Hong Kong Government Cites Pandemic to Postpone Elections

Friday 6pm, Lam announces Legco elections are postponed

Word came down late this morning that the Hong Kong government would postpone the September 6 Legislative Council elections because of the ongoing pandemic.

We had to wait until 6pm in a press conference where Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor was again flanked by some of her senior ministers, including the Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee, and Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs.

Hongkongers can't exercise their right to vote

Before making the actual announcement, Lam laid out a string of reasons why the elections had to be postponed. First and foremost, this was the 10th day that the city had triple digit new cases (121 today) and with just over a month away it would be "irresponsible" to hold the elections now; that there were many Hongkongers who lived and worked across the border who would have to rush here to vote on that day; elderly people's health would be compromised, and some wouldn't dare come out to vote; tens of thousands of workers would be needed to man all the polling stations and it would be hard to make sure people maintained social distancing and so on.

Finally Lam said the election would be held on September 5, 2021, while Cheng claimed that even those 12 pan-democrat candidates who were disqualified yesterday would be able to put in their nomination again next year.

Does Lam take Hongkongers as fools?

No matter which political stripe they are, people want to exercise their right to vote and now this has been taken away from them. Perhaps the only good thing is that between now and next September who has become eligible to vote can now register.

There were questions about why the government didn't consider holding the election anyway like Singapore did recently, but Lam claimed it was a different situation, and cited over 60 countries like the UK where the London mayoral race was postponed.

Law wonders what his "crime" is

A reporter said since Hong Kong is such a tech hub, why couldn't we vote online or by mail? And why hadn't the government considered these options, as it has been seven months now. Again Lam claimed there wasn't enough time to organize all of this in time.

Another asked if this was because the government was worried the pan-democrats would win more seats and wanted to shut down their chances, Lam stressed this decision was not political at all. Did she have an evil grin on her face hidden by her Cu Mask+ as she said this?

Lam hinted that anyone serving the Legislative Council had to have the correct political leaning, which is perhaps why some people were disqualified from running in the election. But since it's been postponed that's all moot now.

This evening's announcement only makes the Hong Kong government's premise that "one country, two systems" still exists is a sham.

Earlier today Civic Party leader Alvin Yeung Ngok-kiu said on RTHK that the government is so shameless, it no longer cares about what the world thinks.

"But again if this Hong Kong government is still trying to convince the rest of the world that 'hey this is an international city, there is still One Country, Two Systems', then of course they have to make up even more excuses or put up more reasons to convince others."

Activist Ray Wong seeking asylum in Germany

Each passing day there is a new development that leaves Hongkongers flabbergasted at how fast the city is changing.

Just before the press conference was to start, another bombshell dropped with the Director of Prosecutions announcing he had quit and would leave his job at the end of the year.

David Leung Cheuk-yin, who has been a prosecutor for 25 years, wrote in an email to colleagues: "It is most unfortunately that I do not see eye to eye with the SJ [Secretary for Justice] on the running of PD [Prosecutions Department], and the situation has not improved with the passage of time."

He also revealed that he was not privy to cases related to the new national security law implemented a month ago.

"As to the National Security cases, I do not have information for you as my assistance and participation in those matters have not been required," he wrote.

It's quite revealing that Leung, as Hong Kong's top prosecutor has no part in any of the national security case and was completely sidelined.

Meanwhile Nathan Law Kwun-chung and five others who fled Hong Kong are now wanted by Hong Kong police for breaching the national security law on charges of inciting secession and colluding with foreign forces.

Along with Law, the others are former UK consulate worker Simon Cheng, activists Ray Wong, Samuel Chu, Wayne Chan and Honcques Laus.

Law replied on Facebook he was not sure what his "crime" would be, but perhaps it was because he "loves Hong Kong too much".

He added since he left Hong Kong he stopped contacting his family and would sever his relationship with them in the hopes of not having them caught up in his work.

As Hong Kong is dragged kicking and screaming closer to the motherland, the rest of us wonder what's going to happen tomorrow...

Government Flip-Flops in Virus Fight

Scenes like this prompted the government to make a U-turn

The Hong Kong government can't seem to make up its mind on how to fight the coronavirus pandemic. It seems to think half-hearted measures are the way to go, and blames outbreaks on people not wearing masks, when it is because some 290,000 people have been exempted from quarantine since February and have spread the virus into the local community.

