• Nicholas in his office.

    COVID-19 Diaries: Perspective Of A Businessman In Singapore, 98 Days In

    Nicholas Chee is a 41-year-old consultant, film executive producer and and film festival co-director who is based in Singapore and Kaohsiung, Taiwan. He told us how the COVID-19 crisis has made him reassess his opinion of his business, and why he might decide to go into retirement earlier than planned because of it. 

    “I always knew that as some point “shit will hit the fan” the way our global economy was heading. But never thought it would take a Coronavirus to actually be the catalyst.”

    Q: Hi Nicholas, thanks for being here! When did you first hear about the COVID-19 / 2019-nCoV coronavirus and what did you think of it then?

    A: Hello Sara, thank you for having me. I first read about the COVID-19 sometime in the 3rd week of January 2020 and I didn’t have a good feeling about it so I even skipped my usual extended family reunion during CNY [Chinese New Year]. Now that we are 1 month into DORSCON [Disease Outbreak Response System Condition] orange, I was hoping for some clarity but with the global spread starting, I think we are heading for even rougher seas ahead till the end of the year.

    How concerned are you now? How many people do you personally know who’ve been afflicted with the coronavirus or who have been served quarantine or leave of absence orders?

    TBH, I am very concerned about it especially so when I haven’t been able to go back to Kaohsiung (where I’ve been based since 2019) for 2 months already. So far I don’t know anyone in my first degree who has been infected or quarantined.

    How many cases are there in Singapore at the moment of this interview? How concerned is Singapore at this point?

    We are currently at 150 infected with 90 recovered according to CNA [Channel NewsAsia]. Well, we are at DORSCON Orange, 1 level below Red but I’m glad we have no deaths so far.

    The stash of 4 masks given to every household in Singapore by the Singapore government.
    The stash of 4 masks given to every household in Singapore by the Singapore government.

    For the benefit of our overseas readers, can you explain how the majority of the confirmed cases in Singapore got infected?

    I believe our “Patient 0” was a tourist from Wuhan, the epicentre of the epidemic. 

    You’re a business owner in Singapore, so how has this coronavirus outbreak impacted your business thus far?

    I run a video production company and it’s been very very challenging with projects being cancelled or postponed indefinitely but my friends in the Event and Live Entertainment sectors have it worse.

    What do you foresee happening to your business and other businesses around Singapore if the outbreak does get worse or persists for more than 6 months?

    TBH, if this situation prolongs and market confidence doesn’t come back—we might have to close shop for good.

    Nicholas in his office.
    Nicholas in his office.

    What are your plans if that were to happen?

    I already have my retirement plans planned out. It was supposed to be 3 years from now when I turn 45—and the plan was to retire in Kaohsiung with a little small farm and live off-grid. It might just happen sooner then. 
    [Interviewer note: Whoa, nice! Do teach us how too.]

    Did you ever expect or plan for a situation like this 2019-2020 novel coronavirus outbreak?

    I always knew that as some point “shit will hit the fan” the way our global economy was heading. But never thought it would take a Coronavirus to actually be the catalyst—was expecting more of a WW3 scenario TBH.

    How will being put on quarantine, Leave Of Absence (LOA), or contracting the virus affect your financial situation?

    This would be a tough one—personally I do have sufficient savings but for the business, it’s a different story altogether.

    Do you think anybody or any organisation—government or private—will be helping you out if the economy continues to tank?

    I believe that our G. has been very quick to react with rescue measures—but how that can last is anybody’s guess.

    Nicholas' COVID-19 preparations.
    Nicholas’ COVID-19 preparations.

    What do you think can or should be done to help affected businesses tide through this epidemic?

    This is a good time for businesses to reassess their viability and perhaps a good opportunity to radically innovate or even pivot for the future.  

    What have you learned from this coronavirus outbreak that you didn’t know before?

    How insignificant and irrelevant we and our work (as creatives) really are—what matters most is how we treat each other as fellow human beings. 

    Is there anything you regret not doing earlier?

    I did manage to get my toilet paper stash eventually so all is good now. 

    Which 3 items or people are most useful for you right now? 

    My iPhone (with internet connectivity), my Multitool and a water bottle with a built-in filtration system. 

    Lastly, is there any business you know of that is doing better than usual because of the COVID-19 outbreak?

    Surgical Mask flippers!

    Nicholas plans to “eat healthier, smile more! Eat healthily and smile more!” over the next year. You can find him at his Facebook group “SG COVID-19 Creative/Cultural Professionals & Freelancers Support Group”, on LinkedIn or chat with him using the comment box below. 

    Next week, we’ll move on to other continents to find out how the virus has spread to other countries. Follow the latest in our COVID-19 Diaries series here.

    If you’re in a country that has been affected by the novel coronavirus and would like to share information about the situation where you’re at, do get in touch with us here.

    Photographs courtesy and copyright of Nicholas Chee. Interviewer: Sy
    Sponsor or support the COVID-19 Diaries series here.
    If you found this article useful:


  • COVID-19 Diaries: The Situation In Hong Kong, 96 Days In

    Juliana, who we interviewed last year for getting through 4 years of topical steroid withdrawal, is a sales and operations executive living in Hong Kong with 2 family members and 3 dogs, 919km away from Wuhan. She told us how the COVID-19 epidemic caused her to lose her primary source of income and explained why the people of Hong Kong have been hoarding toilet paper. 

    “There are no apparent clusters, because it’s basically everywhere now.”

    Q: Hi Juliana, thanks for connecting with us all the way from Hong Kong! When did you first hear about the 2019-nCoV / COVID-19 coronavirus and what did you think of it then? 

    A: I heard in the second week of January. They were rumours at first. I was just observing people talk about it. Some are extremely fearful, while some couldn’t be bothered. A lot were mocking the government’s response to the news. It was entertaining I’d say. Personally, I didn’t think it was going to be that serious.

    How concerned are you and the rest of Hong Kong now? Do you personally know anyone who’s been infected by the novel coronavirus?

    I’m not that concerned for myself, because I take the precautions like wearing a mask, washing my hands, and staying away from crowded places. The rest of Hong Kong right now has settled after the initial mask-hoarding weeks. Most people have access to face masks now, and they are all very hygienic all of a sudden. Fortunately, I do not personally know anyone who’s been affected.

    How many cases are there in Hong Kong at the moment of this interview? And how did most of the cases in Hong Kong get infected? Are there any notable clusters? 

    There are 101 cases as of 3 Mar 2020. Most of them got infected by having travelled to China. And then there were meal gatherings that propagated the spread. Lately, there was a family of 19 having a family gathering, and 9 got diagnosed with the virus after that meal. There are no apparent clusters, because it’s basically everywhere now.

    “Scene at a local supermarket during the first week of February after people heard there are limited supplies of rice.”
    “Scene at a local supermarket during the first week of February after people heard there are limited supplies of rice.”

