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We provide translation of news in English from local media and other sources, for academic use.
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#PoliceState
Hundred Riot Police Encircle Protesting Residents in Kowloon Bay to Make Arrests and Take Photos of Civilians

2238 | Kowloon Bay
At least one citizen was arrested.

2240
Some pro-government residents provoked the protestors, entering in an argument. Riot police suddenly dashed out and used pepper-spray on the protestors to disperse them.

2241
About a hundred riot police arrived at the scene.

2244
Some officers used torches with strong beams on citizens and journalists.

2250
During the police operation, some citizens fell off the ground. First-aiders rushed to provide medical aid to the victims.

2256
A police pointed his pepper spray right at the face of an unarmed citizen.

2300
A St.John Ambulance car left the scene.

2305
Other riot police took photos of citizens from their vehicles.

Source: Rthk; Apple Daily #Feb16

#HealthCrisis #GovernanceCrisis #FailedState #ChinesePneumonia #QuarantineCenter
Media is too big
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
#FirstHand #Protests
Irascible Police Treats Civilians Impolitely

2307 | Kowloon Bay
An irascible officer shouted at journalists, saying "stop pretending to be journalists behind them!" However, no one seemed to care and persisted with their work.

#Feb16 #HealthCrisis #GovernanceCrisis #FailedState #ChinesePneumonia #DesignatedClinics
#FirstHand #Feb16
Police Clash with Civilians in Kowloon Bay, turning the scene into chaos

2248 | Kowloon Bay
More riot police clashed into Richland Gardens, a high-density middle class residential estate. While some journalists and citizens were pepper-sprayed, others fell off the ground when the police charged in.

Police treated the citizens extremely impolitely, using torches with strong beams on them at very close distance.

A citizen voiced his discontent over the police's handling of the scene. When the police threatened to pepper-spray a citizen, a journalist pointed out that he had been cooperating all along, and hoped the officer could explain if he did anything wrong. However, the officer continued to mistreat people. When citizens asked the police for their warrant card, the officer concerned was ushered away by his colleagues.

#HealthCrisis #GovernanceCrisis #FailedState #ChinesePneumonia #QuarantineCenter
#FirstHand #Protests
Two Tales of a Community: District Councilor's First-hand Stories From His Constituency

On the rally, a Shatin District Councilor shared 2 stories surrounding the Chun Yeung Estate.

The first is a family of three, a single mother with 2 children, one of whom had ADHD. They had lived in a ramshackle subdivided flat for about 8 years, and finally found their way into the public rental housing. “Then they knew about Chun Yeung Estate,” the councilor said, incandescent with rage. “Why should the government make its citizens pay more for her own policy failures? How irresponsible!”

Another story is from a worker in the catering industry. “Tens of thousands of people work in the areas surrounding Chun Yeung Estate, many of which were either from the logistics industry or the food management industry,” the counselor explained. “He was extremely concerned that if any waste from the quarantine center were not treated properly, it would pollute nearby sewage treatment and even water sources, affecting the Food management factories nearby, with disastrous results to all of Hong Kong.”

#Feb16 #HealthCrisis #GovernanceCrisis #FailedState #ChinesePneumonia #QuarantineCentre
#HealthCrisis #HongKongMedics
Stinky Sewage Liquid, Dust and Stains: Poor Sanitary Condition in Tuen Mun Hospital Dormintory

Hong Kong's Tuen Mun Hospital is notorious in the medical sector for being “hellish”, especially for their nurse’s dormitories. During the coronavirus outbreak, many medical workers decided to move into the hosoital dormitory provided by the hospital, in order to avoid infecting their family members after coming into close contact with coronavirus patients. However, the living condition of the dormitories provided by the hospital is far below standard.

According to medical staff, stinky sewage liquid in black came out from the water faucet in the washroom for at least 10 minutes. The stained-filled mattresses, countertops, floor tiles and rugs were covered in dust. The poor sanitary conditions in these dormitories showed a lack of maintenance and cleanliness over a long period of time.

