🌊Paul Chan Schroedinger's COVID
🌊Paul Chan Schroedinger's COVID
Typhoon Nalgae knocked over a tree
Good morning,
The storm didn’t actually get very bad where I live till about 11pm last night, and so I spent yesterday afternoon trying to make business calls only to realize…nothing’s open despite no wind.
And then wind came and it was pretty bad.
How was your typhoon night?
— Cyril
On Today’s Tide
Weather | All typhoon signals dropped at 5am
COVID |
Paul Chan tested positive but went to the Summit anyway
Appeal against gov decision to change vax exemption law dropped
Transport | Kowloon East Light Rail Confirmed
Events
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All typhoon signals dropped
As of 5:20am this morning, all typhoon signals were dropped as Typhoon Nalgae weakened and moved away from Hong Kong.
Aside from a bottle of coffee getting knocked over onto my carpet, not too much damage was done otherwise.
The government reported 11 fallen trees and no floods. The most prominent tree to fall was a 10m tall tree in Mong Kok that knocked over a lamp post and damaged a nearby building.
A yacht in Yau Ma Tei typhoon shelter was also found capsized, but no one was found in the waters nearby after a Fire Services emergency investigation.
No casualties were recorded; one woman was injured and was treated at A&E.
Schools resumed this morning with the exception of special needs schools and morning-only kindergartens.
COVID in Hong Kong
COVID-19 in Hong Kong
New cases: 4709 (430 imported)
Total cases: 1,927,835
New deaths: 8
Total deaths: 10,418
Compulsory Testing locations: N/A due to bad weather
Paul Chan Schroedinger’s COVID
The government admitted yesterday that FS Paul Chan’s COVID results when he landed were positive, but that he was asymptomatic and non-contagious, and therefore allowed to go to the summit.
The press release went on to explain that patients who caught COVID in the past three months often have high CT numbers (therefore testing technically positive). They would be allowed to board to Hong Kong provided their pre-flight test was negative, but whether they need to isolate would depend on their actual health status.
The release noted that between 26 Sept and 1 Nov, 455 such cases were allowed into HK without a red code.
The DH decided that Paul Chan’s status was safe enough to be let loose - although he is banned from having meals and banquets with fellow banking geusts.
He was one of the few guests seen wearing a mask at the summit - even CE John Lee was giving speeches maskless.
Vax exemption saga probably actually over now
The High Court has struck down a second appeal by the ‘King of Judicial Reviews’ Kwok Cheuk-Kin against the government who changed the law to continue annuling 20,000 COVID exemption certificates.
The courts said that the government move was ‘reasonable’ with Justice Russell Coleman adding that the law had already been changed, and any further challenges will only delay the case longer.
Kowloon East Light Rail Confirmed
A government plan to create a light rail system for sprawling East Kowloon is unlikely to include direct connections with the proposed (but partially limbo’d) Kai Tak monorail project.
The proposed East Kowloon Line (EKL) originally connected Diamond Hill with Kwun Tong and Tseung Kwan O through the hilly areas of Choi Wan, Shun Tin, Sau Mau Ping and Po Tat.
However, after years of further study, the Transport Department confirmed yesterday that East Kowloon will instead have a ‘elevated trackless rapid transit system’ which will fare better both in terms of cost and logistics with the hilly areas of East Kowloon. The line will also be shortened to only serve Choi Hung through to Sau Mau Ping without connecting the TKO line.
However, there will be more interim stations including to Shun On, and Shun Lee (rather than just Shun Tin - down with Shun Tin supremacy!).
Events and deals
Support Harbour Times, our friends and partners by attending these events! Let everyone know who sent you by tagging @harbourtimes
Underground 18th Anniversary Concert
The Underground turns 18!…well they turned 18 months ago but with live music cancelled for so long, it’s only now that we can really celebrate!
Come along for a night of fun featuring local bands Gwenji, Transmission, What They Do, Hybrid Stereo and Parallel Horizons.
Where: Rula Live, Lan Kwai Fong
When: 19/11, 9pm till late
Cost: $140 (early bird) to $200 (on the door)
CHOMP! One Year Anniversary Party!
Our friends at CHOMP! are turning one! We first met the founders of the food saving app, Chris and Carla, at ReThink 2021 and we’ve since featured Carla as a Leader of The Week and in articles on sustainability.
Come celebrate with us on 11 Nov as we bring in another year of not throwing away food that’s still good.
Where: House Studio, Soho House. Sheung Wan
When: 11/11, 7-11pm
Cost: $100 (+fees)
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