    When SARS happened 17 years ago, Hong Kong had 1755 people infected vs Singapore’s 238. Yet this time round, Singapore has had more confirmed cases than Hong Kong for many days running. Why do you think this is the case? 

    Firstly, the COVID-19 is more contagious than SARS. Singapore did not force their people to take necessary precautions. I remember in the beginning of February, most of Hong Kong were already wearing masks and practicing hand washing rituals. Friends and family in Singapore told me they have no masks due to limited supplies, and the government told them NOT to wear masks? If we only relied on the sick to wear a mask to limit the spread of the virus, this will be kind of what has happened in Singapore.

    How has the government of Hong Kong been dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak thus far? Where do you think they did well and what can they do better?

    The Hong Kong government closed certain borders connected to China, and imposed a compulsory 14 days quarantine. They did well in the sense that they tried to keep the door open to people in need of medical treatment, and they can do better by closing the borders and implementing the quarantine a lot earlier. How can you try to take care of others when you don’t even have enough supplies for the medical team, and local patients?

    Is there anything you know about the situation within China or in Hong Kong that has not been mentioned, or has been misrepresented, by news agencies outside of China?

    This I do not know. I realise most foreign press talk mostly about their own country’s situation. As for the situation within China, I only hear of it through the newspaper, which may already be misrepresented.

    “Empty streets in Sheung Wan, normally dotted with people.”
    “Empty streets in Sheung Wan, normally dotted with people.”

    What is the status of food, water and supplies like masks and toilet paper in stores in Hong Kong right now? And why are people stock-piling toilet paper, of all things?

    Supplies for all the necessities are steadying since it’s been 1 month after the Chinese New Year break and most factories are back in operation. People were stock-piling toilet paper because the older folks heard rumours about a lack of supply for toilet paper as it’s a raw material in the mask-making process. When people think supply is going to dwindle, they hoard. You know old folks are really gullible, although they have a lot more experience and wisdom in them? If it’s on the internet or whatsapp, it must be true!

    How has COVID-19 affected your life?

    In so many ways. I have to wear a mask 12 hours a day, stop hanging out (it’s been 1.5 months since I last had a happy Friday night out!), family gatherings got cancelled, got extra day offs at work because we can’t work from home so our company let us have one more day to stay at home. A lot of brands are having sales now, and I got laid off at work because retail business is so bad.

    What will you do if you or any one of the members of your family develops symptoms of the virus? What do the officials in Hong Kong recommend you do?

    Self-quarantine and see a doctor.

    What will you do if the COVID-19 situation in Hong Kong takes a turn for the worse? Have you prepared in any way for the situation taking a turn for the worse?

    Probably go on a holiday somewhere else. Since the job market is really bad right now, might as well take a break. I can’t say I’m prepared, but I’ll just stick it out together with my family.

    “Going everywhere with a surgical face mask. Wearing it for 12 hours during a work day, even within the office.”
    “Going everywhere with a surgical face mask. Wearing it for 12 hours during a work day, even within the office.”

    Which 3 items or people are most useful for you right now? 

    Surgical face masks, hand wash, and iso-propyl alcohol.

    Is there anything you regret not doing earlier?

    Fortunately for me, I lived a very full life before this virus happened. I’m glad I got to do all those, and I can’t wait to explore more of Hong Kong once this situation is under control!

    Lastly, what have you learned from this novel coronavirus outbreak that you didn’t know before?

    That the average Hong Kong citizen has more common sense than the government, and they are all very well prepared to face this coronavirus. I have to say, if there is another contagious respiratory disease hitting the different cities, Hong Kong is probably one of the safer cities to be in because everyone protects themselves. If everyone else wears a mask and you don’t, you’re safe.

    Juliana is presently working on a side gig, building a brand she envisioned but hopes to get a day job at L’Oreal or Estee Lauder too someday. She no longer blogs (“My blogs are all kinda dead now ahahaha!”) but you may still converse with her here using the contact box below. 

    Tomorrow, we chat with a businessman from Singapore to find out how the novel coronavirus has affected him. Follow the latest in our COVID-19 Diaries series here.

    If you’re in a country that has been affected by the novel coronavirus and would like to share information about the situation where you’re at, do get in touch with us here.

    Other interviews with Juliana:
    How I Made It Through 4 Years of Topical Steroid Withdrawal, And How It Changed Me

    Photographs courtesy and copyright of Juliana. Interviewer: Sy
    Sponsor or support the COVID-19 Diaries series here.
    If you found this article useful:


  • COVID-19 Diaries: What It’s Like Being In Quarantine In Changwon, South Korea, 92 Days In

    Mira from Wales, United Kingdom began a teaching position in Changwon, South Korea 3 months ago. She is presently under self-quarantine in her apartment together with her partner because of the COVID-19 outbreak in Changwon, 1433km away from Wuhan, and they have been asked to continue to self-quarantine until further notice. She told us what that feels like.

    “It’s like being in a very comfortable prison where you have the freedom to do anything apart from go out.”

    Q: Hi Mira, thanks for connecting with us all the way from Changwon, South Korea! When did you first hear about the 2019-nCoV novel coronavirus and what did you think of it then? 

    A: I first heard about the 2019-nCoV novel coronavirus during the middle of January. The Korean news began to report on the break out in Wuhan. Initially I was unsure of how to react. Korea is clearly very close to China. But information about the effects of the virus were very mixed. Gradually children and staff at the school started wearing more masks. From the start of February, the school put hand sanitiser at the entrance doors, and more and more concerned conversations about the virus could be heard around Changwon city. But in truth I downplayed the seriousness of the issue, as I wanted to enjoy my life in a new country and also, I felt sceptical of how western media reports on China, as it is often prone to be sensationalist. Also the trade war shapes news reports. So I was sceptical of reports on corona.  

    How concerned are you now? How bad is the COVID-19 outbreak where you are—what are the numbers? 

    When I heard on Saturday afternoon that the first person in Changwon had been infected with the virus, my heart sank. The night before I had been out in the city centre with my partner, enjoying cocktails and Korean BBQ. But everywhere we went, people were in masks and the streets were more quiet than usual. On our walk home, we saw a crane hoisting temporary housing into the hospital, and we realised things were getting serious. A week later, Changwon has 16 cases. No new cases have been registered since Wednesday. Hopefully it is under control now. 

    How did you end up under quarantine? What did you do that put you at risk of contracting COVID-19?

    I am in voluntary self-quarantine, under instructions from our employer, as the virus has reached my local area. I work with children, and all public schools have been told to close their doors until further notice. That’s also the case for where I work and other private academies. We saw this quarantine container (see images) being delivered to our nearby hospital at 1am on Saturday morning, we went out at usual on the Friday night—it was quieter than usual. We saw this sight on our walk home and realised something was very wrong. By Saturday mid-day we were told to self-quarantine as the virus had reached our city. 

    The quarantine container Mira saw.
    The quarantine container Mira saw.

    Where are you presently being quarantined? Can you describe the size of your accommodation and all the features within it? 