And now the government has completely flip-flopped on its latest regulation to stop all dining in restaurants after numerous complaints and media coverage of blue-collar workers forced to eat outside in the heat and rain. The pro-establishment lawmakers even protested, fearing this would affect their election chances in September.

Chui (in the middle) was in the hot seat today

Starting from tomorrow people can eat breakfast and lunch inside restaurants, with maximum two per table and 50 percent capacity.

Why this quick U-turn from some media coverage and complaints, when last summer some 2 million people peacefully protested against the extradition bill and were ignored by the government?

At this afternoon's regular media briefing on the coronavirus situation, the Undersecretary for Health Chui Tak-yi was grilled by reporters about this sudden change in decision, even when Hong Kong reported a new record high of 149 cases.

Chui kept saying over and over that the government saw the situation, understood that it was difficult for workers to not have a place to eat lunch and so the decision was made to reverse the ban on dining in restaurants.

Restaurants are back to serving breakfast, lunch

But what about concerns about catching the virus when dining in restaurants because people are not wearing masks? He repeated his answer.

Reporters asked if the government would apologize, and how did he feel about the picture of the middle-aged man kneeling to eat his lunch? Again Chui would not be baited and repeated the above reply over and over.

However the government's decision did not add up at all, considering the record number of cases.

And now restaurants are scrambling again to re-open tomorrow. The government, as I said before, has no idea what it's like the run a restaurant. Some had decided to shut for the week, while others ordered less ingredients thinking business would be slow.

Restaurateurs can't even get a break in this city.

Some people just want the government to bite the bullet and put the city under lockdown for two weeks and get it over with to seriously control the virus. Only allow people to go out once a day for a certain period of time to buy necessities and that's it.

Tony Chung was arrested last night for secession

While we will all go crazy, this tough measure would at least stop the chain of local infections and give the healthcare system a chance to focus on its current batch of patients instead of having to find band-aid solutions to the overwhelming number of cases.

Meanwhile the government has no problem determining it has to arrest four young people from the ages of 16 to 21 for inciting independence on a Facebook page, have legal academic Benny Tai Yiu-ting sacked from the University of Hong Kong, and disqualify 12 pan-democratic candidates from running in September's Legislative Council Elections. And this is just this week alone.

And yet it can't decide to take a tough stand on a virus.

The government's battle cry, "Together, we fight the virus!" gets hollower by the day.

New Measures Overlook Blue-Collar Workers

A man holds an umbrella in the rain as he eats his lunch

Today was the first day of tighter regulations kicking in, with everyone having to wear masks outside, including those exercising, while meals cannot be consumed in restaurants or cafes -- the food must be taken back to the office or home to be eaten.

Of course the government did not consider blue-collar workers who don't have an air-conditioned office space or home nearby to eat lunch or dinner. As a result lots of construction workers, cleaners, and others had to find park benches, stairs or even the covered bus terminus for a space to eat.

A man kneels while eating his lunch today

The media recorded pictures of people crouching, even an old man kneeling to eat his meal outdoors. Another, a cleaner, resorted to holding an umbrella while eating as it was pouring with rain during lunchtime.

If you can pay, some enterprising offices in Central offered a room for up to two people to eat in for HK$50 an hour, HK$30 for one person.

But there were some in the community who opened up their spaces to people, like a salon that had chairs in front of its shop, and a church -- Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church -- which is incidentally Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor's parish -- offered people space to eat from 7am to 10pm, and they won't be proseletized either! Bonus!

Now the government will open 19 facilities for people to eat their meals. This is absolutely ridiculous because it is just like eating in a restaurant then.

Eat in Central for $50 for two people, $30 for one

Meanwhile on the jogging front, it was nice to see almost everyone mask up on the waterfront this evening, though there were a handful of people who refused to comply to the new regulations. If caught by the authorities, they can be fined up to HK$5,000 (US$645).

However, there were varying degrees of joggers wearing masks. There were those who had it tucked under their chin (of no use at all), or just covering their mouth and not their nose (again not helpful), or one creative Caucasian woman who had the mask covering her nose and then the bottom part was folded up and tucked just under her upper lip. But again that's not very effective either.

Most people though jogged with masks, some still insisting on sprinting, but on the whole it was a relief to not have to worry so much about runners breathing heavily near me.

RTHK reported some runners in Victoria Park earlier in the day couldn't stand wearing a mask and one middle-aged man suggested government officials should try running with a mask on to see how difficult it is.

