How Hong Kong got its coronavirus response right – by taking care of business
- Although the handling of the national anthem and national security laws has been disappointing, Hong Kong has done an admirable job of coping with the economic crisis from the Covid-19 pandemic, as it struggles to contain a political crisis, too.
Nevertheless, the news on Covid-19 from around the world has me thanking my lucky stars I am a Hongkonger. It helps me come to terms with my disappointment over how the anthem and security laws have been dealt with, which caused renewed street protests.
However, I despair over the situation elsewhere. Hunger caused by job losses is spreading in India and parts of Africa. In the United States, some 30 million children are being served hunger-aid school meals in grab-and-go lines or along bus routes because their families cannot afford to feed them due to income loss caused by the pandemic. People in cars are also lining up in food bank queues that stretch for miles in almost every state across the US, and in parts of Europe.
They will indeed, thanks to a government taking care of business, Hong Kong’s lifeblood, Hong Kong style.