The trend here is definitely continuing, with 48 new cases reported on Friday, March 20. That brings our total to 246. Most of the new cases are residents returning from overseas, seeking refuge from worsening situations in other countries.

A number of new infections have been found in Lan Kwai Fong, the entertainment district, where at least some people have continued to go to bars and restaurants. And two new cases involved people who used the gyms operated by Pure, where we are long-time members. 

Just a few days ago, I ran into an acquaintance coming from the Pure gym in the ICBC building, which I normally use as well. It's been at least two months since I have been, and Amelia and I have already suspended our memberships for now, but this person had been going regularly and didn't seem to think it was a problem. Now authorities have confirmed that one of the new cases had been to that very gym. Pure has announced the closure of many of its facilities for the next two weeks while they perform a "deep cleaning," but apparently they still plan to open again after that. I certainly hope my friend a) did not get infected and b) will stop going to the gym.

Hong Kong continues to pursue a public policy approach that's distinct from both mainland China and places like Northern Italy, New York and California. There are strict controls on arrivals (mandatory quarantining now for everyone arriving in the territory) but private businesses such as retailers, restaurants and bars are free to remain open. People are strongly encouraged to wear masks, but unlike in mainland China masks are not mandatory. 

Yesterday, I listened to this "Asia Matters" podcast in which several former colleagues of mine and some other speakers discussed how different Asian governments have handled the Covid-19 outbreak successfully and what lessons can be learned from their experience. At one point, one of the speakers suggested tentatively that a common factor of success in several places where the outbreak has come under control (Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea) is public confidence and trust in the authorities. 

But that is far from the case in Hong Kong, where trust in government has fallen sharply since the outbreak of the social unrest and violent anti-government protests of 2019. One thing most people across the political spectrum can agree on is the poor quality of political leadership in Hong Kong. 

So Hong Kong has still been pretty effective at managing the outbreak even with little public trust in the government. That may be because people still largely trust advice from health authorities such as Dr. Yuen Kwok Yung, who was a hero in the battle against SARS, and Hong Kongers largely do not need to be convinced to wear masks, wash their hands and adhere to good hygienic practices thanks to the memories of SARS. But as the latest cases suggest, Hong Kong is still vulnerable and even our ingrained habits of mask-wearing and hand washing may not be enough this time around. Whether the unique, quarantine-reliant, retail-friendly, curfew-free health policy approach pursued here is sustainable remain to be seen.