"Yellow" accoutrements at an Italian restaurant in Hong Kong
Waiting for my order at a super "yellow" Taiwanese tea place
My good mood from Friday has continued through this Labour Day weekend; thanks in no small part to Hong Kong having more days of zero new Wuhan coronavirus cases this Saturday and Sunday (and, as it so happens, 14 straight days without a local infection). Heck, even the sure sense that summer -- my least favorite season of the year -- is here has not dampened my spirits (since the sky still has been brilliantly blue today, like the rest of the week)!
Also, I've got satisfaction that, even with my staying in all day yesterday (something I've taken to doing one day each weekend for some weeks now -- to conserve my mask stash but also to do my bit to help prevent overcrowding on city streets and hiking spots on weekends), I've done my part to support the Yellow Economic Circle. More specifically, I managed to complete the challenge involving spending money at five different "yellow" businesses this long weekend through having a delicious pasta lunch at 16 Shell today, followed by a stop at Tea Elements to get a peach green tea drink that works well as a dessert as well as refreshing libation!
When this pro-democracy initiative came into being some months back, Commerce and Economic Development Secretary Edward Yau poo pooed the initiative and predicted that the "trend" would be short lived. Fast forward to the present and its success is evidenced not only by the crowds at many "yellow" eateries in recent days but the outraged reactions of the likes of the mighty Liason Office and ever despised Leung Chun-ying to their existence and popularity.
Some people might see their attacks as cause for alarm. But it's hard to not laugh at the Liason Office's statement; this not least since it reveals a gross ignorance of what "free market" actually means! As for 689's hissy fit: it is rather ironic that he's asking his supporters to report "yellow" shops for having such as illegal structures since this is the same individual who began his term as Chief Executive accused of having illegal structures at his home on the Peak!
Speaking of ironies: Dr Yuen Kwok-yung -- who's been advising the Hong Kong government in its campaign against the Wuhan coronavirus -- revealed earlier today that the Hong Kong government will give each Hong Kong resident a reusable face mask (which can be used 60 times) from as early as next week. Remember: this is the same government that invoked a colonial-era emergency regulation to introduce a face mask ban last October which still has not been completely revoked; and whose stubborn leader appeared in public with a mask on her face far later than the majority of "regular" Hong Kongers first saw a need to wear them.
Still, to be fair: Their overall response to the Wuhan coronavirus shows that there still are some good elements within the Hong Kong government in such as the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) and Hospital Authority (HA); namely, the remnants of a previously meritocratic and apolitical civil service. A case in point: The CHP's Communicable Disease Branch chief, Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan, has got herself quite a fan club with her professional demeanor -- and sense of humor -- as well as appearance at every single daily press briefing for the Wuhan coronavirus. It is also very much worth noting that she has not been afraid to give a contradictory opinion to the Chief Executive when needed. (Memo to Dr. Birx: you should be so courageous!)
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