    I am in my apartment. We are fortunate that we have a spacious apartment as we applied for a couple position, it is on the 17th floor so we are lucky enough to have a balcony with a view for when we feel stuffy or need a breather.

    What is your daily routine like in quarantine? Does anybody come to check on you regularly? 

    Our Korean colleagues and friends we’ve made text and check in on us now and then, the apartment communal areas are sanitised daily and we receive any information from the guards via a built-in tannoy. It’s all in Korean but our Korean neighbours kindly translate it to us via messages. 

    Are there any quarantine rules you are expected to follow? Things you must do or things you must never do? 

    They’re not rules but we’ve had guidelines such as to boil water before drinking it or use bottled water, to thoroughly wash produce such as meat and veg. And my friend from Hong Kong who recently experienced a self-quarantine period advised me to regularly disinfect sinks and drains with bleach, especially as we lived in an apartment block. 

    The view from Mira’s balcony.
    The view from Mira’s balcony.

    How does food, water and supplies get to you when you’re in quarantine? 

    We were lucky enough to have groceries paid for and delivered by our very generous boss on the first day of self-quarantine. My partner, Lloyd has been out since to replenish stock and we sanitise all products and our clothes if we need to go outside to buy food. 

    What do you do to keep your brain sharp and body healthy? 

    As a wellbeing advocate back in the UK, I was quick to set up a list of things to do when I discovered we’d be confined indefinitely. I started a blog on WordPress and regularly follow YouTube workouts from mild cardio to 10 minutes of yoga. This period of inactivity meant that we had to stock up on healthy foods; frozen fruit to make smoothies, brown rice to keep us full and vegetables to eat daily. We regularly speak to family and friends too. 

    Seriously, how does it feel to be confined to a small space and not allowed to leave for days? What’s the best and worst parts of it? 

    It’s surreal to say the least. But like anything in life, you should make the best of any situation. We both have individual writing projects we are working on and now have the time to start. But not being able to go out when you’re a very outgoing person is a tough one. It’s like being in a very comfortable prison where you have the freedom to do anything apart from go out. I miss eating out the most and just being outside and sharing the same air with everyone. 

    What would happen if you did try to leave? 

    No repercussions. I am voluntarily self-quarantined to avoid contracting the virus and complying with advice and guidelines from people of Korea. 

    “The photo of food delivered by our director on day 1 to keep us going for a week.”
    “The photo of food delivered by our director on day 1 to keep us going for a week.”

    How have the people around you (neighbours, friends, family) reacted to your being put under quarantine? 

    People have been so supportive here. In truth, I feel safer here in this country than anywhere else right now knowing that they are controlling it the best they can and they are putting people first. That’s not the same treatment we’d receive in the UK. South Korean people are some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met with great concern for their elderly citizens. The reason for so many cases being found here is because the government have put protocols in place to actively seek out virus carriers in order to protect those most vulnerable to it. Regardless of your status here, whether you are on a temp visa or here illegally, South Korea has provided free virus tests for everyone in order to put an end to the mess. 

    During self-quarantine: “The picture of me on our balcony on day 1.”
    During self-quarantine: “The picture of me on our balcony on day 1.”

    Which 3 items or people are most useful for you right now? 

    1: My partner, I’m not sure how I would have remained so calm and patient if he wasn’t here for me. The thought of being alone like so many other foreign teachers here is the reason I started my blog, to reach out to anyone on self-quarantined alone right now.
    2: My laptop— video call for connecting, Netflix for entertainment, WordPress for writing and YouTube for workouts.
    3: The people of Korea—friends, colleagues and neighbours for their constant update and concerns— they keep us in the loop with what’s going on which gives us peace of mind. What do I miss about the outside world? The world, I miss being out in the world, meeting new people, discovering new things. 

    What advice do you have for people who have been ordered to go into quarantine too?

    I have a list of things that I have mentioned on my blog ‘Welcome to Quaranteam’. It’s probably the most important time of your life when you need to keep busy and healthy (mentally and physically). 

    Is there anything you wish you did earlier that would have helped make your quarantine process better? 

    Not really. It is what it is. You can’t prepare for these things when you don’t expect them to come to you. We wished we stocked up on masks but I think everybody is in the same boat with that one. 

    What’s the first thing you’re going to do when your quarantine period ends? 

    Go to Lounge Groo in Changwon and drink a margarita (or five).

    During self-quarantine: “My partner working on a jigsaw.”
    During self-quarantine: “My partner working on a jigsaw.”

    Lastly, what have you learned from being quarantined that you didn’t know before?

    1–That happiness truly is freedom.
    2–The best time to learn about yourself and any hidden potential you have is when you’re confined. As a former prison teacher I fully understand why undiscovered potential is found when you’re caged. I’ve loved to draw since I could pick up a pencil. When life gets in the way as an adult you forget about what you once loved, today on day 9 of self-quarantine I started to draw again and produced one of the best sketches I’ve drawn since I first picked up a pencil. 

    Mira hopes to be able to go back to teaching ASAP (“We miss the kids!”) and to save, build a foundation and explore the world in the future. You can read more about her present status at miramiraoyw.wordpress.com or provide her with some entertainment by chatting with her using the comment box below. 

    Tomorrow, we’ll see the situation in Hong Kong, a country that was earlier also hit by a COVID-19 outbreak, but has since gotten their numbers of infected stabilised. Follow the latest in our COVID-19 Diaries series here.

    If you’re in a country that has been affected by the novel coronavirus and would like to share information about the situation where you’re at, do get in touch with us here.

    Photographs courtesy and copyright of Mira. Interviewer: Sy
    Sponsor or support the COVID-19 Diaries series here.
    If you found this article useful:


  • The scene Dinosaur saw while fleeing Hubei in the wee hours of the morning.

    COVID-19 Diaries: How I Made It Out Of Hubei Just Hours Before The Lockdown

    Dinosaur is a Hong Kong citizen with a mum from a small village inside the Hubei province of China. She and her family went back to Hubei before the Chinese Lunar New Year, only to find themselves fleeing 2 days later—just hours before Hubei went into formal lock down because of the COVID-19 outbreak. This is her story. 

    “We left immediately after receiving the phone call (around 1 a.m.).”

    Q: Hi Dinosaur, thanks for coming on to talk about your experience! When did you first hear about the 2019-nCoV / COVID-19 coronavirus and what did you think of it then?   

    A: I knew there was such a virus in Dec 2019, it was called Wuhan Pneumonia at that time. I didn’t realise it would be that serious in January.

    Why and when did you choose to go to Hubei? Which part did you go to? 

    My mum is from Hubei so we went to Hubei for the Lunar New Year. Since the high-speed train ticket was sold out while the air ticket was too expensive, we decided to drive to Yichang, a city in Hubei province. We left Hong Kong on 22 Jan and arrived Yichang the next day, 23 Jan.