"It's not reasonable. It's an aerobic exercise! If we wear a mask it stops us from taking in oxygen. It's completely opposed to the goal of exercising," he complained. "Who thought of this? Ask them to put a mask on, come out and run. Let them see what it's like!"

Joggers had to mask up today, with mixed results

But he may be stuck having to wear a mask for a while, with another 118 new cases reported today that put Hong Kong at 3,002 coronavirus cases, a grim milestone, along with 24 deaths.

Is there no end in sight? While I am not one of those people impatiently waiting to travel elsewhere, the news everyday about the triple-digit cases and the healthcare system overloaded is causing anxiety and stress, and surely for every other person in the city...

Politics over Coronavirus Concerns

Health officials continue mantra of asking people to stay home

Today another three digit number -- 106 new cases -- and the latest restrictions will kick in at midnight, Wednesday morning. Two more deaths today, elderly patients, more restaurant clusters, the July 12 junk cruise, more from the July 9 handover party, elderly homes, and now a construction site with 13 cases.

Dr Chuang reported 106 new cases today

It is found that 290,000 people were exempted from quarantine thanks to the government's list of 33 exemptions, though there are now two more people from the Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse who are infected, along with seamen.

Because so many people were exempted, it is more and more evident the government has inadvertently allowed infections to occur in the community and now it has gotten to the point where it could be uncontrollable.

What does the government do?

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor mulled the possibility of holding the September Legislative Council Elections next year, citing the current health situation.

Lam wants to postpone Legco elections for a year

Singapore was able to successfully hold its elections, why can't we?

The government probably wants to postpone the elections because the pro-establishment are doing so badly in the polls, that it hopes a year later, all will be forgotten.

NOT.

A friend who recently became a permanent resident wondered on social media if the elections were postponed could he register to vote then? And what about all those young people who will turn 18 in the next year?

Does the government really think it will do better in a year's time?

Meanwhile more politics is at play with the sacking of Benny Tai Yiu-ting, an associate professor of law at the University of Hong Kong earlier today.

HKU governing council sacked Benny Tai today

The university's governing council voted 18 to two to fire the legal academic for his convictions in his role in the 2014 Occupy Movement and served 16 months in prison. He has been out on bail since last August, pending an appeal.

In reaction to his dismissal Tai said academic institutions in Hong Kong "cannot protect their members from internal and outside interferences", adding that the university council's decision "marked the end of academic freedom in Hong Kong".

In full he wrote:

The decision to terminate my appointment was made not by the University of Hong Kong but by an authority beyond the University through its agents.

It marks the end of academic freedom in Hong Kong.

Academic staff in education institutions in Hong Kong are no longer free to make controversial statements to the general public about politically or socially controversial matters. Academic institutions in Hong Kong cannot protect their members from internal and external interferences.

Tai says this is end of academic freedom in HK

If there is still any doubt of the advancement of 'One Country, One System' in the territory, my case should be able to remove it.

I am grateful to the University of Hong Kong for nurturing me as a law student, a law teacher, a legal researcher and a guardian of rule of law. I am heart-broken to witness the demise of my beloved university.

Yet, I will continue my research and teaching on the rule of law in another capacity. My fight for Hong Kong's rule of law also will not stop.

I have the confidence to see the rebirth of a free HKU in the future.

Meanwhile HKU President Zhang Xiang said: "The University values diversity of views and vigorous debate, embracing discourse and robust engagement. All of these qualities represent the quintessence of a university and the spirit of our scholarly community."

HKU President Zhang Xiang

This is definitely not the end of the 56-year-old Tai's career, but his reputation may have been too much for the university to bear.

And for many academics, Tai's firing is a signal of what's to come when it comes to towing the party line in universities, which are supposed to be safe spaces to debate and discuss.

In the meantime, everyone mask up and keep Hong Kong's coronavirus cases down so we can vote in September!

Government Imposes New Measures to Fight Virus

Cheung (third from left) announces new severe measures

Hong Kong recorded a record high of 145 coronavirus cases today, the sixth straight day of triple digits. It was enough for the government to finally impose tougher measures from Wednesday -- why Wednesday? -- of mandatory mask-wearing outdoors, including for exercise, and a ban on dining in restaurants for a week.

