The Covid-19 virus has swept across the world with no end in sight. Because of uncertainties over testing in some countries, the full impact of the virus is uncertain, however it is widely estimated that there are now more than half a million cases worldwide, causing more than 24,000 deaths. Many countries have declared a state of emergency or imposed lockdowns. Governments have poured money into relief packages to save businesses and markets, and to help laid off workers. This week, The Pulse reports from New York City, London, and one of the worst-affected areas in Northern Italy: Lombardy.

Much of the world has come to a standstill as the coronavirus pandemic has spread. Many countries have imposed states of emergency and nationwide lockdowns. Most recently, Europe and the United States have been hit particularly hard. Some heads of state have described COVID-19 as the world’s greatest challenge since World War Two. Hong Kong has been facing not only that challenge, but other social challenges in the past year. In a group exhibition at Karin Weber Gallery, five local artists are reflecting on the role of art in troubled times and whether it has the power to encourage positivity and change. Mexican artist Bosco Sodi makes sculptures and paintings using raw pigments and sawdust to create geological textures and portray landscapes and nature. Sodi came to Hong Kong last December and stayed for two weeks to create new works. Until the end of March, the Axel Vervoordt Gallery is presenting his first solo exhibition in Hong Kong, and it’s one that showcases the city’s influence on his work. Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki, who died on Sunday at the age of 86, was hailed as one of the greatest composers of our time. He also had connections with Hong Kong, having been awarded an honorary fellowship by the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and appointed as the University of Hong Kong’s 2015 Rayson Huang Fellow. He was here in Hong Kong in 2015 for a lecture-recital at the university, and to conduct his Violin Concerto No. 2 with the Hong Kong Sinfonietta. While he was here, The Works spoke to him.

After white-clad people attacked citizens on July 21, some netizens launched an investigation against rural gangsters, including a probe into suspects in the attack allegedly involved in the selling of rights to build small houses.

Dressing comes first when talking about the four basic necessities of life – Dressing, Eating, Living and Commuting. It goes without saying that clothes are crucial for our daily lives. How can we develop a good dress sense? Tailor Siu Lan, who is in her seventies, holds steadfast in her quest for the quality of fabrics, as well as the handwork and design of clothes. She also upholds her belief in pursuing a dressing style which is simple, suitable and comfortable for herself. Meanwhile, boutique owner Sam, fashion designers Toby and Kay pursue the principle of sustainable fashion. By upcycling old clothes, a new value is bestowed upon the garments while beautiful memories are retained. One gives others the most superficial impressions of himself / herself through clothes. Clothes are the most intimate connection that links up a person with his / her past emotions. In order to let the elderly have warm and decent clothes to wear, a group of volunteers from social enterprises often goes to Community Support Centres for the Elderly to help the elderly make and amend clothes, hoping that the elderly will regain confidence. In the meantime, several fashion design students make efforts to design for elderly with impaired mobility a collection of functional clothes, addressing their different needs through responsive care from the inside out. Dress sense can be cultivated over time, but one has to learn how to cherish and love to understand the true beauty of dressing.

For many people, the number “9” means forever and ever. The average life expectancy of Hong Kong people ranks amongst the top in the world. Yet, nobody can foresee how long himself / herself can live. After all, what do people still need when they are in their nineties? MAK Wai-sheung (Grandpa MAK) had just turned 90 in October 2018. Born in a rural village, Grandpa MAK spent his childhood there. He had received primary education only. After that, he had experienced the anti-Japanese war and the liberation of China, and then arrived in Guangzhou. Until he was in his twenties, Grandpa MAK came to Hong Kong on his own to seek a livelihood. He had worked as a casual worker in construction sites, waiter in a Chinese style tea restaurant, hawker, etc. It took him a lot of efforts to finally have a stable life, and then he got married in Guangzhou. Soon after that, he even applied to send his wife and his eldest son to Hong Kong for reunion. Grandpa MAK has worked as a hawker at Tung Choi Street for decades. He had been working hard for his children’s schooling, and to provide his family with a stable home. He retired before 60 and followed his children and grandchildren to migrate to New Zealand. However, he chose to return to Hong Kong for living as he could not adapt to the life in the foreign country. The second half of Grandpa MAK’s life is far longer than lots of people. It seems that he does not have much planning, but instead has his own thoughts. He believes that one should go with the flow in life. When the environment changes, one has to change too. YEUNG Sau-wan (Grandma Sau-wan), who is also 90 years old, came to Hong Kong at 7 with her relatives from her hometown to reunite with her father. She had started following his father to work and helped replace gas lamps when she was not even 10. The early-married Grandma Sau-wan gave birth to seven children after tying the knot, and has since then devoted herself to taking care of her family. With primary education only, Grandma Sau-wan had worked hard for half a lifetime, and her life was all about her husband and children. She had never had time to fight for herself. About ten years ago, Grandma Sau-wan suffered from intestinal cancer. Fortunately, the disease did not recur after surgery, but since then her health has been much worse than before. After discussing with her family, Grandma Sau-wan began living in an elderly home in 2004 so that she could be conveniently taken care of. The numerous hardships she encountered in the first half of life made the optimistic Grandma Sau-wan learn how to enjoy the happy bits in life. She started learning to draw at leisure, and it turned out that she found her own talent and held her small art exhibition at the age of 90. “Do not be stubborn about things, but be able to let go” – perhaps, this is the attitude towards life that these two 90-year-old elderlies are currently adopting.