    As I remember, the government announced on 22 Jan: “Wuhan (another city in Hubei) would be in lock down from 23 Jan, public transport would be unavailable in Hubei from 25 Jan”. If you guys decided to travel by plane instead of car, you guys might be trapped in Hubei, is that right? Which airport would it be if you chose to take a plane?

    If we took the plane or high-speed rail we definitely would be trapped in there. I think I am so lucky this time. If we chose to take a plane, we would probably fly from Shenzhen to Yichang. The public transportation including train and plane were all unavailable in Hubei from 25 Jan.

    When did you become more concerned about the virus?

    I started to worry before the trip and I tried to ask my family not to go back [to Yichang]. However, they didn’t show much concern. Anyway, I went with them even though I was not willing to go. We arrived at Yichang on 23 Jan and [right away] heard that Wuhan would be lock down. I became more and more nervous on 24 Jan because there was rumour saying the whole Hubei would be in lockdown as well. My family members started to become a bit tense at this point.

    The scene Dinosaur saw while fleeing Hubei in the wee hours of the morning.
    The scene Dinosaur saw while fleeing Hubei in the wee hours of the morning.

    What made you decide to leave Hubei? How many people in Hubei were infected and dead at that point? 

    On 24 Jan, there was a rumour saying that the whole of Hubei would be in lock down the next day. However, we stayed on at our relative’s home because we were not sure if the rumour was true. We visited relatives in a village and prepared for the Lunar New Year. 

    Suddenly, at 1am on 25 Jan, we received an urgent call from one of our relatives working for the government and were told that the rumour was true. He told us to leave as soon as possible at because the lock down would be effective from 6am, 25 Jan!!!

    Understanding we were running out of time, my brother, dad and I packed luggage immediately. We were afraid there would be no more chance to leave if we didn’t go now. However, my mum decided to stay because she believed the village we stayed at was not located at the city centre, thus safe. 

    At that time, there were about several hundred people [reportedly] infected, but my relatives were terrified because they believed the actual number would be much bigger than this. However, they were confident and believed the government would be able to solve the problem. Most of the people in Yichang were feeling doom and gloom with certain level of fear. However, nobody wore masks there.

    How difficult was it to cross the border of Hubei? How did you make it? Did you face any trouble at any point for having come from Hubei?

    We left immediately after receiving the phone call (around 1 a.m.). It was very tiring to drive past midnight but we were highly cautious. The weather was bad and visibility was quite low. Traffic was not heavy but obviously more than usual after midnight. I looked out of the window and realised there were cars from Wuhan (could be identified by car license plates) occasionally. The air was so cold on a Hubei winter morning, nobody spoke a word because of stress. It was so quiet that I could sense the smell of the dead. After 4 hours drive, we were less stressed because we crossed the Hubei border before the lock down. We were grateful for this but worried about mum on the contrary.

    Immediately after entering Hunan, we were stopped by police on a highway, they asked us where we were from, we told them we drove from Hubei to here, but since our car license plate was a Hong Kong one, the police let us go after checking our body temperature. I realised that more and more people wore masks in other provinces. However, only very few people wore a mask when I was in Hubei.

    The view from the car window when daylight broke.
    The view from the car window when daylight broke.

    I heard from the newspaper that some of the Wuhan people who escaped from home were later found astray outside because no hotel would accept them and the police might stop them. Why was it this easy for you to make it out?

    I am not sure how they treated the cars with Wuhan license plates. Since we crossed the border before the Hubei lock down, our car could pass the checking points easily. (Hubei lock down was at 6am, 25 Jan, while Wuhan’s was at 10am, 23 Jan). Some cars next to us with Hubei license plates were stopped by police with more strict checking, but they were released if the police thought they met certain checking requirements.

    More from others affected financially by COVID-19 coming next week. Follow the latest in our COVID-19 Diaries series here.

    If you’re in a country that has been affected by the novel coronavirus and would like to share information about the situation where you’re at, do get in touch with us here.

    Photographs courtesy and copyright of Dinosaur. Interviewer: Kauai
    Sponsor or support the COVID-19 Diaries series here.
    If you found this article useful:


  • COVID-19 Diaries: What It’s Like Working In A Hospital Ward For COVID-19 Suspect Cases

    George* (*not his real name) works at a hospital in Hong Kong, in a department responsible for handling novel coronavirus infections. Although he was unwilling to reveal his identity online, he did tell us what it was like working in the frontlines of the fight against the coronavirus in Hong Kong. 

    “I am the only one who was called for this job (management told me others are not willing to do this).”

    Q: Thanks for connecting with us all the way from Hong Kong. When did you first hear about the 2019-nCoV novel coronavirus and what did you think of it then? 

    A: [I first heard of it at the] end of Jan. I was afraid it might increase our workload and risks.

    When did you first start working to fight the virus as a frontline staff? What are your responsibilities? 

    7 Feb. We were responsible for opening a new fever cohort area and isolation ward for nCoV-2019 infected patients. Our job and duties included sourcing materials, checking the materials record and the lab results of suspected cases, and assisting in bed assignment and case transfers—if we found any abnormal result, we would have to coordinate with infections control team.

    Did you come across any patient in the fever cohort area who was not honest about their travel history?

    Yes, some patients lied to us… we can only check their immigration records and double check with their relatives. We send all doubtful cases to the isolation ward directly. 

    Can you describe how you deal with confirmed cases? How do hospital staff and the patients feel?

    My fever cohort area is mainly [responsible for] screening the suspicious cases. Fortunately, the confirmed cases in our hospital have to go straight to the isolation ward.

    When I found a confirmed case last week, I locked the fever cohort area immediately and called the guard to lock the lift. The patient was escorted by staff with protective clothing to the isolation ward directly. Since there was standard protocol in place for dealing with COVID-19 patients, I was quite calm when handling the case. Besides, the patient seemed to be worried but did not look terrified, maybe because the mortality rate is not high. 

    The staff here are tense but [things are] not as bad as [they were] during 2003 SARS. For SARS, it was totally new and people did not know what to do at all (e.g. what medication would help, how the virus spread and thus how to prevent it). This time, we learnt a lesson from SARS, we also know certain drugs used for AIDS can help a patient to recover. 

    The only picture George would share with us—a shot of the disposable gowns he wears at work.
    The only picture George would share with us—a shot of the disposable gowns he wears at work.

    Why did you agree to take on this job? What were your first thoughts when you found out that you were going to have to do the frontline job and what was the response of your family when they found out? 

    I am the only one who was called for this job (management told me others are not willing to do this). My first thought was how to protect myself and my family. They understood my duty and keep asking me to stay safe.

    How risky is being a frontline staff? What are the precautions you take to stay safe when doing the job?   

    The fever cohort area is the highest risk area as there is no negative pressure system in place and has instead an open cubicle design. We are allowed to use 2-4 pieces of N95 [masks] in a whole day and all face shields and visors have to be reused.

    What is a negative pressure room? 

    Negative pressure is an isolation technique used in hospitals to prevent cross-contaminations from room to room.