This was hinted this morning, followed by an afternoon press conference led by Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung Kin-chung and a phalanx of ministers. If the pro-establishment lawmakers blamed the pan-democrats for filibustering, the government is pretty good at doing that too.

Every time Cheung answered a question, he said so-and-so minister can give you further details, and after he spoke (at length), then that minister would follow up with supposedly more details.

This frustrated the reporters from not having enough time to ask more questions, or their queries were not exactly answered.

Chuang said there were 145 new cases today

One asked if one must wear a mask while exercising outside, and the minister in question cited the regulation code, but did not say yes or no (it is yes). There were questions about it being safe for lots of people to be eating their takeaway food outside in parks, but it seems the government didn't really think about that, that the majority of people would take their food home to eat or stay in their office to eat.

Cheung said having restaurants only do takeaway was a compromise as a way to keep these establishments afloat, but also feed Hongkongers at the same time, as a number of them don't cook or don't have kitchen facilities.

However, it seems the government has no idea that doing takeaway for some restaurants is completely not worth the cost or the cuisine is not suitable for takeaway. Supermarkets continue to be the big winner.

Also only two people at most can gather in public places from Wednesday, down from four, but if you're in a family, then it's ok. It's mind-boggling the policies the authorities make up. Someone joked on Twitter that you have to carry a family photo around to prove that you're a family and can stick together in public...

No dining in restaurants from Wednesday

But I have to say I'm relieved that everyone will have to mask up from Wednesday. No more runners gasping for air as they graze past me. It's a very unsettling feeling having someone breathing heavily on you.

Soon after the government press conference was the regular update from the Centre for Health Protection and Hospital Authority. They reported a record three more elderly people passed away, apparently with existing health conditions.

There are still over 100 people who have tested positive and are waiting to be admitted into hospitals, and more cases of seamen contracting the virus as well as in restaurants, wet markets and elderly homes. And another case from the July 12 junk trip...

Dr Sara Ho from the HA said if people are waiting at home to be sent to hospital, all family members should wear a mask, eat separately and ideally use separate toilets. However, living in such close quarters, there is a high chance of other family members being infected.

There is no ideal temporary solution to isolate these people, while others are still waiting for their test results to come back, several days after they initially sent in their saliva samples.

Exercising outdoors? You must wear a mask

It is obvious the health system is completely overwhelmed and at this rate no relief in sight yet. What happened? For months Hong Kong was doing so well with single-digit cases and then suddenly it exploded. As a friend pointed out it's lucky the case numbers haven't increased exponentially, but that might be because testing is severely backlogged.

This is not a good situation for Hong Kong to be in, and many are pointing at the list of exemptions from quarantine as the reason for the sudden surge in cases in the last two weeks. However, the government refuses to acknowledge it is to blame, saying lots of people are getting the virus because they are not wearing masks while eating in restaurants.

So we shall see if shutting down dining in at restaurants really does lower the number of cases, while exemptions for quarantine continue.

The lack of trust in the government continues to grow, making it even harder to believe what it says in trying to control the pandemic narrative in Hong Kong...

Coronavirus Overloading the System

Chui Tak-yi (centre) asked people to stop from gathering

Another triple-digit count of 128 cases today, with 103 locally transmitted, and 35 cases had unknown sources. Health officials are warning that the hospital system is being overloaded and reminded people again not to gather in large groups, and instead stay at home as much as possible.

In fact this afternoon on my weekly long walk, I saw police (in groups of four) at the Central ferry piers, Dr Sun Yat-sen Memorial Park, and even Kennedy Town. In some cases they took down notes of people, handed out leaflets, or advised people to social distance.

There are constant reminders to social distance

Meanwhile at piers 9 and 10 there were some yachts bobbing around the area waiting for clients to embark on their junk trips, though these should really be banned for the next few weeks.

But there are serious concerns about Hong Kong's health system being able to handle the surge in positive cases, with some 100 people waiting to go to hospital for treatment.

Health Authority chief manager Linda Yu Wai-ling admitted the situation was "not ideal", saying that there is "great" pressure on the public healthcare system and staff are having difficulties dealing with all the cases.

Perhaps that's a big hint for people to stay at home?

Now four people from here have been infected

Meanwhile at today's press briefing, Undersecretary for Health Chui Tak-yi fielded a lot of questions from reporters, as three more people from the Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse were found to be infected with the coronavirus. There were queries if the virus could be passed onto the pork that they processed, and Chui just replied that like other food, the pork should be cooked thoroughly before consuming it.