Crime Alert –Vocational training scam

Chapter 4 The 100-grand-indulgence The eldest daughter in the Lai family, Elisabeth, suddenly comes home after running away from home three years ago. In the past three years, she worked as a part-time girlfriend (PTGF) for a living. One of Elisabeth’s friend is also a PTGF. Because of a misunderstanding, Elisabeth results in her friend being raped by a regular client. To redeem their friendship, Elisabeth chooses to sell her first night, but Maria interferes by pretending to be a client, will Elisabeth's life get back on track?

In 2016, the three stages of reduction of the Frontier Closed Area (FCA) were completed. At the west of Northern New Territories, the former closed area of Ta Kwu Ling, where indigenous residents live, is now open. This opening and the large-scale construction at Liantang Boundary Control Point are gradually changing the area’s features. Interestingly, although Lin Ma Hang Village, situated at the northernmost of Hong Kong, is no longer part of the FCA, the only carriage way leading to the Village still is. Without a Closed Road Permit, you have to walk to the village outside FCA’s wire mesh. It poses inconvenience to residents and visitors, but also slows down the pace of development. As a resident of Lin Ma Hang Village, YIP Yuk-kwan left to work in Germany when he was young, and came back to the Village more than two decades ago. He will tell us about Lin Ma Hang’s history, in addition to visiting Lin Ma Hang Lead Mines, Bridge to the World, and MacIntosh Fort, which all have associations with Lin Ma Hang and FCA. If you head east from Northern New Territories to Sha Tau Kok, some places there still falls within the FCA. There you can find the northernmost island in the territory, Ap Chau, which is only one kilometre apart from Shenzhen’s Yantian port. Ferries provide the main transportation between Ap Chau and Sha Tau Kok. With the size of only four football pitches, it is currently the home of merely three people. Even though many villagers of Ap Chau moved to the United Kingdom for jobs in the 1960’s, 89-year-old village chief, CHAN Yuen-on, has stayed and guarded the place for religious reasons all along. He even prays and reads religious texts with the villagers every day in the church. Another villager is CHAN’s daughter, Sister Kiu. Now at the age of 70, she only came back two years ago after her mother passed away to take care of her singleton father. Having dwelled in Newcastle, United Kingdom for half a century, returning to live on Ap Chau is indeed not easy for her. Yet, her father’s awe-inspiring dedication to safeguarding the island proves to be a spiritual anchor for herself as well as other villagers.

Nias and his impossible dream

Kaka (played by Sofiee NG) used to suffer from depression. Fearing that she would be labelled, she has always avoided telling people about her history with mood disorder, and has relied on daily cycling to keep herself positive. With the challenges of a new job and the emergence of an admirer who happens to be her male colleague Chun (played by Kaki SHAM), she feels uncertain and struggles deep down in her heart. Later, Kaka volunteers at a self-help organisation of persons with mood disorder, and meets some volunteers who are strong believers of mood disorder patients helping themselves, and brave enough to acknowledge and accept their identity as former mood disorder patients. They include the chairman of the organisation Jacky (played by Ben YUEN), and volunteer Ah Wai who is pursuing a doctoral degree in psychology (played by Kenneth CHEUNG). After spending time and interacting with them, Kaka’s thinking changes gradually… Casts: Sofiee NG, Kaki SHAM, Ben YUEN, Kenneth CHEUNG, Buber MAK, HUI So-Ying Screenplay: Harriet CHUNG, Manfred CHOW Director: Manfred CHOW