From Chief Executive Carrie Lam not knowing how to use an Octopus card to pro-Beijing lawmaker Junius Ho accusing a belly-scratching foreigner at a demonstration of “commanding” protesters, Hong Kong can always count on the city’s political figures to deliver a good gaffe.
Health Secretary Sophia Chan did exactly that Tuesday as she announced a new round of COVID-19 restrictions amid a renewed outbreak.
As Chan led the hour-and-a-half-long news conference, eagle-eyed reporters in the audience spotted something that didn’t quite look right: Chan’s mask was worn inside out.
Close up pictures of Chan showed the words on her mask, “CAM” (the brand) and “Made in Hong Kong” reversed, and the ear loops sewed to the outside rather than inside of her mask.
The irony of the city’s top health official calling for vigilance against the worrying virus spread while wearing a mask inside out was not lost on reporters, who raised the slip to Chan.
“A lot of people are concerned, is your mask inside out?” One reporter asked during a question and answer session as the audience tittered.
Immediately, Chan touched the underside of her mask and seemed to realize that she had indeed been called out. Sitting next to her, the city’s Director of Health, Constance Chan, shot her a look.
After a painfully awkward 14-second pause and some unnecessary microphone fiddling, Chan answered the reporter’s first question about a government order restricting the movement of people awaiting COVID-19 test results, but did not acknowledge the second enquiry.
At the end of the press conference, reporters pressed Chan. “Are you worried that you wearing your mask wrong will affect the audience?”
Chan briskly packed her papers and was the first to walk out of the room, ignoring the questions and avoiding eye contact.
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