"Face masks return to the streets as people brace for an outbreak of the deadly flu"

According to an Honorex pharmacy manager, "Face masks and alcoholic gels are the most sought-after items. I think sales will do well this week".

Implications/Analysis/Comments/Remarks: Many people are wearing face masks now and there's a liquid alcohol rub in practically every lobby/common sitting area.

According to Lam Shing-kui, Deputy general secretary of the Hong Kong Football Association, "We did this AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE. Spectators WOULD HAVE BEEN in close contact had the stadium been packed, but today, the crowd was not that big".

Implications/Analysis/Comments/Remarks: Normally, one would hope for a stadium to be "packed" for a game/match with spectators/fans cheering on their favorite club/team, but during a pandemic-like outbreak like we are experiencing right now, supporting your favorite team is less important than protecting yourself from a potentially fatal/deadly/lethal disease.

"Beijing bans all direct flights from Mexico"

According to a government statement, "China has informed the government of Mexico and the airline about THE decision. Normal operation of the route will resume when the epidemic spread is under control".

Implications/Analysis/Comments/Remarks: "THE decision?" Was Mexico involved in the negotiations/discussions? Or was there a discussion at all? It is far more likely that China decided to ARBITRARILY ban ALL flights from Mexico until THEY decide otherwise and this isn't surprising.

According to an air industry source, "The ban will double the cost of (Mexico-China) airfares and stretch the flight for many more hours. But nowadays EVERY ROUTE (?) leads to China. If a passenger comes to Shanghai via Germany I AM AFRAID (that) they will pass the border check more easily".

Implications/Analysis/Comments/Remarks: Here's yet another misguided statement from the Chinese. "Every route leads to China"? If we fly from New York's LaGuardia to San Francisco, does that route lead to China? And not ALL Mexicans have swine flu. It's just that more people in Mexico are getting infected with swine flu than in other countries. This reinforces the Chinese government's arrogance and protectionist policies. Remember Donald Tsang's statement that "..THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT will always provide strong backing to us?" His support for China is blind. Mr. Chief Executive, even if you love a country, it still has the capacity/capability/potential to make a mistake. President Obama is American and he loves his country just like you love China, but he has yet to offer even a hint that the US is perfect. NO ONE is perfect, Mr. Chief Executive.

According to an epidemiologist at the Wuhan Institute of Virology at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, "As a result, the government is using the ban AS A LAST RESORT to keep the virus from entering China. But, on the other hand, OFFICIALS MAY HAVE OVERREACTED. The United States has not closed its borders AND SO FAR, NOT A SINGLE US CITIZEN HAS DIED FROM THE VIRUS. THE VIRUS IS NEW AND IT HAS CAUGHT US BY SURPRISE. But NO SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE shows it is more lethal than a seasonal flu. WHY PANIC? We might need it after all to acquire some immunity when the real virus hits".

Implications/Analysis/Comments/Remarks: It doesn't appear as if China is banning Mexicans "as a last resort". Having said that, this epidemiologist has made many valid points: "officials may have overreacted" (this is common), "The virus is new and it has caught us by surprise" and "no scientific evidence..." We should use reason and logic and support whoever is right REGARDLESS OF WHICH COUNTRY THEY ARE FROM OR POLITICAL AFFILIATION. The only gripe/complaint we can have about this person's statement are the words "Why panic?" Some people are indeed panicking. Maybe they're overreacting or maybe they aren't. All we can say is that our OPTIMISM should be GUARDED at this time because the rate of infections is decreasing (which is reason for optimism), BUT THEY COULD PICK UP AGAIN AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE (hence we can't be putting a "Mission Accomplished" sign just yet like former President George W. Bush did after Saddam Hussein was ousted in 2006).

"HK mulling travel ban on Mexicans, health chief says"

According to Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food York Chow, "WE TALKED TO THE MEXICAN CONSULATE and said we could impose an entry ban on Mexicans AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME WITH THE ADVICE OF THE WHO. We do not rule out that such a move could be introduced in the near future. BUT WE HAVE TO THINK THROUGH ALL THE IMPACTS and whether this is consistent with the WHO's advice on travelling".

Implications/Analysis/Comments/Remarks: York Chow made this statement but Chow is working under the MAINLAND-LOVING DONALD TSANG so we have to wonder if Tsang will ask Chow to change this statement.

According to Democratic Party chairman Albert Ho, "If ALL MEXICANS are to be quarantined for seven days upon arrival (then) it would be better to tell them not to come at all".

Implications/Analysis/Comments/Remarks: This is true

According to Director of Health Lam Ping-yan, "The WHO has said (that) TRANSMISSION CANNOT BE STOPPED SIMPLY BY STOPPING THE FLOW OF PASSENGERS".

Implications/Analysis/Comments/Remarks: On the surface it appears as if Lam is attacking Ho's statement but if we look at his statement in more detail as well as Chow's statement about imposing a travel ban on Mexicans, Lam is attacking Chow as well because Chow is advocating the travel ban. Mr. Chief Executive, if some of your advisors are against your policies in addition to the Democrats whom you despise so much (and Dr. Lam certainly seems to be speaking in dissent here) and his objections are reasonable, you'd better reword/rethink them.

According to medical sector lawmaker Leung Ka-lau, who is also a Democrat, "I don't see why other people comig from Mexico should be treated differently than the students who just returned".

Implications/Analysis/Comments/Remarks: This is another very valid point that Donald Tsang must heed if he is to stop his popularity/credibility from sinking further.

Meanwhile "4 university students cut short their exchange program (in MEXICO) and returned to Hong Kong on May 1. They have been asked to stay at home for a week".