Grief

In a tragedy like the one which has just devastated our city, the first words go to the families and friends of those who lost their lives. Our thoughts must be with them, who lost loved ones, some of whom are still not yet accounted for.
Secondly, the tragedy could have been prevented – at least the size of its impact – if we had competent people governing us. It is amazing to record that the city with one of the highest GDPs in the world should be in such a position.
I am not an expert in the field, but it seems that not everything is well with the weather observatory bureau. Not because of this super typhoon: we’ve experienced plenty in the past and, please, no trajectory changes.
Thirdly, this is the corollary of years of incompetence in diverse departments. Years without planning in a city which has money enough to be one of the best in the world. Also, the result of years during which the population has always been put in a supporting role, with the focus diverted to other fields and other areas.
The poor quality of building construction is something that is immediately evident upon arrival here. It is not new. What has been new is that we need a tragedy to probably – or not – wake up and understand that something is not in good shape. Infrastructure is badly planned. Back up plans are non-existent. And, with all due respect, governors who cannot protect their people are, in most cases, incompetent.
There are reports of hoarding of resources, such as water. Panic seems to be endemic. To those shops which have put the price up, I really feel for them, as they are irrational beings and not human. But worse than that, I feel for those who cannot afford to buy water or basic resources. And I also feel for those who cannot inspect and impose a huge penalty on this money-grabbing behaviour. It is the (in)human being at his/her worst.
Fourthly, some words to those who have worked hard to minimise the impact, such as the firemen, police and civil protection officials. They have executed their jobs well to the extent possible and maybe without guidance whatsoever.
The last words go to our governors: communication is needed.
It is amazing how only by the end of the day, after the South China Morning Post had already mentioned the death of Macau residents, that we had a declaration from the CE. My dear Sirs, the population needs you when things are unfolding, not afterwards. A warning and comforting word from a governor should sometimes be enough to prevent people from going out of their homes into the path of possible danger – and pacify our souls.
Macau deserves much better.