Here We Go Again - the clouds gather!

"Carrie Lam has again failed to carry public opinion with her."

Our chief executive has decided to re-impose sweeping restrictions in response to the Omicron variant. These measures come two days after she denied rumours of action as 'fake news’—another own goal!

I agree we need a response to the emerging clusters; yet, Carrie Lam has again failed to carry public opinion with her. Quite clearly, folks will hardly trust someone who contradicts themselves within days.

That officials broke the guidance on Covid gatherings doesn't help matters. Lam went full head-girl on Cathay Pacific when their staff were caught breaching the rules, which places her in a bind. A few severe spankings are in order.

Perhaps she should take her lead from Mainland authorities, who have no hesitation in holding officials to account for their failings. Maybe we could focus the attention of our wayward officials by applying similar provisions. I'm sure a stint in Penny's Bay will prove efficacious.

Plus, we need to know what is the long-term plan. Any mention of that is notably absent from Lam's press conferences. If she doesn't see the end-game — which I suspect is the case — then have the decency to say that.

Because as other developed economies start moving toward a post-pandemic world, our adherence to zero-cases is looking impossible to sustain. When will the penny drop? 

Obviously, concern over hospital ICU beds is a major factor in deciding to act as the city nears its capacity to handle Covid cases. With more than 340 people in isolation, the authorities are scrambling to create extra beds. Significantly the vast majority of those isolated are returning travellers. 

So let's give credit to the public's remarkable stoicism over the past year by going along with government directives without much complaint. That cooperation kept local transmissions down. But, their patience is not inexhaustible.

Meanwhile, as the restrictions arrive, ordinary citizens are asking several questions. Why, for example, is in-restaurant dining stopped at 6 pm? Is the virus more active at night? After all, the recent outbreak is traced to a lunchtime event. 

As others have pointed out, Hong Kongers rarely cook at home during the week; thus, this provision means people will line up for take-aways. Does that add to the transmission risk? 

Also, why are gyms and swimming pools closed when there is no evidence of transmission at these venues in months? 

The so-called experts are not helping confidence that we need these measures by contradicting each other on the nightly news. It is difficult not to conclude a few are grandstanding and enjoying their moment of fame. At times they appear to be competing for air-time. 

While standing around in restaurants tracing the airflow to pontificate on how the virus may have spread looks credible, it is hardly scientific. I was always told you need to simulate the actual conditions. Thus testing airflow with the doors sealed and no people present hardly seems realistic. 

On the PR front, Carrie Lam continues without a principal spokesperson. This approach is out of kilter with most leaders who rely on a professional. Hence we are treated to important messages from Lam in her usual uncompelling style with the trademark lack of empathy. 

In the same way, her hubris was evident in last year's policy address. In a statement dripping with unacknowledged irony, she stated, "There are issues I can't avoid in the policy address." Except she managed to ignore them for the last four years. 

Her new big idea is to reorganise a couple of departments and create a culture bureau. But, of course, this will take time and energy, although giving the impression of action. While in truth, the wheels are spinning without any forward motion. It is a clever distraction if you are bereft of ideas.

Even the Mainland authorities appear less than impressed. They have grown impatient for Hong Kong to engage with rapid developments in the Greater Bay Area. So while this vapid talk of re-structuring looks like progress, the housing crisis continues. To signal their concern, Chinese officials visited the cage-like homes of the underprivileged. 

At the heart of the matter are not structural issues; instead, a lack of courage hampers progress on significant issues. No amount of re-structuring will address that if senior civil servants remain timid, disengaged and awaiting instructions. 

In fairness to Lam, she is an administrator through and through, without much originality of thought. As I before pointed out, "Her administrative officer hinterland traps her. One flaw of the British colonial civil service training is that it created senior officials unmarked by doubt. They know best. Add to that a taint of Catholic infallibility, and you have a potent mix." 

Lam has a track record of over-confidence and under-delivery. Who remembers how she cleared up the problem of illegal structures in the NT, having given a solemn undertaking to tackle the issue? Don't you? That is because she didn't. 

In 2007, Lam wrote to the Heung Yee Kuk, reassuring them that villagers suspected of illegally transferring their ding rights would not face charges. I was always under the impression that the Department of Justice decided on prosecutions. Silly me.

Then, in 2015, she refused to hold anyone to account for the contaminated water scandal. That was despite evidence pointing to lax civil servants. Compare that to Beijing's robust response to failings by civil servants. So I'm still surprised she survived the 2019 troubles, although much of that was down to the Police Force, who held the line while she wobbled.

Lam may get a footnote in history as a competent administrator. But, with the CE election due on 27 March 2022, many of us asking, surely we can do better? 

​The best I can do is leave you with a bit of Dolly Parton.