There were also questions of why the government is only now imposing more restrictions on seamen coming to Hong Kong to board ships. Currently they arrive in the city, take the Covid-19 test, but leave before receiving the results, some of them positive, but there is no way of contacting them because the information they left behind is incorrect.

This loophole will be tightened on Wednesday, but it has taken several days and numerous positive cases from seamen from the Philippines, India and Pakistan for the government to finally clamp down. The same could be said for air crew.

Guy on left from FedEx on Peak Tram

In fact, today someone on Twitter reported they were riding the Peak Tram when an American guy next to him started chatting and said he was a FedEx flight crew member who had just arrived from Boston. He took the Covid-19 test but didn't have to wait for the results and was riding the Peak Tram and planning to eat at Burger King later!

How could that be?!

Absolutely shocking that aircrew are allowed to wander around freely and not stay confined in their hotel rooms.

A spokeswoman for The Hongkong & Shanghai Hotels that owns the Peak Tram was quick on the ball to reply to the tweet, saying the tram was disinfected with diluted bleach after each ride.

Perhaps the government will be grilled about this tomorrow?

But one of the best questions at the press conference directed at Chui was: "If the government is not listening to the advice of health experts, what is the point of having them?"

Chui was probably relieved he could hide his embarrassment behind his surgical mask, but it was a question that had to be asked.

He replied that the government does take their advice into consideration, but kind of left it at that...

Coronavirus Cases Continue to Rise

Dr Chuang (left) says the Covid-19 situation is very worrying

For the fourth straight day there is a record number of new coronavirus cases which makes the situation very worrying for health officials, and depressing for Hongkongers who had tried hard months ago to avoid the virus as much as possible.

But many were fatigued from working at home for weeks, eating home-cooked food or the stress of being stuck with family members made them want to go out as soon as restrictions were loosened.

Police telling beach goers to stay at home

Today Hong Kong recorded 133 cases, reflecting infections from two weeks ago and it's upsetting to see people weren't taking the virus seriously then.

"We are still seeing a very high number of cases daily and the trend is still increasing," said Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the communicable disease branch of the Centre for Health Protection. "We are very worried about whether this situation can be controlled actually."

Of the cases, 126 were local infections, including 55 with no known source of infection. At least one was from the Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse -- which is listed as one of the places people are exempt from quarantine.

One patient, #2099 apparently went wild around town, going to a staggering 16 places on July 22 -- the day she was confirmed positive with the virus.

She went to a restaurant in IFC mall in Central, several locations in Sai Kung, Sha Tin, Yau Tsim Mong, Sham Shui Po and Wan Chai. How did she even logistically do that? Just reading the list of places makes me exhausted.

A reporter asked Chuang if it was a delivery person and she said no, someone who had an unusual number of activities. No kidding.

People waiting to get on junks on July 11

Also among the 133 cases, Chuang said the government is now trying to track down over 40 people who went on a junk trip on July 12, as one person was confirmed infected.

Why am I not surprised. Every weekend I walk by Pier 9 and Pier 10 in Central and see several groups of people without masks, waiting to get on one of the boats, or junks they have rented and will spend the entire day in cramped quarters with other people, eating and drinking.

It was bound to happen, and I'm surprised it didn't happen earlier. Perhaps the authorities will stop partying on junks for a while?

The police had to go to the beach today to tell scantily-clad people it was closed and to go home.

Which part of "stay at home, stay safe" do they not understand?

Love Conquers All

Elaine To and Henry Tong on their wedding day last August

This is Henry Tong Wai-hung, 39, and Elaine To, 42. They are such a cute couple. Both are into fitness and own a gym in Sheung Wan. They are also parents to three dogs.

Last July 28 they participated in an anti-government protest at Chater Garden in Central that later went towards the liaison office in Western district, but then were arrested on charges of rioting together with a teenager, Natalie Lee Yuen-yui near the protest site. If convicted, the maximum sentence is 10 years.

While Lee pleaded not guilty, Tong and To did as well, claiming they were there to provide first aid to those who were teargassed -- they said they were never on the front lines, nor did they act violently or illegally.

The couple helped people who were teargassed

The pair was shocked to be arrested and hoped to be out on bail in time for their wedding on August 4. They managed to get out in time and were registered at Cotton Tree Drive Marriage Registry.

