#DailyUpdate #Apr9 #COVID19

COVID-19 Updates (9/4)

At the time of writing, 1,536,094 cases of the coronavirus had been confirmed in 209 countries and territories with 89,877 reported deaths. The US, Spain, Italy, Germany, and France continue to be the worst affected countries by the pandemic.

China’s official number rose by 63, 2 new deaths are reported.

Hong Kong has reported 13 new cases, 3 of them are local cases.

In Hong Kong, starting from Saturday, individuals who need to be quarantined will be required to stay in a quarantine center for 10 days, they may switch to home quarantine for the last 4 days.

HSBC and Hang Sang Bank would not apply for the salary funds the HKSAR government introduced. HSBC would suspend the global layoff plans.

In Singapore, an infection group emerged in a foreign labor dormitory. 20,000 people are quarantined.

The USS Nimitz has become the 4th American aircraft carrier to have crew members contracted the coronavirus. Almost 2,000 American soldiers have contracted the virus.

American President Donald Trump criticized WHO for giving out false information.

Sources suggested that American Intelligences had warned the coronavirus would affect soldiers stationed in Asia back in November 2019.

WHO director Tedros criticized Taiwan for conducting racist and personal attack to him. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and Foreign Ministry strongly objected to the claim. Tsai Ing-wen also invited Tedros to visit Taiwan.

In Thailand, Pattaya would be locked down for 3 weeks.

Multiple European countries have loosened social distancing measures. Denmark is resuming classes next week.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson continues to stay in ICU, his symptoms have relieved.

France is extending lockdown; President Macron is giving a speech through television on Monday.

WTO expects the global trade this year would shrink by 13-32%, exceeding the shrink back in 2008 Financial Tsunami.

Source: Now News, Worldometer, Bangkok Post

#WHO Chief accuses #Taiwan of orchestrating racist attack

The World Health Organization chief Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus condemned the politicisation of Covid-19, claiming he has received death threats and racist insults during the coronavirus pandemic.

He pointed fingers at Taiwan for spearheading the insults at him. “Three months ago, this attack came from Taiwan.” “And Taiwan, the Foreign Ministry know the campaign.” “They didn’t disassociate themselves and even started criticizing me in the middle of all that insult and slur.”

Taiwan dismissed Tedros’ comments as “baseless”. Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen invited Tedros to visit Taiwan and stressed that “Taiwan has always opposed all forms of discrimination.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs demands Tedros to correct his claims and apologize to the people of Taiwan.

China's foreign ministry commented that it hopes Taiwan "will not politicize the pandemic or engage in any political maneuvering.”

Source: Apple Daily #Apr9
Image: #RebelPepper

Slip of the Tongue from P.K. Tang Shocks Legislative Councillors

In a Legislative Council Finance Committee meeting today, Dr. Cheung Chiu-hung questioned the Commissioner of Police P.K. Tang whether the police have been unjust while enforcing the law. To the shock of all the legislative councillors present, P.K. Tang responded by saying that he "disagreed that the police officers are enforcing the law in a just and unbiased manner." Later, he claimed that what he had said was a slip of the tongue and he clarified that the police “ would definitely enforce the law in a just and unbiased manner”.

Source: AM730 #Apr9 #PoliceState

#WhiteTerror
Teachers penalized for their pro-democracy behaviours and comments

Read the first part ⬆️:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19402

Regarding the 39 valid cases, the Bureau issued Letter of Condemnation and Warning letter to 13 and 4 teachers respectively. The Bureau reiterated that should concerning teachers could risk having their teaching qualifications revoked should they defy the Bureau’s advice and continue their inappropriate behavior.

Besides, the Bureau issued Letter of Caution to 9 teachers and provided verbal warning to another 13 teachers, advising them to respect the Code of Conduct and desist behaviours detrimental to the professional image of a teacher.

The remaining 39 cases were preliminarily assessed as pursuable, and had processed following prescribed procedures and follow-up actions would be decided pending concerning teachers’ feedback and responses.

Source : Stand News #Apr9 #HongKongProtest

Prosecutor with Outspoken Pro-Beijing Stance Allegedly Imposes Bias Against Pro-democracy Faction

Vivien Chan, the prosecutor who worked on the case pro-democracy lawmaker Au Nok-hin, was found disseminating strong worded criticisms on Facebook. She allegedly attacked local judges for 'siding' with protesters whom she called “yellow corpse”, “cockroaches” and “bastards”.

From the pro-Beijing news reports and videos she shares, her political stance concerning the anti-extradition law protests was clear. Chan expressed gratitude to the Police in suppressing pro-democracy protests, “rioters are morons disrupting social order even during epidemic outbreak. Arrest them all!”

In a post issued on Oct 16, 2019, Chan said, “Rioters! Bar Association and judges who supported them are all scumbags!” After a 22-year-old man charged with assaulting police was granted bail, Chan wrote “The bias and unfairness of numerous judges have already severely damaged Hong Kong’s rule of law, safety and freedom.”

In another Facebook post in October 2019, Chan wrote: “Talking about tolerating violence, Hong Kong judges are second to none. Thank you judges for granting the chaos in Hong Kong today".

