CE's Thank You Video To Medics Draws Mixed Response

A new video of Chief Executive Carrie Lam and her cabinet applauding Hong Kong’s healthcare workers at the forefront of the fight against Covid-19 drew a backlash on Tuesday, with thousands of viewers leaving ‘angry’ emojis to register their disapproval.

“Today is World Health Day. We pay tribute to all our healthcare workers,” Lam said in a 30-second video posted on her Facebook page, before leading her principal officials in a round of applause.

One video had officials clapping in small groups of four or fewer, but a later video uploaded to Exco Convenor Bernard Chan’s account had all 16 non-official members of the Executive Council applauding together.

While many did leave a ‘like’, they were outnumbered by the those who clicked on the ‘angry’ emoji as of Tuesday afternoon.

The comments people left were just as mixed. One thanked the Chief Executive and her team for their hard work, while another beseeched Hongkongers to help fight the epidemic by staying at home.

Another commenter was incredulous however, demanding Lam go and thank healthcare workers in person if she really cared about their well-being.

Other messages asked why Lam and her administration didn’t show their appreciation in February – when thousands of public hospital workers went on an unprecedented, and ultimately unsuccessful strike to try to pressure the government to close the city's border with the mainland in order to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

There have been similar expressions of support for doctors and nurses all over the world, even before World Health Day.

Hongkongers had joined in last Friday, with a "Clap for Hong Kong" event that was publicised on the government's own social media platforms.