(Ah Gong -- grandfather in Hokkien, used to call an old man.)

coronavirus and slipping economies

they tell us trade saves the economy.
this will boost our aggregate 
demand! we shall work towards building 
infrastructure to attract the foreigners.

all just a facade to paint pretty pictures with pencil-like skyscrapers, masking the streets where people beg. 

case in point: the shutters of a 
mama shop collect dust. old 
Ah Gong gulps down the watery soup paid by yesterday's sweat and tears, sweeping the entrance while the officers come around to check. 

across him stands the mall in full, sneering glory. the labels 
laughing in dizzy, dazzling light, and sighing is the only way he replies.

and he sweeps.

the officers frown at the dusty stairs and leave after telling him to 
pull up his mask.

Ah Gong nods.

Ah Gong sweeps.

a volley of shoppers scatter and hurry out before his tired eyes, and he watches them struggle with mound after mound of wax-coated 
red, yellow, green brand-stamped bags. the only wish that he has is that his pineapple tarts should 
survive in the dirty shelves behind the shutters, but
miracles don't happen.

Ah Gong shakes his head.
Ah Gong sweeps. 
sweeps away his only fortunes.

they tell us trade saves the economy. 
and the economy saves people.

economies save people?

trade saves the economy,
but the economy only saves the rich.