Months-long protests that once crowded Hong Kong's streets on a weekly, and at times even daily, basis have almost completely halted since the outbreak of the new pneumonia-causing coronavirus last month.

But public discontent with the city's leadership has only widened, a public opinion poll revealed Tuesday, sending the government's popularity rating to its lowest level since records began in 1997, the year the city was returned to Chinese rule.

While many citizens have prioritized public health by avoiding mass gatherings and public spaces, effectively putting a stop to demonstrations, anger over the government's handling of the outbreak has escalated.

"Anti-government sentiment is still here. Now people are criticizing the government about the virus and how they've been useless in guaranteeing the welfare of its people," Rachel, a 25-year-old office worker, said via telephone from Hong Kong, giving only her first name.

Both satisfaction and trust in the government, at 9 percent and 14 percent, respectively, have worsened dramatically compared to the prior month, according to the survey conducted mid-February by the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute.

(Protesters threw petrol bombs to at an empty public housing complex which is proposed Hong Kong virus quarantine building during the protest in Fanling, district of Hong Kong, Jan. 26, 2020.)
[NurPhoto/Getty/Kyodo]

The special administrative region reported its first infection of the pneumonia-causing virus on Jan. 22 after a Chinese man from central China's Wuhan city was intercepted by port health authorities after arriving in the city via train.

Three days later, Carrie Lam, the city's embattled top leader, declared a virus emergency, halting all flights and high-speed train journeys between Hong Kong and worst-hit Wuhan, where the virus was first reported. Eventually, all rail and ferry routes between the city and mainland were suspended, while cross-border flights were cut by half.

But Lam's refusal to completely cut off traffic with the mainland sparked criticism among the public and prompted thousands of medical workers to stage a five-day strike in early February.

Lam's popularity fell 6 percentage points from two weeks prior to 18.2 percent, her worst rating yet.

"The virus woke up some people who were not involved in the last eight months of protests but are now complaining about the government over how they are failing to prevent the spread of the disease," said Vicky Ho, an employee of a public relations firm who had taken part in about a dozen protests since June.

(A Man wearing a mask is seen walking pass residential housing building on Feb. 27, 2020 in Hong Kong.)
[NurPhoto/Getty/Kyodo]

The city of 7.3 million has confirmed nearly 100 infections and two deaths so far.

Months of unrest caused by the government's failed attempt to legislate a bill last year to facilitate extraditions to mainland China had already taken a toll on the economy as well as public satisfaction in the government.

As for the pro-democracy movement, ongoing online petitions seeking accountability by the Hong Kong police as well as freedom and democracy for the city continue to gain signatures while smaller online movements were also started to attack pro-Beijing YouTube channels, explained Michelle Wong, a law student in her mid-20s.

But for now, the people's primary focus remains on the virus, according to Rachel, who said, "All you hear on the streets is 'Where do we get masks?' and 'How much are masks?'"

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