She wore a short white dress, and white cardigan with white boots and a veil, and he a body tight shirt with a suit printed on it and shorts, and also boots.

Thinking the wedding would be just them and two witnesses, they were overwhelmed to see family, friends, media and strangers who came to support them.

"Although there are some obstacles in the road, I have finally become Mrs Tong. I will go through the upheaval with you," To said during the ceremony as she cried.

"It is not easy to find someone in life with the same ideals, values and willing to go through ups and downs with you in the time of chaos... I will continue to love you forever," Tong said before they kissed.

But they had the riot charge hanging over their heads for almost a year.

The newlyweds were overwhelmed by supporters

Their trial was supposed to start in March, but because of the pandemic it was postponed. The actual trial took 20 days instead of the estimated 10.

During this time they also lost about two-thirds of their income at the gym because of political differences with clients, though the remaining ones have been very supportive.

In the days leading up to the verdict, they prepared for the worst, deciding who would look after the dogs, passing ownership of the gym to a friend and packing up their things.

Today was the verdict -- they were acquitted on the charge of rioting, though they were found guilty of a lesser offense of possessing a wireless radio (walkie talkies) without a permit and fined HK$1,300 each.

The student Lee was also found not guilty of rioting.

Prosecutors conceded they did not have enough direct evidence of what exactly the three defendants did at the time of the riot, despite months of investigations.

Their case was solely based on circumstantial evidence, such as the defendants' wearing black clothing, protective gear, and attempting to flee from the police.

To and Tong during one of their trial dates

District judge Anthony Kwok Kai-on found the trio not guilty of riot or the lesser, alternative charge of unlawful assembly because there was no evidence they had assembled together in common purpose with the protesters on Des Voeux Road West, where a riot broke out at 7.02pm.

However he did believe there was sufficient evidence the couple was providing first aid to people, as there were medical supplies in their belongings, and there was also CCTV footage of them treating the student Lee after she was teargassed.

To and Tong cried and hugged each other. Emerging out of the courthouse, Tong bowed to the media and supporters shouted protest slogans.

"We will not celebrate until after all who were arrested have received their fair verdicts," Tong told reporters.

At Instagram pier with their three dogs

As they were leaving, he shouted through his mask, "Hongkongers, add oil! Keep it up everyone!"

To, Tong and Lee were the first to be charged with rioting; with these verdicts, it will be interesting to see how the rest of the cases are handled.

It's interesting that despite the prosecutor's circumstantial evidence, the judge did not throw out these cases. Perhaps it was a hint to the Department of Justice that they had better have solid evidence for conviction before wasting the court's time?

Brick-Sized Art

A beautiful hot day looking at Central and Admiralty

Today I started out on a mid-morning walk with the aim of hitting 15k. That meant walking from Kennedy Town to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and a detour to the Upper House Hotel for a break for a gourmet cookie and lemonade before heading back home.

Someone writing mini calligraphy!

It was really hot out -- 30 degrees at least, but it was a good time to be out with hardly anyone walking along the waterfront. With the 123 new coronavirus cases reported today -- a new record -- it was even more important to be social distancing as much as possible.

When I was approaching the convention centre, on the ground I could see something in between the bricks. Upon closer inspection, I saw dioramas of everyday life in the size of a brick!

There were three that I could find. One featured an outdoor patio or rooftop setting with house plants sitting on some tiles and a table with tiny pieces of paper with calligraphy written on them. Someone was practicing calligraphy, writing Chinese idioms. An ink stone was there along with a brush.

Someone's room with magazines and suitcase

Another one looked like a room of a young person, with a skipping rope on a stool, some magazines, unfinished homework and a suitcase. Unfortunately moisture got into this particular diorama, and with the noon day sun it was hard to take a photo without my shadow in it!

The last scene seemed like dinner on the table for three people with three pairs of chopsticks on the table. There's scrambled eggs with chives, a plate of stir-fried kale with garlic, steamed minced pork patty, steamed fish and a tureen of soup that had been simmering for hours. Oh yes and three bowls of rice.

There are also some old pictures on the table, passport photos and a class photo. Off to the side is a small table for a child making a toy airplane.

Dinner for three is ready on the table

These brick-sized scenes must be fairly new -- they have changed the "art" selection around the convention centre recently. But if I didn't look too closely I would never have noticed these dioramas on the ground! I didn't look too closely around the area to see if there was any information about the artist. But now I have another excuse to walk over there again...

