Today is Father’s Day. Like Mother’s Day last month, it seemed fated to be remembered for the dampeners of social distancing, face masks, limits on restaurant numbers and the like. Thankfully the government has relaxed that regime. And Father’s Day this year also coincides with day one of a plan for Hong Kong to spend its way out of recession induced by prolonged social unrest, compounded by the travel bans, business shutdowns and self-isolation prompted by the coronavirus pandemic. For today millions of eligible Hongkongers can begin applying for the government’s HK$10,000 (US$1,290) economic relief cash handout, and Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po has revealed a campaign to induce recipients to spend it locally. From next month, after distribution of the cash windfall begins, participating Hong Kong restaurants will offer discounts of 30 per cent on evening meals, falling to 20 per cent in August. It is hoped that 6,000 will sign up. Chan said that in coming days special deals would also be announced from retailers and the travel industry. So the three sectors hurt the most by measures imposed to snap the chain of coronavirus contagion would be putting up incentives to help kick-start economic recovery. It reflects a contagious optimism that good times could be back sooner rather than later if Hongkongers summon up their renowned resilience and self-reliance in adversity. Race for HK$71 billion cash heats up as Hong Kong banks dangle gold bar, iPhone Having been cooped up, distanced, masked and temperature-checked for so long, people are craving normal outings. Overseas holidays would be tempting. Retailers and restaurateurs may be fortunate that travel curbs and quarantine have limited competition for the consumer dollar from that quarter for the time being. Special offers can foster a favourable atmosphere for spending and spark an auspicious chain of consumption that would boost the local economy. That said, let’s not forget that first and foremost, even before we sign up online for the cash handout, today is when we celebrate fathers, and perhaps contemplate how some of that HK$10,000 can be put into circulation with special thank-you gifts for both the mums and dads who shouldered the main burden of shutdowns, isolation and home-schooling.