>> recycle/off ;<--- to make sure it is not GC related issue
>> <a>
== <a> ;<--- correct result so far
>> load "22-Feb-2019" ;<--- this seems to make a problem
== 22-Feb-2019
>> <a>
== <> ;<================= WHY THIS?
>> b: 1 ;<----------------- this makes it normal again
== 1
>> <a>
== <a> ;<--- correct result again