The Leadership's Ineptness is Ridiculed

Does Lam really want to fight the virus? Or it's just a slogan?

Today more shocking news, with Hong Kong reporting a whopping 118 new coronavirus cases, 111 of which were locally transmitted, and there was one more death. There are now 2,249 cases and 15 deaths.

Civil servants, originally ordered to work from home for a week, will continue to do so until August 2, while health officials again warned people not to go out unnecessarily. This is being reflected in the volume of passengers taking the MTR which has dropped to levels in March, and health experts are hoping the number of infections will continue to drop in the next two weeks.

Dr Choi's answer has gone viral on social media

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Medical Association held a press conference and one reporter asked about Covid-19 testing.

"Why can Macau conduct 11,000 tests and Singapore 20,000 tests daily and Hong Kong can't? Is it a difference in testing methods?" she asks.

Hong Kong Medical Association past president Dr Gabriel Choi Kin replied, "The leader is different."

Everyone laughed. Next to Choi was Dr Alvin Chan who laughed too but then realized he was holding his microphone close to his mouth and quickly said, "I just coughed."

We all saw that!

It was a moment of brevity we needed after consecutive days of shock and worry.

But it was also very telling of what the Hong Kong Medical Association thinks of Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and her administration.

Dr Chuang going through her briefing notes

For over six months she has been at least one step behind in implementing measures, and in the beginning she was very lucky that Hong Kong residents took the initiative and started wearing masks right away.

But then as the pandemic wore on, people started getting tired of dealing with the coronavirus and were agitating for some kind of normalcy. They got it, but at a price -- we are now undergoing severe measures where no restaurant can open except for takeaway, whereas before people could dine -- if they dared to.

There is also a long list of people exempted from quarantine who might have spread the virus to the community; this has been brought up by reporters at press conferences, but no health official was willing to address this question until today when Dr Gabriel Leung suggested that samples taken from recent Covid-19 patients bear little resemblance to earlier strains of the virus that his Hong Kong earlier this year.

"The current third wave seemed to have had multiple, new introductions that are unlinked to the previous local clusters," Leung said, meaning that the current wave of infections was brought it by those who did not need to be quarantined.

Restaurants already offer takeaway options

One has to wonder if infectious disease experts who are advising the government are frustrated by the administration's unwillingness to act faster, or only taking half-hearted measures to really stop the virus from spreading further. Today's regulation of making it mandatory for people to wear masks indoors was head-scratching, as practically everyone already wears masks when they go into establishments.

But how about this motivation -- the faster everyone stays at home most of the time, wears masks whenever they go out, practice social distancing and personal hygiene, then it gives Lam less of an opportunity to postpone or cancel the upcoming Legislative Council elections in September.

We all want to vote, right? So please do your part and stay home (as much as possible)!

Hong Kong's New Record High Cases

All people must wear masks indoors from tomorrow

This evening I took the elevator down so that I could do my usual walk. Several floors down a Caucasian man in a singlet, shorts and runners came into the elevator -- without a mask.

Immediately sensing he was in the wrong, he tried to lift his tank top up to his nose as if this quasi covering was going to protect him as he breathed heavily. It was ridiculous.

Why are people still not taking wearing masks seriously? Especially when Hong Kong had a record 113 new cases today, 105 of which were local, though 63 of them were untraceable. The city now has 2,131 cases and 14 deaths.

Dr Chan urges people not to go out unnecessarily

From tomorrow, it is mandatory for people to wear masks indoors, though this seems like a half-hearted measure because people have been wearing masks indoors anyway. They cannot go into many establishments if they don't wear a mask already, and on public transport.

However a few days ago after the regulation was in place, I saw a guy with his mask under his chin in the MTR carriage as he scrolled through his phone; only when more passengers came in did he then pull the mask up. Perhaps a bit too late? Which part of confined space does he not get?

"The coming one to two weeks will be critical to the development of the epidemic situation," said Sophia Chan Siu-chee, Secretary for Food and Health. "I strongly urge all people to stay at home and refrain from going out unnecessarily. If the amount of confirmed cases increases further, we will not rule out more stringent control measures."

Chan also hinted the possibility of a lockdown, saying the government looked at other countries' practices, but also kept in mind people's daily needs in Hong Kong.

Chuang tells Covid-19 test takers to stay home

Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the communicable disease branch at the Centre for Health Protection also urged people who had taken the Covid-19 test to stay put while waiting for the results as they might be infected.