    How many people does the hospital scan in a day?

    Around 100.

    How has your life changed since you took on the job of being a frontline person fighting the coronavirus?

    I have isolated myself in a hotel assigned by the hospital and have minimum social interaction.

    Tomorrow, we’ll chat with another person from Hong Kong who escaped Hubei less than 5 hours before the lockdown. Follow the latest in our COVID-19 Diaries series here.

    If you’re in a country that has been affected by the novel coronavirus and would like to share information about the situation where you’re at, do get in touch with us here.

    Photographs courtesy and copyright of George*. Interviewer: Kauai
    Sponsor or support the COVID-19 Diaries series here.
    If you found this article useful:


  • COVID-19 Diaries: 100 Days After Patient 1 Developed Symptoms

    Exactly 31 days ago, we started our COVID-19 series documenting the development of the novel coronavirus outbreak in China. At that time, 37,251 people in China were known to be infected and 812 had died. There was only 1 death outside of China, in the Philippines. 

    Singapore (from which LUCK-IT operates) was the country with the second highest number of infections outside of China: 40 in total, of which 19 were local transmissions. 

    Thailand and South Korea were next with 32 and 27 confirmed cases respectively. Then came Japan with 26 confirmed cases and Malaysia with 17. 

    The Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in Japan was the location with the second highest number of confirmed cases outside of China: 64 in total. 

    Across the ocean, there were 14 known cases in Germany (none of which were locally transmitted), 12 cases in the United States (of which 2 were locally transmitted) 11 cases in France (of which 6 were locally transmitted) and 3 cases in Italy (all of which were imported from China). There were no known cases in Iran. 

    In total, there were only 24 countries affected by 2019-nCoV. Only a few countries were denying entry to visitors with travel history to Mainland China. 

    Just 31 days later, there are now around 80,904 people in China known to be infected, around 3123 of which have died. Outside of China, there are now more than 686 deaths, mostly in Italy, Iran, South Korea and France. 

    Singapore, despite having more than doubled the number of confirmed cases since (150 confirmed in total), is now way down the list of countries outside of China with the most number of cases (ranked 16th). 

    South Korea is the country outside China with the most number of confirmed cases (7382), followed by Italy (7375) and Iran (6566). France (1116) and Germany (1112) are 4th and 5th. And the United States has now 213 cases (ranked 12th). 

    On the Diamond Princess, there ended up being 696 confirmed cases in total. 

    Now that 104 countries have been affected by the novel coronavirus, there are multiple countries denying entry to visitors from Mainland China, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Italy, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Thailand, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Malaysia, Vietnam, USA, UAE, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Philippines, Somalia, Syria, Uzbekistan and Yemen. 

    Some (Kiribati, Micronesia, Nauru, Tajikistan) have even gone as far as to ban all visitors from countries with confirmed cases of COVID-19. Others ban those who have been on the ‘Diamond Princess’ cruise ship. North Korea has banned all tourists.

    On a positive note, within China the number of new coronavirus cases and deaths have been falling in recent days. Just yesterday, it had only 19 new coronavirus infections and enjoyed a 3rd straight day of having no new locally transmitted cases outside of Hubei province. In fact, China itself has now also imposed mandatory quarantine measures for visitors from Iran, South Korea, Italy and Japan as well.

    How will the situation be 31 days later, 50 days later or 100 days later? What will be of the economy now that stock markets around the world have gone into free fall and businesses are reporting dramatic drops in customer demand?   

    Nobody can tell.

    We just have to keep washing our hands while waiting to see. 

    Follow the latest in our COVID-19 Diaries series here.

    If you’re in a country that has been affected by the novel coronavirus and would like to share information about the situation where you’re at, do get in touch with us here.

    Articles that might be of interest:
    COVID-19 Diaries: An Introduction
    What It’s Like Being Locked Down In Wuhan During The 2019-2020 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak (Part 1)
    COVID-19 Diaries: The Situation In Daegu, South Korea, 89 Days In

    Image Source: World Health Organization. Compiler: Sy
    Sponsor or support the COVID-19 Diaries series here.
    If you found this article useful:


  • COVID-19 Diaries: The Situation In Busan, South Korea, 90 Days In

    Jennifer, a Canadian and wife to a Korean man, moved to Busan, South Korea in 2013 to teach English. From her home, where she’s been holing up, she gave us information on the COVID-19 clusters presently in Busan, 1468km away from Wuhan, and told us why she thinks the Korean government has done well fighting the virus. 

    “We receive text alerts daily and the Busan government has every patient from here listed on their official website. You can click on each case and see where they have been over the past few days.”

    Q: Hi Jennifer, thanks for connecting with us all the way from Busan, South Korea! When did you first hear about the 2019-nCoV novel coronavirus and what did you think of it then?

    A: I started to hear about the 2019-nCoV novel coronavirus a week before the Lunar New Year. I remember not thinking much of it, but I had this feeling in my gut that it had the potential to be serious.

    How concerned are you now? How many COVID-19 cases and related deaths are there in Busan at the point of this interview and do you personally know anyone who’s been infected with COVID-19?

    As the cases continue to multiply, I am worried mainly because it is not just me I have to worry about. I have a husband and a four-year-old son who I want to be healthy. Also, our jobs are being impacted by the virus. There are currently 78 cases. As of right now, I do not know anyone infected with the virus.

    How did most of the cases in Busan get infected anyway? Are there any notable clusters?

    From what I understand, most of the cases involve the Oncheon Church. Reportedly, one of the members’ father is from Wuhan and, as of right now, that is where experts think the virus originated from in Busan. 

    “A bus in service with no people on it. People are avoiding using the bus like the plague.”
    “A bus in service with no people on it. People are avoiding using the bus like the plague.”

    How has life changed for you since the coronavirus entered South Korea? What are you no longer allowed to do and what extra are you expected to do to keep yourself and your community safe? 

    Since the virus entered Korea, nothing significant has changed. The biggest thing thus far is that I’ve had to wear a mask while teaching. I also make sure to wash my hands and use hand sanitiser more regularly. Since the virus has been detected in Busan, work has been temporarily suspended. My son’s kindergarten is also temporarily suspended. My family and I are following what the government has suggested such as spending as much time as possible indoors and avoiding crowds.

    What else do you do regularly to keep healthy and safe?

    Since the virus arrived in Busan, I try not to touch things when I’m outside or I will use gloves to prevent my hands from touching things. When I am at work, I disinfect my hands after each class. As an extra precaution, I shower immediately after coming home and throw my clothes in the wash. My family and I are also trying to eat foods to help boost the immune system.

    Why do you choose to stay on in Busan regardless?

    I am currently teaching in Busan and currently bound to a year-long contract. Thankfully, there aren’t too many cases in Busan and it seems to be under control thus far. The school has not found it necessary to cancel the contracts of the foreign teachers at work yet.

    “Me going to work masked up.”
    “Me going to work masked up.”

