'Filipino Musicians Drive Hong Kong’s Music Scene, but Gigs Have Dried Up' diff viewer (13/14)

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Filipino Musicians Drive Hong Kong’s Music Scene, but Gigs Have Dried Up	Filipino Musicians Drive Hong Kong’s Music Scene, but Gigs Have Dried Up
2020-06-24 12:56:54 UTC	2020-06-24 14:06:32 UTC (about 1 hour later)
HONG KONG — The lively melodies were resounding off wood, glass and marble as the pianist performed jazz standards at a swanky hotel lobby.	HONG KONG — The lively melodies were resounding off wood, glass and marble as the pianist performed jazz standards at a swanky hotel lobby.
But there was no audience to hear Jezrael Lucero play. Even the drummer and bass player in his trio had been forced to take the night off as a cost-cutting measure.	But there was no audience to hear Jezrael Lucero play. Even the drummer and bass player in his trio had been forced to take the night off as a cost-cutting measure.
“I’m lucky to still have this gig,” said Mr. Lucero, 35, a keyboardist from the Philippines who plays six nights a week at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, a hotel usually popular with international business travelers but now struggling to fill rooms in the face of a pandemic. “But I’m also aware of the fact that this thing might go down, too.”	“I’m lucky to still have this gig,” said Mr. Lucero, 35, a keyboardist from the Philippines who plays six nights a week at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, a hotel usually popular with international business travelers but now struggling to fill rooms in the face of a pandemic. “But I’m also aware of the fact that this thing might go down, too.”
Hong Kong’s live music scene, already muffled by months of antigovernment protests last year, was all but silenced this winter by the coronavirus outbreak. Some infections here were linked to what the government called a “bar and band” cluster in nightclubs.	Hong Kong’s live music scene, already muffled by months of antigovernment protests last year, was all but silenced this winter by the coronavirus outbreak. Some infections here were linked to what the government called a “bar and band” cluster in nightclubs.
Local transmissions of the virus in Hong Kong have since tapered off significantly, but the widespread closures of music venues — particularly bars — were in place through Thursday. Bars were allowed to reopen Friday but cannot host live music.	Local transmissions of the virus in Hong Kong have since tapered off significantly, but the widespread closures of music venues — particularly bars — were in place through Thursday. Bars were allowed to reopen Friday but cannot host live music.
And many of the Filipinos who power the financial hub’s live music scene — singers, guitarists, pianists, drummers and bassists — have been unemployed for months.	And many of the Filipinos who power the financial hub’s live music scene — singers, guitarists, pianists, drummers and bassists — have been unemployed for months.
“It all started with the protests, and then we got the virus and the pandemic, so we’re talking about nearly a year of disaster,” said Manuela D. Lo, the chairwoman of the Hong Kong Musicians Union, a 70-year-old trade association whose members are primarily from the Philippines.	“It all started with the protests, and then we got the virus and the pandemic, so we’re talking about nearly a year of disaster,” said Manuela D. Lo, the chairwoman of the Hong Kong Musicians Union, a 70-year-old trade association whose members are primarily from the Philippines.
The crisis has exposed how the music scene here, which caters in large part to expatriates on corporate salaries, was built on the labor of economic migrants.	The crisis has exposed how the music scene here, which caters in large part to expatriates on corporate salaries, was built on the labor of economic migrants.
“It’s rendering their livelihoods almost impossible now,” said Anjeline de Dios, a professor of cultural studies at Lingnan University in Hong Kong who studies overseas Filipino musicians. “And it’s only at this moment that we’re realizing how much we need them.”	“It’s rendering their livelihoods almost impossible now,” said Anjeline de Dios, a professor of cultural studies at Lingnan University in Hong Kong who studies overseas Filipino musicians. “And it’s only at this moment that we’re realizing how much we need them.”
Entertainers from the Philippines have been performing across Asia for decades, and are known for playing Western pop music, a legacy of both the American occupation of the archipelago from 1898 to 1946 and the global reach of record players.	Entertainers from the Philippines have been performing across Asia for decades, and are known for playing Western pop music, a legacy of both the American occupation of the archipelago from 1898 to 1946 and the global reach of record players.
Before World War II, Filipino musicians entertained in Shanghai nightclubs, said Lee Watkins, an ethnomusicologist at Rhodes University in South Africa who has studied the intersection of music and labor migration.	Before World War II, Filipino musicians entertained in Shanghai nightclubs, said Lee Watkins, an ethnomusicologist at Rhodes University in South Africa who has studied the intersection of music and labor migration.
