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Disclaimer: Getting labelled as “black journalist”, “rioters”, or being doxxed is within my expectations. But as a journalist who has witnessed the 48-hr lockdown in Jordan, and a long-time (20+ years) YMT resident, I feel like I have the right to write this: 1/ https://twitter.com/ginkgogoes/status/1353723968100810758
Rumors of a lockdown bounced around the district. Some people opted for temporarily leaving. I’m not gonna comment on whether this is the correct approach. More importantly though is that they don’t even get to choose this controversial approach because their entire living 2/
space is confined within 100 sq feet.
Some stores closed down on Friday night; some didn’t. A shop-owner said it’s because they are “tested negative. Indeed, sources said after the lockdown, they can order food from nearby restaurants within the area and buy stuff from stores, 3/
Some stores closed down on Friday night; some didn’t. A shop-owner said it’s because they are “tested negative. Indeed, sources said after the lockdown, they can order food from nearby restaurants within the area and buy stuff from stores, 3/
though they are banned from leaving the area.
By 4am on Saturday, Woosung, Nanking, Battle, Kansu street resembles an abandoned city.
Residents and shop-owners were cooperative. They would like to return to “normal routine” after getting tested. But all they get was 4/
By 4am on Saturday, Woosung, Nanking, Battle, Kansu street resembles an abandoned city.
Residents and shop-owners were cooperative. They would like to return to “normal routine” after getting tested. But all they get was 4/
white bread, instant noodles, macaroni, etc. when they are told they are on lockdown almost a half day after waiting with no response. No one was prepared for this. 5/
Some made snide comments to the residents saying “you are not gonna starve”, “it’s just like a typhoon stop moaning”, “what, you didn’t usually store food?”. These are comments made with little knowledge to the YMT and SSP districts (i.e. old)
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6/
Over the past 20 years, I have witnessed subdivided homes getting smaller and smaller, and the rent getting higher and higher (105 HKD per sq feet in Oct 2020); an aging population, many of which are living alone.
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If your home is only a 50 sq ft subdivided flat, with only a bed and a toilet, would you cook on your toilet or your bed? Would you have cooking utensils or a stove lying around? Or would you go to a restaurant literally downstairs?
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If your family of four live in a 200sq ft subdivided flat, do you think you would have enough space to store any food? If your salary is only several hundred HKD per day, do you think you as a part-time worker would have enough money to buy food? 9/
A lot of families don't even have a fridge. You wouldn’t expect them not to go out in a typhoon, would you?
If you are a 70-80yo elderly, do you think your body can tolerate canned luncheon meat, baked beans, instant noodles, all of which are high in salt and sugar?
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If you are a 70-80yo elderly, do you think your body can tolerate canned luncheon meat, baked beans, instant noodles, all of which are high in salt and sugar?
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A number of district councillors have already expressed intent to help with the logistics right after the rumors became known in the district. But the government did not respond at all.
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11/
Some residents belonging to ethnic minorities try to reach out to Home Affairs Department regarding milk formula, and they rejected their request with “we don’t know how to buy those”. Then it somehow turned into a “food safety problem” when they want to find fresh milk. 12/
Under normal circumstances social workers and volunteers will give the elderly warm food regularly. But the HAD cannot be reached (by phone), and the elderly were forced to wait 12 hours before having something to eat. 13/
Everyone knows the district is a hotspot for ethnic minorities, many of which are Muslims, but the gov give out pork-based luncheon meat and soup. Head executives in the government said “they provided many choices”. Well, what do you know, even the bread was made with LARD 14/
Journalists tried to call HAD by phone, and it took 20+ tries. But someone from the HAD HQ answered the call with a “we are not familiar with the YMT district” and zero assistance. One time, someone with the last name Yeung even left a “you guys find YMT DO yourself”.
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15/
Everyone in HK wants COVID to end.They can reach to their own conclusions whether lockdown actually works.But has the gov thought about the grassroots, elderly, and ethnic minorities?Is it justifiable to ignore them and treat them poorly just because they are underprivileged? 16/
I would like to have those head executives within the gov live in a 50sq ft space and eat those cold canned meat and sleep with trash for two days (just to have a taste of their lives). The government wants us to have empathy for them. Have they ever had empathy for us? 17/
I haven't done a translation in a long time but I feel like the extent of just how horrible the logistics of the Jordan lockdown isn't talked about enough and how the HK gov does not care about anyone in HK if they think they don't benefit them in some way.