Sham Shui Po Pro-democracy District councillor Ramon Yuen Hoi-man said Chan’s strong political stance made her unfit to be a prosecuting counsel. “The perception seems that Chan just wanted to prosecute Au at all costs.”

He also alleged that Chan had violated the Bar’s Code of Conduct with her remarks against judges, which is “likely to bring the profession of barrister into disrepute or diminish public confidence in the profession of barrister”.

The Bar Association gave no further moments but revealed that it was considering the complaints: “According to the Association’s policy, no comment will be made when the investigation is ongoing.”

Vivien Chan declined interview requests and refused to respond to further inquiries.

Source: Ming Pao; Stand News
Image: https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19405

#Apr9 #HongKongProtests #FairTrial #Court #Judiciary

Court Rules Pro-democracy Lawmaker Guilty of 'Assaulting the Police' with a Loudspeaker
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19313

#PoliceState #Triad
Police Ends Investigation on Fujian Triad Attack of RTHK Reporter and Arrests No One

On 11 Aug 2019, a RTHK English News reporter was assaulted by a man with baton, who allegedly belonged to the Fujian triad. The reporter was reporting on the attacks targeting pro-democracy protesters by the ‘Fujian triad’ in North Point, when he was beaten and left with bruises in his arm.

The reporter recently received a letter from the police, saying that the investigation was completed and no one was arrested.

When legislator Raymond Chan inquired the incident in the Legislative Council, Christopher Cheung from a pro-Beijing party called BPA, was displeased, criticizing Chan for being "racist" for saying “Fujian triad”.

In his reply, police chief Chris Tang only pointed out that each case is investigated based on evidence, and he would not comment on individual cases.

Source: Apple News; Stand News #Apr9
#Fujian

Pro-democracy restaurant received numbers of complaints and threats. T Tea House owner: Why do I have to be scared when I have done nothing wrong?

T Tea House, a restaurant in Tai Po, has been famous because of its pro-democracy stance. Since the restaurant spoke out last year, it has been crowded with customers every day. As the revenue boosted up, however, as well as the number of complaints and threats the restaurant received. The restaurant was also accused of violating the Trade Descriptions Ordinance and was required to make a statement at the police station a couple of weeks ago. Netizens were concerned that T Tea House was targeted because of its standpoint.

Read more: ⬇️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19452

Source: In Media HK #Apr9
#Threat #HongKongProtest

Pro-democracy restaurant received numbers of complaints and threats. T Tea House owner: Why do I have to be scared when I have done nothing wrong?

Read the first part: ⬆️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19451

Ben, owner of T Tea House, said the government department in charge even jokingly said they were the "No.1 in Tai Po" because of the overwhelming number of complaints they received. The restaurant's service had to be suspended for some time because of that. T Tea House has also received threatened phone calls and was splashed with red paint before.

"There's no reason I have to be scared", said Ben, "I've done nothing wrong". When being asked if he was worried about getting revenge when the movement cools down, Ben said "That's out of my hands. The government is so dirty, they can arrest anyone they don't like in just one word".

Source: In Media HK #Apr9
#Threat #HongKongProtest

Employees worry wage subsidies will end up going to employers' pockets

The government has announced wage subsidies as one of the relief measures to help eligible employers throughout the pandemic. Subsidies will be granted as long as the employers do not lay off employees. The catering industry, which has been greatly affected by the pandemic, is also eligible for the subsidies.

Source: Ming Pao #Apr9

Continue Reading: ⬇️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19454

Employees worry wage subsidies will end up going to employers' pockets

Read the First Part: ⬆️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19453

Ming Pao reporter was at Tsim Sha Tsui last night and noticed that most of the restaurants were very quiet, with only a table or two being filled. According to Ms. Chow, an employee of Thai restaurant Tiew Ruea Tor Charm, a number of her colleagues were being forced to take non-paid leave at the moment. She suspected if the amount of subsidy paid will be based on the wage level in the normal state. She was also worried that, because the subsidy goes to her employer first, part of the fund might be taken by the employer for other purposes before going to her pocket. Ms. Chow also criticized the government's long processing time, when the restaurant is already going through a serious financial hardship. "We will all be dead by the time the funds are approved". She also pointed out that even with the subsidies, the restaurants may still be unable to survive, which eventually would lead to unemployment.

The biggest worry is still the rent, wage subsidy is of little help. per restaurant owner

Ms. Yeung, owner of Full Viet Thai Restaurant said, the wage subsidy is "better than nothing" since she never expected any help from the government. She planned to apply for the subsidy, and said she will not lay off any of the five employees at the restaurant. "We are all very close", and she was glad that the employees could still make a living thanks to the subsidy. She also added that, the subsidy would all be used for supporting the employees, "It's okay if I end up getting less money".

Spokesperson of Kabo Burger, Mabel, said the biggest part of the operating expense is the rent, and the wage subsidy only "brought little relief". She said, "The market now is so unstable, we don't know what is going to happen tomorrow. It's hard to tell if the amount of subsidy is sufficient".

Source: Ming Pao #Apr9