Hong Kong Hedge Fund Manager Apologizes for Coronavirus Parody Gaffe
The chief investment officer issued the apology after the viral video intending to educate others about fake news backfired and led to public outcry for irresponsible behavior.
The video shows Solitude Capital Management’s Joel Werner licking his fingers and wiping them on a subway handrail in Hong Kong. After the video was shared and went viral, online viewers condemned Werner for what they perceived as irresponsible behavior.
In addition to an issued apology, Werner clarified in an «SCMP» report that he did not actually lick his fingers and confirmed in a second video that he had disinfected his hand and the handrail afterward to demonstrate that his intentions were not malicious.
«Embarrassed»
Werner noted that he had contacted authorities at the local subway MTR and the police to explain the video and personally apologize for any distress caused. The numerous apologies he has made aside, Werner said he felt embarrassed by the misunderstanding.
«I manage other people’s money. How embarrassing is this?» Werner said. «I spend all my time evaluating information, trying to understand what is real and what is correct and what is not. And maybe it was an overreaction to getting something that was clearly false, [but] I did it.»
While an MTR spokesperson stood by their statement to condemn disregard for public hygiene even after reportedly viewing the videos, Werner said that local police responded in lackadaisical fashion by saying they «could not care less».
