Of course many are leaving

We all have many friends and relatives who have left Hong Kong, or are leaving.  So many students and teachers have left that school officials are worried, and scrambling to fill those places.  Many positions in universities, businesses, organisations, etc., have become vacant.  These positions are being filled, creating more openings, greatly increasing staff turnover, forcing administrators to take unusual action to retain productive staff.  Many administrators are worried that some people may be promoted to positions which they cannot really handle, so great is the need created when so many  experienced professional are leaving.  

Some pro-establishment types scoff at those who emigrate to foreign countries to become what they consider “second class” citizens.  They claim that these recent emigrants will only be able to find low-pay jobs.  That they will not fit in.  That they will feel alienated and unfulfilled.  And in general, that “the moon is not bigger in foreign countries”.  

It may be true, and it may not.  Many new emigrants are professionals who have studied and lived overseas, who may be able to adapt fairly well.  Some may indeed be less than well-prepared.  But it seems many have friends and and can make new friends quickly. Many are helping each other, there being so many of them in similar situations.  Indeed many are making serious sacrifices, with their eyes open.  Many do it for their children.  

Why do so many make the sacrifice, knowing the hardship they are facing?  People with young children usually are comparably conservative.   They do not easily leave their comfort zone unless that zone is no longer so comfortable.  The fact that so many vote with their feet, for another country, is serious indication that something is seriously wrong.  Some people can pretend that it is not so, that it is just normal turnover.  Some people may decide to stay for some special reason - a sense of mission or responsibility perhaps.   But there is no hiding from the fact that large numbers of people are suddenly emigrating, that something is seriously wrong.