Source: Stand News #Feb14
http://bit.ly/38qSCpt
#HA #HAEA #TuenMunHospital #CoronavirusOutbreak
#Borders #FailedState
Growth in Passenger Traffic From China to Hong Kong Despite Coronavirus Outbreak: 65% Increase in the In-flow of Non-Hong Kong Residents

While Hong Kong-China borders remain open, passenger traffic has increased despite that compulsory quarantine measures were imposed on February 8. This disproves Carrie Lam's claim made on Feb 14 that about the decrease in the cross-border inflow of people into Hong Kong.

In fact, apart from the first two days after the quarantine measure was in effect, passenger traffic at the Shenzhen Bay port has continued to increase.

As of Feb 14, the quarantine centers have been occupied by 67%.

Source: Stand News #Feb15
http://bit.ly/2Hq45JV

#HealthCrisis #GovernanceCrisis #ChinesePneumonia
#BattleAgainstAuthoritarianism
Kwai Tsing Residents Suggest Alternative Location for Quarantine Facility

On Sunday, February 16, over 400 Kwai Tsing residents joined the march initiated by the pro-democracy district councilors.

They proposed alternative locations that are further away from residential area such as Kwai Chung Park, vacant government dormintory and Disneyland, for the government to set up quarantine facilities.

The residents opposed the government's current plan to set up designated clinic for the highly contagious Wuhan pneumomia within the 100,000-populated district and near other health facilities for infants, mothers and thr elderly.

Since the authorities had been ignoring citizens' demands, the residents, old and young, had no other way but to take it to the street. They still hoped the government would listen, as alternatives were available.

Source: Stand News #Feb16
#HealthCrisis #GovernanceCrisis #FailedState #ChinesePneumonia #QuarantineCenter
Police Obstruct Lawful Protest from Taking Place On Time, Police Ask Reporter: "Do you guys get paid?”

In Fo Tan, residents protested against the government's use of Chun Yeung Estate as Isolation Centre on Sunday, February 16.

Having obained the letter of no objection from the police, the rally originally scheduled at 3pm was, however, delayed till 5pm due to police opposition.

Special Crowd Management vehicles and Unimog Vehicles were on site standing by, while the police set up road blocks at Fo Tan to search passing vehicles. Starting from 3pm, there had been stop- and- search operations in multiple areas in Fo Tan, during which two reporters were searched and were asked by policemen, “Does the Stand News sell newspaper?”, “Do you guys get paid?”, “Do you guys need to standby at all
times?”

Source: Stand News #Feb16

#HealthCrisis #GovernanceCrisis #FailedState #ChinesePneumonia #QuarantineCenter
#Temple #HealthCrisis
Traces of Coronsvirus Found on Tap Handle and Prayer Book at a Temple in Hong Kong

Seven people who worshipped at same temple, Fook Wai Ching She in North Point, had contracted the coronavirus.

Traces of the coronavirus was
discovered on the tap handle in the bathroon and a prayer book.

Source: Stand News; RTHK #Feb25
#ChinesePneumonia
#FirstHand #Petition
Students and District Councilor Set Up Counter to Petition for Stronger Epidemic-fighting Measures

1430 | Mong Kok
The Student Front Union and Mong Kok District Councillor Ben Lam Siu-pan set up a street counter to campaign for the epidemic-fighting five demands. They explained the influence of the Coronavirus on students to surrounding crowds, and criticized Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s ineffective policies in fighting the epidemic, and the dangers she posed on the health of the Hong Kong public. They made a stern stand, stating that only with the complete closure of borders with China can the government stop the spread of the Coronavirus from China, its source, and reduce pressure on medical staff.

#Feb29 #ChinesePneumonia #HealthCrisis #FailedState
#Hospital #MedicalPrecautions
Princess Margaret Hospital Limiting Anaesthesia Staff to 1 Protective Gown per Patient

On 19 February, the Hospital Authority “downgraded” protective clothing for staff in isolation wards from the blue-coloured, water-resistant AAMI Level 3 surgical gowns to the yellow-coloured Level 1 surgical gowns. They further requested anaesthesia staff to use only one single gown for each patient, even if it comes into contact with bodily fluids. According to anaesthesia staff, they would normally change out of their gowns after intubating a patient and then put on a clean one at the end of the procedure when they extubate and wake the patient. This is done in case contamination occurs during intubation.

