Two jailed after posting 'political' anti-vax notes

Two young women who formerly operated a pro-democracy beverage shop in Mong Kok were yesterday jailed for six and seven months after posting multiple anti-vaccination messages on social media.

During sentencing, principal West Kowloon magistrate Peter Law Tak-chuen blasted the two for using social media as an outlet for their "hatred," comparing their behavior to the act of "setting multiple fires."

He went on to say their messages added unnecessary pressure to the already overburdened anti-epidemic work.

Hau Wing-yan, 25, and Lam Yuen-yi, 21, had each pleaded guilty to one count of committing an act or acts with seditious intent after posting nine anti-vaccination messages on Facebook and Instagram between February 9 and 24.

At the time the messages were posted, the duo were operating the Ascohesion Cheese Tea beverage shop in Mong Kok's Argyle Centre. The posts called on the public to boycott the LeaveHomeSafe app, avoid taking Covid-19 tests and visit Maxim's Caterers establishments - a company widely perceived as being pro-government - if they contract the virus.

During the time these messages were posted, Law said, the city was already in a state of panic due to the worsening Covid outbreaks.

He added the vaccine's effectiveness was also being criticized and its adverse effects widely discussed, thus creating a "golden period" for "inciters." Law also referred to Hau and Lam's anti-vaccination messages as "political," citing one post in particular that called on students to exaggerate the adverse effects of the jab to their parents as an "aggravating factor."

Prior to sentencing Hau to a seven-month prison term, Law condemned her for writing the posts at an "extremely dangerous time" and acting as the leader when committing the crime.

As for Lam, Law said she didn't try to stop the dissemination of the messages, noting this makes her no different from Hau, before sentencing her to a six-month term.

In mitigation, the defense said Hau's mother fell sick after receiving the jab, prompting Hau to doubt the vaccination campaign and anti-epidemic measures in general.

However, Law dismissed this, saying "everyone knows vaccines have a scientific basis" and criticized the two for "causing confusion."