LettersCoronavirus epidemic leaves no room for discrimination and petty politics in Hong Kong

A restaurant chain’s blatant discrimination against people from the mainland and protesters’ celebration of a police officer taking ill have crossed the boundaries of decency

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Kwong Wing Catering notified its customers that its staff would only take orders in Cantonese and English, making it clear Mandarin-speakers are not welcome. Photo: Twitter

Published: 6:40am, 25 Feb 2020Updated: 6:40am, 25 Feb 2020

English historian Edward Gibbon once said, “Fanaticism obliterates the feelings of humanity.” This probably explains why some people in society have sunk so low these days.

Recently, a restaurant chain was found to be engaging in discriminatory practices. This was followed by reports that protesters gathered in a mall in Central and celebrated with beer and champagne the news that a police officer had been infected with Covid-19.

I couldn’t help but wonder whether our society is now firmly shackled by hate and evil.

After more than half a year of civil unrest, Hong Kong’s society has been torn asunder. And we are now facing a public health emergency. The double whammy is hurting us and, to make matters worse, the government has been far from competent in handling the crises.

That said, no amount of rationalisation can justify such blatant discrimination and sickening behaviour. These actions contradict protesters’ supposedly noble values, ideas and beliefs.

Anti-government protesters place beer on the ground to celebrate the news that a police officer had been infected by the coronavirus, during a rally in Central on February 21. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} A restaurant chain’s blatant discrimination against people from the mainland and protesters’ celebration of a police officer taking ill have crossed the boundaries of decency

A restaurant chain’s blatant discrimination against people from the mainland and protesters’ celebration of a police officer taking ill have crossed the boundaries of decency