NEWS
HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL LITERARY FESTIVAL PUSHES AHEAD ONLINE Marking its 20th edition this year, the Hong Kong International Literary Festival (HKILF) is taking on a hybrid format. Combining virtual and live events, the festival allows patrons to enjoy the festival no matter the coronavirus situation in November. From November 5 to 15, HKILF will be hosting panels, discussions and
readings, bringing together established and emerging writers and discovering new voices and perspectives.“Going virtual has allowed us to bring a wider range of high-profile authors to the festival than ever before,” the festival’s executive director Catherine Platt said. festival.org.hk
LEPTOSPIROSIS CASES ON THE RISE Spread in running water, leptospirosis is a bacterial disease spread by rat urine that is washed into freshwater sources like puddles, streams and waterways during downpours. Dogs can become infected and develop leptospirosis if their gums (or skin with any cuts) come into contact with infected urine, urine-contaminated soil or water, leading to acute renal failure, liver disease and possible death. “As well as possible detergents, rat poisons and other chemicals discarded by humans, a host of disease organisms left by other animals walking by could be ingested by your dog,” said Dr Pauline Taylor, a veterinarian at Pets Central. To prevent your dog from contracting leptospirosis, the easiest thing to do is to never allow them to play or drink from freshwater.
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ENHALE MEDITATION STUDIO CLOSES ITS DOORS After months of Covid-19 and on-and-off social distancing restrictions, Enhale Meditation Studio closed its doors on August 28. Following a brief period of reopening, gyms and fitness centres in Hong Kong have been closed since mid-July due to a third-wave outbreak of the Covid-19. Many studios including Enhale have pivoted to offering online classes since the forced closure, but some are finding it difficult to engage with their clients online the same way. “Covid-19 has made it challenging to gather and we’ve had to make the difficult decision to close our doors. We poured our hearts into providing a safe space but cannot continue to operate at this time,” a statement on the studio’s Instagram said.
