Michael Chugani 褚简宁 - a death wish.｜又中又英

It seems to me the Hong Kong government has a death wish. Why else does it still insist on a tough coronavirus policy when the rest of the world except mainland China has already moved on? It’s been three years since the pandemic started. Masks, compulsory testing, quarantine, and restrictions on entering places such as bars and restaurants have become a thing of the past globally. Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China are alone in thinking they can get the better of the coronavirus. Taiwan, where I am now visiting, has no restrictions except the wearing of masks. The government plans to gradually ease mask rules starting next month so it can move on like the rest of the world.

A death wish is a desire to die or a feeling of wanting to die. The expression “a thing of the past” means something that no longer happens or exists. To get the better of something or someone means to defeat that person or thing. China believes it can defeat the coronavirus with its zero Covid policy. Hong Kong believes it can get the better of the virus with compulsory wearing of masks, numerous Covid tests for arrivals, quarantine for those who test positive, and restrictions on entering certain places.

Such a policy seems like a death wish to me because it can destroy the economy. I read a media report that said Hong Kong’s bar and restaurant industry has lost hope for the Christmas and New Year holidays because tourists are not coming despite easing of some coronavirus rules. Locals are going abroad for the holidays. The government needs new thinking.
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在我看来，香港政府似乎是一心求死（a death wish）。否则还有甚么原因，令它在全世界，除了中国内地，都已向前走之际，依然坚持严苛的防疫政策？这场世纪大疫症爆发至今已经三年了。口罩、强制检测、隔离，以及限制进入酒吧和食肆，在全球均已成为过去（a thing of the past），独余香港、澳门和中国内地以为它们可以战胜（get the better of）新冠肺炎病毒。我现在到访的台湾，除了要戴口罩以外，已经没有任何限制措施了。政府计划在下个月开始，逐渐放宽戴口罩的规定，好让它能像世界其他地方一样，继续往前行。

A death wish是有求死的心 、感觉想死 、找死。习语「a thing of the past」是指某事物已成过去，不再发生或存在。To get the better of something or someone是指去打败某事或某人。中国相信它可以用清零政策去打败新冠肺炎病毒。香港相信它透过强制戴口罩、抵港旅客的许多核酸检测、隔离检测阳性人士，以及限制进入特定的场所，得以战胜（get the better of）病毒。

但这样的政策，在我看来像找死（a death wish）一样，因为它可以摧毁经济。我读到有传媒报道指，香港的酒吧食肆业，对于圣诞和新年假期，已经失去了希望，因为尽管放宽了某些防疫政策，旅客都不会来港，而本地人更会到外地度假。政府需要新思维。
中译：七刻 
Michael Chugani 褚简宁