Angela Leung
Abstract
At the end of March 2003, the heart of every Hong Kong citizen was shaken by the fierce spread of SARS in the community of "Amoy Gardens". Amoy Gardens, a residential community located in the eastern side of Kowloon peninsula of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), became famous not only locally, but also internationally where health professionals and government officials made all efforts to investigate why SARS was spread in the community within a short period. Being a citizen in the Amoy Gardens, as well as a nurse, I experienced the most struggling time I have ever had, struggling between the identity of "layman" and the "nurse". On one side, I wish to act in line with other Amoy Gardens residents, escaping from the most high-risk area, but on the other side, the professional self challenged me and made me stay in this "dangerous compound". Reflecting the whole experience during the SARS outbreak, I try to use the magic word "SARS" - Self-isolation, Affection, Relationships and Social Responsibility - to summarize the processes I have gone through and the growth of self (both layman self and professional self) in the last two months.
Key words: Primary health care, SARS, Self-isolation