Hunt for the Virus in Lam Tin

Over 10 cases were found in Block 5 of Laguna City, Lam Tin

Hong Kong logged 73 new coronavirus cases today, and some are related to a colleague who lives in Laguna City in Lam Tin, Kowloon.

The developing has 38 towers with more than 8,000 residential units, and in Block 5 there are at least 10 cases, mostly in E flats on various floors. This led to a mass evacuation of all residents in the tower living in flat E. Those who tested negative were sent to quarantine camps, those with symptoms to hospital.

Yuen notes possible "chimney effect" virus spread

That's because microbiologist and government health advisor Professor Yuen Kwok-yung from the University of Hong Kong believes there is a "chimney effect" of vertically transmitting the virus.

It was also reported two security guards who were confirmed with the virus, one of whom lived in Reclamation Street in Yau Ma Tei where there have been some outbreaks.

That guard may have brought the virus to the apartment block.

Another possibility is that on January 9 a family of four on the 16th floor in Flat E had a gathering with all of them testing positive, which could be because one of the guests was positive.

My colleague has friends in that block living in flat E so they had to be evacuated today. It's worrying for her wondering if the virus has spread to other blocks like hers. 

Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day to be quiet

People were hoping the number of cases would go down by Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day, but that hardly looks likely at all at this rate.

As I said before the Year of the Ox is going to be a dull one... if people don't heed advice to not gather during the public holiday, there will be another spike in cases, and the chances of restaurants opening for dinner are going to be near impossible.

 

Kennedy Town Rally Spreads

At 4pm people start gathering at Belcher Bay Park in Kennedy Town

Currently there are running battles between the protesters and police this evening in Causeway Bay, Wong Tai Sin, and Tseung Kwan O.

It's a constantly fluid situation, and the reporters literally following them are getting physically exhausted, not to mention having to deal with the effects of being pepper sprayed and tear gassed.

Perhaps even worse is that the police refuse to answer hospital staff's inquiries about the chemical contents of the pepper spray and tear gas, making it difficult to treat protest patients effectively. Some have had horrific allergic reactions, leading to bubbles puffing up their skin.

Listening to speeches at the rally and drumming up support

This afternoon there was a rally in Belcher Bay Park in Kennedy Town. Normally it's where seniors take walks or young people jog in circles (literally), as the park is so over programed and not a lot of open spaces.

At first it seemed like a small group of about 200 at around 4pm, but things didn't get started until an hour later, by which time we heard the lawn behind us was full. It wasn't until afterwards could we see tons of people in black had occupied the park. It was pretty amazing.

There were a few speakers. The first were the organizers, one of them a man in his late 50s, or early 60s. He had applied to have the march go from Kennedy Town to Dr Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park and the police kept saying no.

They police asked why and then speaker told us in his mind he was thinking, "Because Dr Sun Yat-sen was the FATHER OF THE REVOLUTION!" but he actually replied, " Because the park has a large space to hold everyone."

However as the march would pass by the liaison office, the police refused to give the green light. So that is why the gathering today was confined in such a small area.

A sea of people in black completely takes over the park

There was a Form 5 student who spoke, then two University of Hong Kong students, and then two seniors who had participated in the parents' rally in Chater Garden.

The woman told a story (as elderly people like to tell stories, she added): "On the day of the typhoon, I found a small snake in my flat. I was worried and asked my friends about it on social media and they said it wasn't poisonous. But I was still concerned about it so my friends told me to call 999 for the police to come.

"They said when the police come you better put away all your black clothes and things. At first I thought why should I? But then I thought best to just put them away. And they came and the police dealt with the situation.

"But I was thinking that snake -- even though it's not dangerous, it's still there," she said, alluding to the extradition bill. She felt it was best that it was not there anymore.

And then she finished her speech by encouraging people to take part in tomorrow's general strike, adding we should not buy anything tomorrow either. "So make sure you buy everything that you need tonight!"

Even the playground area has a mini Lennon Wall

After a few more speeches, my friend and I left, and when we turned to leave, we were overwhelmed by how many people were in the park. Many were young, but there were a few elderly people, all dressed in black and trying to listen. Even the playground area was occupied by protesters. But the further away we got, they could barely hear the speeches and were talking among themselves.

We could see more people coming towards the park, while people standing near the entrance were handing out free bottles of water and snacks. During the speeches, bags of McDonald's hamburgers were being handed out too.

A short distance away is a pub and we went there for a drink, just before 6.30pm. The waitress told us they may close at 7pm to "evacuate the restaurant because of the event nearby". I was very annoyed and told her we were just there and it was fine.

But we were shooed out just before 7pm, and we took a quick shot of a gorgeous sunset before I sent off my friend to the MTR station and I picked up a few things in the supermarket before heading home.

The only serene moment to capture the sunset this evening

By this point some roads were closed down -- it turned out protesters were already occupying roads around the park and took the opportunity to deface DAB legislator Horace Cheung Kwow-kwan's office.

All seems quiet in Kennedy Town tonight, though police cars have blocked the road going eastward towards Sai Ying Pun and the liaison office, where it is completely barricaded with giant water barriers.

However the protesters didn't seem to care for this target -- been there, done that -- and instead hit Causeway Bay, then Wan Chai, Wong Tai Sin, then Kwun Tong, then Mei Foo and Lam Tin...

Talk about running all over town!

But the police need to answer this -- in Causeway Bay why were 16 rounds of tear gas shot in 20 seconds? Is that really necessary? Seems like a big waste of money AND pollution that affects not only the protesters but also those living in residences nearby.

Meanwhile CARRIE WHERE ARE YOU?