It is now official. The Hong Kong government has imposed a 1922 British colonial law called the “Emergency Regulations Ordinance.” This law gives the current Chief Executive the powers of a dictator and the rule of law is decided by her.

Right now the only law, done by this Ordinance is prohibiting face masks at certain public gatherings. We have seen a “public gathering” can be as small as one person and thus be arrested. We also have seen police threaten people just for standing at a bus stop.

Future talk is adding a curfew as well as banning the internet and social media. There have also been sighting of PLA troops moving around the city. This movement is unusual because the PLA usually moves at night or not at all.

St. Thomas once said that fear “is a weak foundation; for those who are subdued by fear would, should an occasion arise in which they might hope for immunity, rise more eagerly against their rulers, in proportion to the previous extent of their restraint through fear.”

The situation in Hong Kong is bound to get worse before it even starts to get better. If only those, on both sides, would pray.