"If you have symptoms and have gone for a test, please stay at home," she said, noting some people who had submitted samples for the test had gone out in public and possibly passed on the virus to others.

There are so many factors of how Hong Kong got to the point of triple-digit cases, though pointing figures now is hardly productive. People need to mask up -- there is no excuse not to with so many masks available in various price ranges, and pay more attention to hygiene.

A friend finally stopped using her "fake mask" -- a flimsy mask that is more for protection against pollen -- and now wears a surgical mask, though she continues to pull it down when she walks outside. Again not taking it seriously, yet she complains of runners to breathe heavily as they run past her.

The vast majority of the city is pretty much at home for the evening as restaurants and other venues are closed from 6pm, but that doesn't mean people aren't having gatherings at home. A Singaporean acquaintance said that during their lockdown period, neighbours could file a report report if they saw their neighbour wasn't complying with social-distancing rules.

Wearing a mask on public transport is mandatory

But in Hong Kong that would be perceived as echoes of the Cultural Revolution!

However, if the number of cases continue to skyrocket, then maybe the snitching will have to be instituted, like that mask-less guy on the 25th floor...

Remembering Yuen Long A Year Later

The riot police outnumber the protesters at Yoho Mall tonight

Today marks the first anniversary of the horrific attacks of white-shirted men against people last year in the Yuen Long MTR station, and many people remembered that day by protesting in Yoho Mall which is attached to the station.

They chanted slogans, sang the protest anthem, and held up blank pieces of paper or posters that said "Don't forget July 21", or "Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of our Times".

However it seems ironic that a year ago the police took 39 minutes to respond to thousands of calls about the attacks, while today they tried to preempt the protests by showing up in droves.

Many protesters fined for not social distancing

The police wore riot gear and were prepared to do battle with protesters, who were only armed with pieces of paper. The over reaction seemed outrageous, as they handed out fines to people for not social distancing, and arrested pan-democrat lawmaker Ted Hui Chi-fung for allegedly obstructing police.

Three other Democratic Party lawmakers, party chairman Wu Chi-wai, vice chairman Andrew Wan Siu-kin, and Lam Cheuk-ting were fined for failing to follow the ban on groups of more than four.

"We came in groups of four," said Lam. "But when we arrived, the police ushered us together and then claimed we had breached the social-gathering regulations. If police had deployed one-tenth of the manpower last year to handle the July 21 attack, the attack might not have taken place."

Hard to believe, but the police are still investigation the incident.

Many came out to remember the anniversary

Calvin So was the chef who finished work and was going home when he was attacked by the white-shirted men with sticks. His back and legs were covered in welts last year.

"I was invited by police to give a statement once last August and then the police called me two or three times later in October for some follow-up questions," So said. "Since then, I have not heard anything from the police. I can't help thinking they are not actually serious in investigating the case."

Earlier in the day a protest was held in a shopping mall in Central where one young protester was fined for violating social-distancing rules.

"I was crying not because I was fined... But where were all these officers on July 21 last year? Now, why are there so many of them here to slap fines on young people?"

The balloons say: "Don't forget July 21"

Tonight reporters on the scene are the target of the police, who searched many of them more than once -- one tweeted she was checked four times -- perhaps as a form of intimidation. They screamed at the reporters to stop filming and take pictures, but that is their job. Again, another overreaction.

This anniversary is so sensitive because it really marked a serious deterioration in the relationship between protesters and the police. And it was one of the main reasons why protesters demanded an independent inquiry into police brutality, claiming there was collusion between the police and triads.

The claim has yet to be proven, though Clifford Stott, one of the policing experts who was hired by the IPCC to investigate, but then quit en masse, will release his own report soon.

In June he gave an online interview with the Foreign Correspondents' Club saying he and other foreign experts resigned, as they were "manipulated and put in an awkward position" by the Independent Police Complaints Council.

Last year's infamous pic of alleged collusion

The IPCC released its report on May 20 this year, basically clearing the force of misconduct.

"We were put in a difficult position. We were in the end manipulated and put in an awkward position," Professor Stott said, adding, "There is no way I could have stood by that report."

We look forward to seeing what Stott has to say about how the protests were handled last year, and of course the government and the police's reaction to his report.

Because we will never forget what happened July 21, 2019; it is forever seared in our collective memories.