    What is the status of food, water and medical supplies like masks in stores right now? Where are those supplies coming in from? 

    Masks are hard to come by and people have been hoarding them and selling for ten times the price. The government is trying to combat this by limiting the amount of masks one can buy as well has heavily fining anyone caught hoarding and reselling. I have also read that some brands of ramyeon have sold out. 

    Have you done anything to prepare for the possibility that the novel coronavirus epidemic in South Korea might get worse? Have you stocked up or made special plans you can execute at a moment’s notice? 

    We have bottled water and some instant food stocked up. I am also signed up to receive e-mails from the Canadian government should things ever get worse.

    Is there anything you know about the situation within South Korea that has not been mentioned, or has been misrepresented, in global news?

    I pay most attention to Canadian news. I don’t think that they have misrepresented anything.

    What do you think of South Korea’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak? What did they do well and what could have been done better?

    I think the Korean government has done a good job. They are very transparent and I believe they are doing their best to fight this thing. We receive text alerts daily and the Busan government has every patient from here listed on their official website. You can click on each case and see where they have been over the past few days. We also get daily updates from the Korean and Busan government as to the numbers of cases and deaths. I know that President Moon has received a lot of criticism for not banning all Chinese people from entering Korea. Many Koreans want an all-out ban on the Chinese entering Korea.

    “You can click on every patient and see where they have been at least a few days before they were diagnosed with the coronavirus. The picture is of the whereabouts of Patient 46.”
    An image of the official Busan website. “You can click on every patient and see where they have been at least a few days before they were diagnosed with the coronavirus. The picture is of the whereabouts of Patient 46.”

    What will you do if you or those who live with you develop symptoms of the virus?

    Citizens are encouraged to call a special hotline if one should develop a fever and/or a second symptom, such as a sore throat or cough. Our plan is to continue to remain indoors as much as possible. We will call the hotline, and get to the hospital as soon as possible if symptoms were to develop.

    Which 3 items or people are most useful for you right now? 

    I rely on my husband the most as he is Korean and understands what’s going on better than I do. After him, the Busan Instagram page is very informative and up to date. The government texts that are sent out are helpful as well.

    Is there anything you regret not doing earlier?

    I wish that I had stocked up on more masks.

    Lastly, what have you learned from this novel coronavirus outbreak that you didn’t know before?

    I think I understand better how fragile and interconnected things are. I think it’s one of those things where you understand it, but it’s not until you experience it that you truly understand what it means.

    Jennifer hopes to be able to move to Jeju with her family this spring, and to blog more at jeffosaurus.wordpress.com and share more photos on Instagram @maple_jeon. “I also would like to start vlogging a bit after we move so friends and family back home can get a better understanding of what Korea is like.” You can also ask her questions about South Korea and Busan using the comment box below. 

    More interviews with others whose lives have been disrupted by COVID-19 coming up next week. Follow the latest in our COVID-19 Diaries series here.

    If you’re in a country that has been affected by the novel coronavirus and would like to share information about the situation where you’re at, do get in touch with us here.

    Photographs courtesy and copyright of Jennifer. Interviewer: Sy
    Sponsor or support the COVID-19 Diaries series here.
    If you found this article useful:


  • COVID-19 Diaries: The Situation In Seoul, South Korea, 90 Days In

    James from Canada quit his job in August last year and went on an extended trip though Canada, Europe and Asia. Presently living in a guest house in Seoul, South Korea, 1398km away from Wuhan, he told us how he’s prepared for the COVID-19 crisis as a traveller on the move, and why, despite not being tied down to South Korea, he has no plans to leave just yet. 

    “Everything I’ve got here fits in a backpack, so if I need to move at a moment’s notice, it wouldn’t be hard for me to do so.”

    Q: Hi James, thanks for connecting with us all the way from Seoul, South Korea! When did you first hear about the 2019-nCoV novel coronavirus and what did you think of it then?  

    A: I first caught wind of the 2019-nCoV around New Years Eve while I was travelling in Japan. At that point it hadn’t spread far beyond Wuhan and there wasn’t a lot of noise about it, aside from comparisons to SARS, so I really didn’t think too much about it.

    How concerned are you now? How many COVID-19 cases and related deaths are there in Seoul at the point of this interview and do you personally know anyone who’s been infected with COVID-19? 

    I’m not terribly concerned. As of today there are 1,146 confirmed cases in South Korea but the majority of those seem to be in the vicinity of Daegu, not here in Seoul.

    How did most of the cases in Seoul get infected anyway? Are there any notable clusters? 

    For the first few weeks, the locations of most of the cases weren’t really well-publicised (at least in English language media that I’m aware of), understandably as most could be linked to China, so location wasn’t really that important. It seems like this new burst (from ~30 to ~1100 in slightly over a week) is closely associated with a particular church centred around Daegu.

    "A partially-stocked shelf of instant noodles (very unusual here)."
    “A partially-stocked shelf of instant noodles (very unusual here).”

    How has life changed for you since the coronavirus entered South Korea? What are you no longer allowed to do and what extra are you expected to do to keep yourself and your community safe? 

    It hasn’t had a big impact on my life so far—in fact, up until this week the effect was virtually nil. In the last few days, there have been widespread closures of museums and the Asian League Ice Hockey cancelled their championship round, which had been scheduled to begin this upcoming weekend in Anyang, a satellite city of Seoul, between a Korean team and a Russian team from Sakhalin.

    What else do you do regularly to keep healthy and safe?

    I’m washing my hands extremely frequently—probably more than I have since I found myself in the middle of the 2005 H5N1 outbreak in China. I’m wearing a mask when I’m riding the subway and in public gatherings, but other than that, not much.

    Why do you choose to stay on in Seoul regardless?

    I’m travelling around indefinitely so I’m under no obligation to remain here, but at this point heading to any other Asian country means I’ll likely be turned away, and I’m not that keen on heading home and getting off the road quite yet.

    "A museum closure sign."
    “A museum closure sign.”

    What is the status of food, water and medical supplies like masks in stores right now? Where are those supplies coming in from? 

    Masks have been intermittently low in some stores—some get re-stocked in the mornings but are often gone towards the end of the day. I haven’t personally seen any shortages of water, most food or medical supplies other than masks. I say most food because some non-perishables have been disappearing from the shelves quickly, particularly instant noodles and bulk bags of rice, but I’ve never seen them completely gone from a store, just low.

    Have you done anything to prepare for the possibility that the novel coronavirus epidemic in South Korea might get worse? Have you stocked up or made special plans you can execute at a moment’s notice? 

    I rely on daily medication, which I typically carry a limited supply of. Around the 2nd/3rd week of January, I went out of my way to get a supply that should last for several months in the event that availability is affected. Aside from another small stockpile of non-perishables, everything I’ve got here fits in a backpack, so if I need to move at a moment’s notice, it wouldn’t be hard for me to do so.

    Is there anything you know about the situation within South Korea that has not been mentioned, or has been misrepresented, in global news?

