Hello My Dear Great Ones,
I recently went to Sham Shui Po, a market area in Kowloon. I also have visited other parts of Hong Kong like the flower market and surrounding area, plus Central on the island over the past few weeks. My conclusion? It's basically business as usual! People are buying and selling and interacting with each other! Covid 19 crises? What crises? In typical Hong Kong fashion there are vendors selling highend facemasks and plastic, protective glasses. Market opportunity!
So why over the last 2.5 months has Hong Kong, only 900 km from Wuhan, have slightly less than 1000 confirmed covid cases and 4 deaths? Why would a city of 8 million people who are crammed into a space of 1000 sq km and who literally live on top of each other, not fare much worse? Why does, Alberta for example, have @1500 cases and 32 deaths when their outbreak started much later than HK's? Why also would Alberta be doing worse with a population of 4 million that is spread far and wide in a land mass 2.5 times greater than Germany's, and a population that overall is far younger than HK's?
In my opinion it is all about testing, testing, and testing. It is about isolating those who are sick and those who were with the sick in short order. It is about being like detectives, finding the cluster of infected people, treating them and "locking," them away. Hong Kongers also experienced SARS so when the infection started in Wuhan preventative measures, education, and shutting down of schools, the airport, and other "public," areas followed in rapid order. Hong Kongers are also very big on masks, at least most of them, and despite the arguments for and against, there is no question that 99% of HK's population have worn masks during this time. For Hong Kongers wearing masks is as natural as wearing underwear. This has helped slow down the spread of covid 19 for sure.
Yet, it does not explain why markets like in Shan Shui Po and others can just carry on like normal. Whereas in other parts of the world EVERYTHING except grocery stores and pharmacies are closed. Yet their infection and death rates are high. I really have no answer for that except a few theories:
I think Hong Kong's quick response to those infected and those near the infected ones and getting them isolated has worked very well.
Hong Kongers were preparing for the virus as soon as the news came out of Wuhan. Preparation.
Economic spread. The spread between the wealthy and poor in Hong Kong is one of the greatest in the World. Would there be civil unrest if the poor were denied opportunity to make a living, despite the covid 19 crises? Perhaps. The HK gov't has been battered enough this year. Nevertheless, whatever the reason at the basic market level it has been business as usual in HK.
General health. Hong Kong has one of the highest life expectancy rates in the World. Old timers in HK exercise constantly and their diet is relatively healthy compared to western fares. Obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, the usual old age health issues prevalent in an ageing western population is not so prevalent in HK. That plus the fact most HKers spend a relatively high amount of time outside in parks and markets, compared to westerners also, I am sure, improves overall health. Covid 19 has in general really hurt those with underlying health issues. What happens if a certain population group is relatively healthy like they are in HK? The stats are there to read. I rest my case.
Anyway, there is some hope here in Hong Kong that the worst is over. Only 13 new cases yesterday. We might be getting there and as the pictures below indicate, life for many, especially in Shan Shui Po, carries on:
Covid 19 protective eyeglasses for sale.
Not sure if a mask covering a chin will provide much protection from the virus.
Masks in all shapes and sizes.
Social distancing? Not in Sham Shui Po. Note the old timers....
Yeah drinking with a mask over your face is awkward.
Isn't a guy like him most "vulnerable?"
Lady selling high end facemasks.
Note the apartments above. Many Hong Kongers live in crowded, cramped conditions. A "breeding," ground for disease?
Social distancing?
Even the beggars are wearing masks.
So there you have it. Interesting. Stay healthy, pray a lot, enjoy the extra time at home.
Have a great week.
Love adios and ping on!
Dirk
