was that factor considered?

We've long learned that Carrie can't summon up much in the way of empathy. Yet, if any occasion called for a display of sympathy, then this was it. And what did we get is silence. Finally, a few lesser officials muttered contrite words, then soon moved on.

The hamster 'holocaust' has brought the Internet to life with innovative memes, none of which are kind to Carrie. But, in the longer term, if hamster to human transmission is established, appropriate protocols can minimise the risks. Yet, the US Centre for Disease Control already advises that the risk of pet to human transfer is low.

So, this morning kids across Hong Kong say a tear-filled farewell to Hamish the hamster, who is conveyed to a killing centre based on weak science and a knee jerk reaction. The question everyone is asking, which species is next?