    No, I don’t believe so. If anything, the impact has been overblown, at least here in Seoul. It seems like Daegu is really taking the brunt of it at this point.

    What do you think of South Korea’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak? What did they do well and what could have been done better?

    I think that’s a question for public health experts, I’m not really qualified to answer it.

    "Hongdae neighbourhood on a Friday night. Nothing may seem unusual but that street is usually packed solid with people. Line-ups outside the busiest clubs were only 10-15 people long, but they're typically 50+ people long."
    “Hongdae neighbourhood on a Friday night. Nothing may seem unusual but that street is usually packed solid with people. Line-ups outside the busiest clubs were only 10-15 people long, but they’re typically 50+ people long.”

    What will you do if you or those who live with you develop symptoms of the virus?

    I’ll head straight to the nearest hospital.

    Which 3 items or people are most useful for you right now? 

    Soap and alcohol wipes are the big two, can’t think of a third.

    Is there anything you regret not doing earlier?

    Not really.

    Lastly, what have you learned from this novel coronavirus outbreak that you didn’t know before?

    Not that I can think of.

    James’ priority right now is looking for a new job back in Canada. You can read about him at distancefromnormal.com or chat with him using the comment box below.  

    Tomorrow, we chat with an expat in Busan, 93km away from Daegu, where masks are in short supply and hoarding has taken place. Follow the latest in our COVID-19 Diaries series here.

    If you’re in a country that has been affected by the novel coronavirus and would like to share information about the situation where you’re at, do get in touch with us here.

    Photographs courtesy and copyright of James. Interviewer: Sy
    Sponsor or support the COVID-19 Diaries series here.
    If you found this article useful:


  • COVID-19 Diaries: The Situation In Daegu, South Korea, 89 Days In

    Ariel Soon from the United States travelled to Daegu, South Korea earlier this year to start a new job, only to find herself right in the epicentre of the COVID-19 outbreak in South Korea. She told us about the situation around her, 1451km away from Wuhan, China.

    “To be honest, I don’t think any country is handling this crisis very well.”

    Q: Hi Ariel, thanks for connecting with us all the way from Daegu, South Korea! When did you first hear about the 2019-nCoV novel coronavirus and what did you think of it then? 

    A: I first heard about it when I was in the United States getting ready to move to Daegu. I didn’t really pay much attention at the time since the virus seemed to be mainly in China. When I actually arrived in Daegu, there were only about 30 cases here in South Korea.

    How concerned are you now? How many COVID-19 cases and related deaths are there in South Korea at the point of this interview and do you personally know anyone who’s been infected with COVID-19? 

    I’m getting more concerned about it each and every day, especially now that it’s up to 2,000. I don’t really know anyone here, so, no, I don’t know anyone personally who has been infected with COVID-19 yet. 

    "A cafe with a sign in the window indicating they were closed due to the coronavirus."
    “A cafe with a sign in the window indicating they were closed due to the coronavirus.”

    How did most of the cases in Daegu get infected anyway? Are there any notable clusters apart from the Shincheonji church cluster, or is that the only known cluster there? 

    As far as I know, Shincheonji is the main cluster here in Daegu.

    Can you tell us what you know about the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony? Why do people call it a cult and what is it about their activities that has enabled the virus to spread widely between its members? 

    I really don’t know much about Shincheonji, other than what I’ve read on major news outlets, that the followers crowd together and aren’t allowed to wear anything on their face, including masks, and people assumed that Patient 31 just had a cold, which is to imply that she was symptomatic at the time.

    How has life changed for you since the coronavirus outbreak in Daegu? What are you no longer allowed to do and what extra are you expected to do to keep yourself and your community safe? 

    Well, I haven’t been able to start working yet, and I don’t know when I will be able to. I always wear a mask whenever I go outside, and I don’t take public transportation. I would like to visit cafes and linger around, but I have been avoiding them. A lot of the cafes here in Daegu are closed, or they only allow you to order Take Out. 

    What else do you do regularly to keep healthy and safe?

    I’ve been staying indoors and avoiding contact with people. I have also been taking Vitamin C supplements to support my immune system.

    Why do you choose to stay on in Daegu regardless?

    I really enjoy being in Korea, despite all of this, and I would like to stay here with the hopes that the outbreak will get under control.

    Ariel's mask collection. "The top one I received when they were giving out free masks at a public square."
    Ariel’s mask collection. “The top one I received when they were giving out free masks at a public square.”

    What is the status of food, water and medical supplies like masks in stores right now? Where are those supplies coming in from? 

    There was an initial shortage of masks when news of the outbreak first occurred, but most pharmacies and cosmetic stores are now well stocked. They have increased the price, however. I haven’t seen any shortage of food and water, however, as all the food markets and convenience stores are all still well stocked. Deliveries are still being made here.

    Have you done anything to prepare for the possibility that the novel coronavirus epidemic in South Korea might get worse? Have you stocked up or made special plans you can execute at a moment’s notice? 

    I’m in contact with my employer on a regular basis and there are many medical clinics and pharmacies nearby. Luckily the convenience stores are still open 24/7–for now.

    "This is where I ate lunch. I was the only customer."
    “This is where I ate lunch. I was the only customer.”

    Is there anything you know about the situation within Daegu that has not been mentioned, or has been misrepresented, in global news?

    I haven’t seen that much news about the Daegu epidemic in great detail. I know some are reporting that it’s like a ghost town, but there are pockets of activity, and there a lot of businesses that are still open here.

    What do you think of South Korea’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak? What did they do well and what could have been done better?

    They should have closed its borders with China right after they found that first case. I have not been happy with the way they have handled this situation at all, but I also understand that I am in a foreign country and they do things differently here. To be honest, I don’t think any country is handling this crisis very well.

    "City buses are running but are mostly empty."
    “City buses are running but are mostly empty.”

    What will you do if you or those who live with you develop symptoms of the virus? How difficult is it to get a bed at a hospital in Daegu these days?

    I’m not really sure.

    Which 3 items or people are most useful for you right now? 

     Hand sanitiser, soap, mask.

    "Traffic is improving, compared to a few days ago."
    “Traffic is improving, compared to a few days ago.”

    Is there anything you regret not doing earlier?

    I don’t think it’s a question of what I, myself, could have done. This whole epidemic has to do with the community, and how do you control the behaviour of an entire community?

    Lastly, what have you learned from this novel coronavirus outbreak that you didn’t know before?

    I have admired the Korean people’s gentleness and humility in the way they treat each other. They are kind and respectful to one another, but I just keep thinking that if they were a little more stern—with China, the doctor with Patient 31 that tried to convince her to get tested for the coronavirus twice before she agreed to it—this outbreak wouldn’t be so widespread. But hindsight is always 20/20, and it’s up to the experts and public health officials to review what they got wrong this time to make sure they will be more prepared the next time this happens.

    "Hand sanitisers at an entrance to an underground mall."
    “Hand sanitisers at an entrance to an underground mall.”

