Good morning,

Fancy a banana? Or an omelette? Or why not just combine the two and bring back some 2016 trend of the “healthy” banana pancake? I’m really making these because making actual pancakes that taste a good deal better seems like a giant hassle, but these aren’t bad. (10 - π)/10.

Recipe: mash one banana. Mix with 2 eggs until homogeneous. (Add some cinnamon.) Cook over low heat in a pan. Serve with whatever condiments. My suggestions: peanut butter, berries, whipped cream, syrup/honey, go nuts.

-Charlotte

On Today’s Tide

1. Not so bussin | Public transport bus companies merge

2. Law & Crime | Veteran activist jailed for protest planning

3. COVID |

   • Social distancing measures extended to Jul 27th

   • Poll reveals upsetting COVID toll on ethnic minority workers

   • Some elective surgeries suspended by public hospitals

4. Politics | Free tongue twister headlines

   • John Lee’s housing task forces’ first get-together!

   • 2.5% pay rise for civil servants approved

Behind the paywall:

1. Health | Study onto long COVID to be conducted- recruiting now!

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One bus company to rule them all

But it’s not as bussin as it sounds. The public transport bus companies ‘Citybus’ and ‘New World First Bus’ will merge into a single franchise, to be called ‘Citybus Ltd'. (Condolences to the latter NWFB) The franchise’s owner will invest HK$3.5 billion over the franchise term.

This move was to stem losses and was part of a 10-year franchise renewal by the government in order to fine-tune the city’s bus network and deploy resources more flexibly from the single company, according to a spokesman.

However, a transport workers’ union said this would reduce competition and also was not solving underlying issues at the two companies.

The merger won’t affect current bus fares or current routes, though relevant route tweaks will be handled by the government’s annual route planning programme.

Citybus Ltd. will make its debut after July 1 next year, after the two individual franchises officially terminate.

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75-year-old activist sentenced for planning coffin protests

A 9-month jail sentence was delivered to veteran activist Koo Sze-Yiu for planning a protest outside the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government earlier this year.

He planned to display a handcrafted coffin covered with protest slogans and political demands, something he has done before. On February 4th, police raided his flat to discover the political prop.

On Tuesday Koo was charged and convicted with attempting to or preparing to commit an act or acts with seditious intention at West Kowloon Court. He vowed to become a “martyr” for democracy and human rights.

“I have no regrets for the path I took. I shall rise again every time I fall, without the least bit of repentance…Democracy and human rights are above everything. The rights of a human are bigger than a country.”

The activist has 14 previous convictions, but will be eligible for early release next month.

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COVID in Hong Kong

Aaron Busch @tripperhead

• New reported PCR+ cases: 1103 📈 (+37) • New reported RAT+ cases: 1455 📉 (-90) • Imported: 211 📉 (-41) • New cases reported July 12t: 2759 📉 (-94) • Total cases: 1,276,676 • Local Cases 5th Wave: 1,256,534 • Total Deaths: 9,420 • 5th Wave deaths: 9,207

July 12th 2022

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• New cases: 2,759 (211 imported)

• Total cases: 1,276,676

• New deaths: 1

• Total deaths: 9,207

Social distancing update

• The existing social distancing measures will be extended until July 27th.

How the 5th wave has impacted ethnic minority groups

• A survey conducted by Hong Kong Unison found that 48.9% - NEARLY HALF - of interviewed members of ethnic minority groups in HK were jobless during the 5th wave’s peak.

Public hospitals suspend elective surgeries

• The increase in daily COVID cases has led to HK’s public hospitals suspending some non-urgent surgical procedures, so medical personnel and resources can be reallocated to combatting the virus’ spread.

• Dr. Albert Au Ka-wing of the Centre for Health Protection says:

  “The number of confirmed cases and the hospitalised patients have shown a continuous upward trend, which doubled about every 10 to 14 days.”

  “If the trend continues, it will probably reach 5,000 or 6,000 in two weeks.”

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New admin’s housing task force updates

Buckle up, kids. Forget about the release of Stranger Things’ newest (probably last?) season coming sometime in 2023. Why worry about that when you can wait instead for the housing task reports from the new administration? Coming by September, as pledged so far.

These enthralling reports will talk of land supply forecasts and measures to speed up the construction of public flats.

Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong said that in the next 5 years, there were targets to add about 100k more public housing units, and over 230k more units by 2032 over the second 5-year period.

On Tuesday, 2 working groups set up by John Lee’s new administration had their first meetings. Presumably to get started on the lofty promised goal of bettering living conditions for HK’s underprivileged.

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Pay raises for civil servants approved

By 2.5%. This pay increase for all government workers was formally approved by the Hong Kong Executive Council. On Tuesday the proposal was sent to the legislature, where it will most likely pass.

This 2.5% rate is below what major unions wanted. Just last week civil service unions demanded a face-to-face meeting with John Lee to express their dissent over this “insulting” pay offer.

It’s a HK$6.8 Billion more from taxpayers per year (projected). The pay increase will take place from last April.

Events and deals

• Craft Logic 1 Year Anniversary

Our HT x partner Craft Logic celebrates their one year anniversary later this month on 24 July. Free craft beers and rare bottle sharing, lucky draws, discounts on other products.

And best of all - supporting local businesses and supporting us local media.

Where: Craft Logic, Central
When: 24 July, 18:00-22:00

For more local events, check out yesterday’s High Tide.

• Making Philosophy Relevant: How Philosophy helps us live a happier life?

In a new collaboration between the Goethe-Institut HK and philosophy outreach program ‘Corrupt the Youth’, German philosopher Wilhelm Schmid speaks about how philosophy can help us lead a happier life.

Sign-up for his talk so he can make you happy!

Where: Library, Goethe-Institut HK
When: 14th July, 19:30-21:00
How much: $50HKD
How to sign up: www.art-mate.net (2829 9917)
or email library-hongkong@goethe.de

Limited Seats. Please register on or before 12th July 2022.

• ReThink HK returns 5-6 Oct

HT is proud to once again be a media partner for ReThink - HK’s biggest and most exciting sustainability conference. This year’s conference invites more than 300 expert speakers to share their visions and insights, covering important topics like economic progression while coexisting with nature harmoniously, efficient use of resources, transformation to a low-carbon society, and circular economy for future generations.

Sign up here using the code HTP22 for 40% off!

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