🌊Mo Li is awake!

HK's voucher scheme spending

Aug 7

Good morning,

Pop quiz! I’m sure those weren’t the words you were hoping to see for today’s Tide, but just to keep y’all on your toes, here are a few questions to see how much attention you’ve been paying. Hoping this doesn’t bring back too many distressing flashbacks for those both in and out of school.

Without further ado, please complete the Vine:

It is _________ , my dudes.
I love myself. Even though I look like a ___________, I still love myself.
Two guys, chillin in a ______ , _ feet apart ‘cause they’re not gay
Road work ahead??

Done? Already? Congrats, answers will be at the end of the ‘Events’ section for those of you bothering to check. Your reward awaits…

-Charlotte

On Today’s Tide

Breaking | MIRROR dancer Mo Li is finally awake!!!
COVID |
- Jab the toddlers- threshold perhaps lowered for 4th shot
- BA.5 Omicron variant may become HK’s main strain
Society |
- Check out the new anti-mosquito measures
- Voucher scheme Sunday
Weather | Typhoon warning incoming for Monday
Events

Behind the paywall:

John | ‘Fitness is my passion’ - CE promotes Sport For All Day 2022
Politics | Regina Ip heavily argues against Carrie Lam’s previous plan to use Fanling golf course for housing

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Injured MIRROR dancer awakens from 10-day coma

After 10 days of being in an induced coma, 27-year-old Mo Li, the MIRROR backing dancer injured by a 600-kg falling screen, has finally awakened.

According to SCMP, Li is in danger of being paralysed from the neck down. His third and fourth sections of his cervical vertebrae were impacted, as well as his head and neck.

His father, Pastor Derek Li, said his son could carry out simple communication. He urges supporters to pray not only for Mo Li’s speedy recovery, but also for the other two injured dancers, Chang Tsz-fung and Zisac Law.

“[Mo Li] has woken up … and needs everyone’s prayers and encouragement so that he will recover as soon as possible with God’s grace and possibly return to the stage.”

Meanwhile, Sunday morning yielded another visit to the Coliseum from the task force sent to investigate the source of the screen crash. Vaguely, there have been new discoveries on this subject, but not much has been revealed by the authorities.

We too hope that Mo Li and everyone else impacted by the accident will get better soon.

Hong Kong SAR Government News @newsgovhk

The Centre for Health Protection says it is investigating 4,035 additional locally acquired #COVID19 cases and that it cannot rule out the possibility of #Omicron subvariant BA.5 becoming the circulating strain in Hong Kong

news.gov.hkBA.5 may become main strain in HKThe Centre for Health Protection says it is investigating 4,035 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases and that it cannot rule out the possibility of Omicron subvariant BA.5 becoming the circulating strain in Hong Kong.

COVID-19 in Hong Kong

New cases: 4,275 (239 imported)
Total cases: 1,385,242
New deaths: 5
Total deaths: 9,540

Age threshold for jabs possibly lowered

For the fourth shot of the vaccine everyone loves getting, HK’s authorities are considering lowering the age threshold for inoculation. Currently those aged 18-59 are advised to get their fourth dose six months or more after receiving their third jab.

CU professor David Hui says this potential change comes in preparation for any new potential strains in the winter. Hui says, “It’s only a matter of time that the age threshold will be lowered for getting the fourth jab as people’s antibody levels will drop after a certain period of time from their third shot or previous infection.”

This comes after Professor Lau Yu-lung, head of the government’s vaccination committee, says that far too few young’uns are getting their jabs. Less than 1 percent of under-3-year-olds in HK have either gotten a shot or have been booked for one, since this option was made available for their age group last Thursday.

Parents are understandably still concerned about the safety of the vaccines, and so Lau urges their family practicioners/pediatricians to address their concerns for transparency.

A fourth vaccine dose can be taken by those aged 18 to 59 at least six months after the third jab. Photo: Edmond So — Image via SCMP.

BA.5 on the rise?

Hui also says that a spike in infections will depend on whether the BA.5 Omicron strain becomes the main strain in HK. As predicted from the coronavirus’ reproduction rate, the number of daily cases is expected to rise gradually. BA.5 is more transmissible between individuals, but so far has not been shown to increase fatalities or severity of the infection. On social restriction measures, Hui adds:

“As long as most of the cases are mild with few serious infections and deaths, there is no need to further tighten social-distancing curbs as this will pose a serious impact on the economy…We need to strike a balance.”

New release: anti-mosquito measures

Over the past month, 75 malaria cases from Africa have been recorded in HK, though according to medical experts, there’s no need to worry- since transmission isn’t from person to person and patients can be cared for in hospitals.

The anopheline mosquito that transmits malaria is not commonly found in HK, though Tse Chin-wan, the secretary for Environment and Ecology, notes that the public should still stay wary.

As such governmental anti-mosquito measures have been upped, including increasing prevention and defensive measures against the dastardly mosquitoes at appropriate/high-risk areas - e.g. applying larvicide at some locations.

All about that consumption voucher dough

The first instalment of the final round of consumption vouchers (for now) was officially made available for collection on Sunday morning. HKD$2000 is now available for collection for those eligible, including an expanded group of about 300,000 people who don’t have permanent residency.

To mark the occasion many businesses are spewing forth special offers and discounts to attract customers. For instance, Sun Hun Kai Properties is offering about HK$4 million in rewards at 12 of their major shopping malls. Lucky draws with pricey prizes (incl. a HK$273k car, Apple electronics) can also be found.

Paul Chan, alongside Jessie Wong, certainly looks proud at the economy booster they’ve put out into the world. A “multiplier” and “revitalisation” effect is expected for the city’s economy with this increase in consumer spending.

Finance chief Paul Chan and Jessie Wong, head of the budget and tax policy unit at the Financial Secretary’s Office, announce details of the scheme earlier this year. Photo: Edmond So — Image via SCMP.

Like the popular BBL (Brazilian butt-lift, a popular and very dangerous plastic surgery procedure), the consumption voucher scheme also involves displacing hardily produced rolls (one of injected body fat, the other of hard cash) and funneling them into more ‘desirable’ places.

Well, economic surgeon Chan’s scheme seems to be working so far on public morale, seeing as some had already spent their vouchers by that same Sunday morning. Where are our High Tide readers spending their cut?

Yet another summer typhoon incoming

Rounding off with a nice little weather report: on Monday (today, if you needed a reminder) at the earliest, yet another typhoon’s supposed to form. The No. 1 typhoon signal will then be issued.

Our yet unchristened tropical cyclone is supposed to move towards the western Guangdong province and Hainan Island as of Sunday. Cheers to our second in a week since last Wednesday’s!

Rainstorms and thunderclouds are expected for Tuesday and Wednesday- stay dry.

Events and deals

Support Harbour Times, our friends and partners by attending these events! Let everyone know who sent you by tagging @harbourtimes

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Where: Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai
When: 6–8 Sep 2022 (Tue-Thu)
How much: Free!

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

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Answers: Wednesday / burnt chicken nugget / hot tub, 5 / uhh yeah, I sure HOPE it does!

Charlotte’s commentary:

4/4: great freakin job my dude, u have truly lived thru the 2010s. rad
3/4: soon, young Padawan~ pretty cool work
2/4: alright, not bad. pat on the back. this is only the beginning of the Tide readership’s induction into immortal vine quotes
≤ 1/4: uhh well at least you tried, and now u will know this (generally useless) info in passing :) have a great day!