There has been no destruction of way of life.

Noone (bar a small number of activists) have been locked up for saying the wrong thing. Facebook and Twitter have not been banned. People are still moaning about the government (as they should given their incompetence), publicly and loudly. How has the way of life for HK-ers changed? Yes, you're not allowed to boo the Chinese flag during sports matches any more... Is that really a freedom that matters for the vast majority of the population?

If you have no idea what's going on, maybe it's best not to comment? Hong Kong is not Xinjiang.