On January 23, 2020, the first case of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) was confirmed in Hong Kong. Two years have passed as we witness the virus disrupting countless industries and separating families, while new variants of the pandemic continued to emerge. From alpha to omicron, what do the new variants mean for the direction of the pandemic? With the rollout of booster shots, new vaccines, and new Covid-19 treatments and drugs, how are they helping to curb the virus? Is there a need to re-evaluate our quarantine rules? How long will this global pandemic last?

The Asia Society Hong Kong Center brings you regular updates on the coronavirus story in Hong Kong that has reverberations elsewhere in the world. We are pleased to present on-the-ground public health experts and internationally renowned specialists with the latest facts and evidence-based findings regarding this epidemic outbreak. In this past two years, we have featured over 30 episodes and welcomed over 195, 367 online views for this ground breaking series. We commemorate the second anniversary of our ongoing coronavirus update series by hosting Professor Benjamin Cowling, Head of the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Hong Kong's School of Public Health. ASHK inaugurated the series with Professor Cowling in February 2020 and invited him back again in February 2021 as Covid-19 hit one year mark. In this discussion, we will hear his thoughts on the past, present, and future of Covid-19. S. Alice Mong, Executive Director of Asia Society Hong Kong Center will moderate the discussion.