After the war, some of those musicians went to Hong Kong, where they would play in big bands and on scores for Cantonese-language films.	After the war, some of those musicians went to Hong Kong, where they would play in big bands and on scores for Cantonese-language films.
Raly Tejada, the Philippine consul general in Hong Kong, said that Filipino musicians had been an integral part of the city’s “cultural fabric” since the 1940s.	Raly Tejada, the Philippine consul general in Hong Kong, said that Filipino musicians had been an integral part of the city’s “cultural fabric” since the 1940s.
A hallmark of the Filipino cover bands playing today at bars and clubs throughout Hong Kong is their astonishingly wide repertoires, spanning rock, reggae, R&B and much else.	A hallmark of the Filipino cover bands playing today at bars and clubs throughout Hong Kong is their astonishingly wide repertoires, spanning rock, reggae, R&B and much else.
A case in point is Icebox, the main house band at Amazonia, one of the neon-lit bars in Hong Kong’s Wan Chai district. When the band plays, it might cover everything from Frank Sinatra to Iron Maiden.	A case in point is Icebox, the main house band at Amazonia, one of the neon-lit bars in Hong Kong’s Wan Chai district. When the band plays, it might cover everything from Frank Sinatra to Iron Maiden.
“Everything’s there, and it’s cool,” said its frontman, Spike Cazcarro, 52, explaining how the band got its name when it formed in 1999. He said he had grown up in the Philippines listening to the Beatles, the Bee Gees, AC/DC, Bruce Springsteen and other Western artists on his record players.	“Everything’s there, and it’s cool,” said its frontman, Spike Cazcarro, 52, explaining how the band got its name when it formed in 1999. He said he had grown up in the Philippines listening to the Beatles, the Bee Gees, AC/DC, Bruce Springsteen and other Western artists on his record players.
Filipino bands, which hone their technical skills by performing night after night, have been helping Hong Kong’s homegrown musicians “raise their game” for decades, said John Prymmer, the managing director of the Wanch, a Wan Chai music bar.	Filipino bands, which hone their technical skills by performing night after night, have been helping Hong Kong’s homegrown musicians “raise their game” for decades, said John Prymmer, the managing director of the Wanch, a Wan Chai music bar.
For all their talents, however, Filipino musicians often market themselves as cheaper alternatives to Western counterparts.	For all their talents, however, Filipino musicians often market themselves as cheaper alternatives to Western counterparts.
A good drummer, for example, can typically earn $650 for a wedding or corporate function. But Paul Sapiera, a veteran multi-instrumentalist in Hong Kong, said that many Filipino drummers would accept the job for half as much.	A good drummer, for example, can typically earn $650 for a wedding or corporate function. But Paul Sapiera, a veteran multi-instrumentalist in Hong Kong, said that many Filipino drummers would accept the job for half as much.
~~Updated June ~~22,~~ 2020~~	Updated June 24, 2020
	Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.	A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.	The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.	The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.	So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.	Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.	A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.	The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.	Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)	If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.	If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
“Sad to say, but that’s true,” said Mr. Sapiera, 49, a Filipino who has lived in the city for 16 years.	“Sad to say, but that’s true,” said Mr. Sapiera, 49, a Filipino who has lived in the city for 16 years.
Now, as the pandemic pinches musicians everywhere, migrant Filipinos are bearing a hefty share of the economic pain.	Now, as the pandemic pinches musicians everywhere, migrant Filipinos are bearing a hefty share of the economic pain.
One of Mr. Sapiera’s Filipino bandmates, Charles Tidal, said that he typically sends about $1,300, or between 30 and 40 percent of his earnings, back to the Philippines each month to support his five children.	One of Mr. Sapiera’s Filipino bandmates, Charles Tidal, said that he typically sends about $1,300, or between 30 and 40 percent of his earnings, back to the Philippines each month to support his five children.
But those payments stopped when his gigs dried up in February, said Mr. Tidal, 39. He is now months behind on his bills, and a new part-time job as a clerk isn’t making up the difference.	But those payments stopped when his gigs dried up in February, said Mr. Tidal, 39. He is now months behind on his bills, and a new part-time job as a clerk isn’t making up the difference.
“It’s hard,” Mr. Tidal said. “I owe money to lots of people right now to survive and feed my kids.”	“It’s hard,” Mr. Tidal said. “I owe money to lots of people right now to survive and feed my kids.”