Staff are also required to register each time they take a new set of protective gear. Because they are only allowed one set per operation, so they have no choice but to hang up their used gowns in the operating room, sometimes on drip stands, and save them for when they return at the end of the operation (see picture).

Some medical staff believed this request from the HA to be frugal with protective gear had gone too far. Their concern was that intubation is an aerosol-generating procedure. (It is suspected that COVID-19 can be transmitted via aerosol droplets.)

According to a spokesperson at Princess Margaret Hospital, the grade level of protective gear is normally determined by the risk level of the procedures involved. It was also stated that a limit was not imposed on the anaesthesia staff’s usage of protective gear, although the hospital did admit that they have been requiring anaesthesia staff members to register each time they take a set of protective gear to keep records of usage. In addition, all staff members have been advised to be prudent with their usage of protective gear.

Previously, Apple Daily has made public an anti-epidemic progress report submitted to the Central Government disclosing details regarding the Hospital Authority’s medical supplier, Medicom. Medicom’s factory is located in mainland China and is under the Central Government’s control. Supposedly, their scheduled shipment of surgical masks and protective clothing was not delivered on time. This was pointed out as the main reason why medical staff in Hong Kong have been experiencing a shortage of protective gear.

Source: Apple Daily
#Feb28 #HealthCrisis #Protection
#ChinesePneumonia #HealthCrisis
Police Patrolling in Tsim Sha Tsui Bar District; Enforcing Ban on 4+ People Gatherings

2010 | Knutsford Terrace
Teams of police officers patrolled along the bar district in Tsim Sha Tsui to prohibit any group gathering of more than four persons.

2014 |
The inspection team included officers from Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and Yau Tsim Mong District Anti Triad Squad. Please note that large number of prosecutors may induce a high risk of virus transmission.

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Police measured the distances between two tables in a bar to monitor the implementation of "Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirement and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation".

2130 |
A person was carried off to police station for being unable to show proof of his identity.

Source: RTHK, Apple Daily
#Mar28 #TsimShaTsui #KnutsfordTerrace
Hong Kong Police Force apologises for officer hindering medical staff's epidemic prevention work ⬇️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19020

Picture: Hong Kong Police Force
#Mar27 #ChinesePneumonia #PoliceState #HealthCrisis
Hong Kong Police Force apologises for officer hindering medical staff's epidemic prevention work

Read the apology by Police Force ⬆️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19019

The Police expressed deep regret for the female officer who contracted Coronavirus, and refused to put on mask when receiving medical examination in Caritas Hospital.

The female police officer was not wearing filter mask when phlebotomists collected her blood sample, so they were deemed close contacts of the officer and required to undergo a quarantine for 14-days. One of the phlebotomists was not well and sought medical assistance in Accident & Emergency unit of the hospital.

The police stated on its social media platform today (March 27) that the Force is deeply concerned, expressing that the officer had insufficient awareness of epidemic prevention. They have immediately approached her to understand the incident and asked her to follow instructions of medical staff to protect others from being infected.

In order to prevent similar incidents, the police remind all its officers to support medical staff's epidemic prevention work and to maintain personal hygiene at all times to reduce the risk in virus transmission.

Editor Note: The police has been wearing masks in previous monthes, before the outbreak, to hide their identities. However, in the past few weeks, quite a number of police officers could be seen without masks when conducting their operation.

Source : RTHK #Mar27

Related News: Police officer contracted Coronavirus refuses to wear mask, putting safety of medical staff at risk
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19002

#ChinesePneumonia #PoliceState #HealthCrisis
#Dentistry #CivilServant
Government dental services carry on routine duty without washout period during coronavirus outbreak

The facebook page of Civil Servants' Secrets, where whistleblowers' messages are published, revealed on March 30, 2020 that dentists and dental nurses working in government's clinics were demanded to take up coronavirus inspection work in ports or Asia-Expo once or twice a week.

Without any washout period, they are directly sent back to carry on their routine services at dental clinics after the inspection work. At the port areas, they gave out quarantine orders to overseas arrivals and collect samples of sputum from those passengers with onset of Coronavirus.

Source: Facebook Page of Civil Servants' Secrets

#Mar30 #ChinesePneumonia #GlobalOutbreak #WashoutPeriod #HealthCrisis