    Ariel hopes to be able to continue to stay in Korea, so that she can gain some valuable experience as well as understand and learn more about Korean culture. You can follow her adventures in Korea at her blog, www.woundedcat.wordpress.com, or ask her for updates about Daegu by using the comment box below. 

    Tomorrow, we chat with a tourist in Seoul, capital of South Korea, 237km away from Daegu, to find out about the situation over there. Follow the latest in our COVID-19 Diaries series here.

    If you’re in a country that has been affected by the novel coronavirus and would like to share information about the situation where you’re at, do get in touch with us here.

    Other interviews with Ariel:
    COVID-19 Diaries: Daegu, South Korea, 167 Days In

    Photographs courtesy and copyright of Ariel Soon. Interviewer: Sy
    Sponsor or support the COVID-19 Diaries series here.
    If you found this article useful:


  • “Myself in the gear I put on when I go out. I’m not wearing a mask and neither are most others.”

    COVID-19 Diaries: The Situation In Japan, 84 Days In

    Christine Yong, who we interviewed last year for tips on how to achieve the perfect score at the IB, is presently an AI researcher living in Ueno, Tokyo. We talked with her about the COVID-19 situation in Japan and found out a few interesting details about the crisis over there that we didn’t read about in global news.

    “Management of the epidemic has been by Japanese bureaucrats not trained in epidemiology or medicine.”

    Q: Hi Christine, thanks for coming back on to share updates on the coronavirus disease situation in Japan! When did you first hear about the 2019-nCoV novel coronavirus and what did you think of it then?

    A: I heard about it on the news just before flying home to Singapore for Chinese New Year. I remember not thinking that I was at high risk of catching it at the time, as cases were only beginning to be reported in mainland China. I did however feel some sense of impending doom. Spreading of the virus seemed inevitable given the masses that would be travelling during the festive period. My family and friends were already advising me to wear a mask at the airport, keep a distance from those who were sick, and monitor myself carefully for flu symptoms.

    How concerned are you now that Japan is presently one of the countries outside of China with the most number of infected? How concerned is the rest of Japan?

    I am concerned enough to be wary of others around me who have flu symptoms, but I have not thus far felt the need to wear a mask in public or stock up on food at home.

    As for the rest of Japan, there is a very palpable uptick in people donning surgical masks, but this is not particularly panic-inducing as wearing face masks is quite a normal sight in Japan. No panic-buying of food has yet occurred (Japanese usually already have stashes of food and emergency supplies at home, in case of an earthquake or tsunami). However, face masks are sold out everywhere, with both locals and tourists emptying out new stock immediately. More companies (mostly smaller, and/or younger ones) are also introducing remote work as a containment measure. A ramen shop in Ueno has even decided to turn away all foreign customers, although this is one of few extreme cases of discrimination against foreigners due to the coronavirus outbreak.

    “Plum festival proceeding as usual in Yushima, Tokyo, after the coronavirus outbreak.”
    “Plum festival proceeding as usual in Yushima, Tokyo, after the coronavirus outbreak.”

    Do you personally know people who’ve been infected with COVID-19? How did most of the cases in Japan get infected anyway? Are there any notable clusters other than the now infamous Diamond Princess cruise ship?

    I do not personally know anyone who has been infected with COVID-19. So far, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has updated the public through press releases on the number and prefecture of known cases, but it is not clear if there are significant clusters other than the Diamond Princess cruise ship—they are distributed across prefectures, with a slight concentration in the Greater Tokyo Area.

    Why do you choose to stay on in Tokyo regardless?

    Despite some shortcomings in the government’s reporting and its implementation of countermeasures, people in Japan practice good hygiene and social awareness in general. I am not so alarmed as to leave Japan and my job here because of the epidemic.

    What measures have the government of Japan imposed to keep the COVID-19 outbreak under control? What must you do and what are you no longer allowed to do?

    The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is publishing regular updates on the number of identified cases and guidance on how to maintain hygiene at home and at work. They have emphasised hand-washing, maintaining cough etiquette, and wearing masks when ill. People with cold symptoms or fever of 37.5°C or more for 4 days or more have been advised to contact consultation centres and/or their General Practitioner. Since the beginning of February, Japan has not been admitting anyone who has history of travelling to and from Hubei or Zhejiang, or has a Chinese passport officially issued from Hubei or Zhejiang. Finally, some events including those related to the Olympics have been scaled down or cancelled. Announcements and public advisories have been published mostly in only Japanese.

    How effective do you think those measures have been?

    Because the level of hygiene is good in Japan, people have simply ramped up attention to existing practices. As for containing the disease, it is not the measures’ effectiveness but the lack of certain measures or mishandling of the Princess Diamond quarantine situation that I found unsatisfactory. For example, it has been difficult to trace the spread of the virus throughout Japan for two reasons. First, for those on the Princess Diamond, quarantine and travel restriction measures after release have not lived up to infection control standards, as pointed out in a now removed video by Professor Iwata Kentaro of Kobe University Hospital. Second, entry restrictions were imposed for those associated with Hubei or Zhejiang in the 2 ways stated above, but the recently infected were people who had travel histories to other countries, namely Indonesia and Hawaii. This left many people vulnerable to unknowingly causing person-to-person infections.

    What is the status of food, water and medical supplies like masks in stores in Japan right now? Has there been panic-buying or shortages?

    Only masks have really been affected by shortages. New stocks are depleted immediately.

    “Myself in the gear I put on when I go out. I’m not wearing a mask and neither are most others.”
    “Myself in the gear I put on when I go out. I’m not wearing a mask and neither are most others.”

    Have you done anything to prepare for the possibility that the novel coronavirus epidemic might get worse? Have you stocked up or made special plans you can execute at a moment’s notice?

    Not in particular.

    Do you still go out? If so, what precautions do you take when, and before and after, going out?

    Yes. I have not been taking any special precautions in my daily life other than wearing a mask when flying through airports, and avoiding those who appear to be ill.

    How has the COVID-19 epidemic affected your life and that of those around you?

    Only insofar as we are more aware of the need to keep hygiene standards high.

    Has the government of Japan offered any aid or relief for those whose livelihoods have been affected by the outbreak?

    A returnee contact centre has been set up for those who suspect they have the coronavirus. Other than this, the existing compulsory national insurance and public healthcare system have been responsible for providing treatment.

    Christine, out and about Tokyo without a mask.
    Christine, out and about Tokyo without a mask.

    Is there anything you know about the situation within Japan that has not been mentioned, or has been misrepresented, by global news?

    I believe that the following points have not been emphasised in global news:

    1—Lack of proper quarantine measures on the Princess Diamond.
    2—Those released from the ship were allowed to travel on public transport without further quarantine.
    3—Management of the epidemic has been by Japanese bureaucrats not trained in epidemiology or medicine.

    What will you do if you or those who live with you develop symptoms of the virus? What do the authorities of Japan want you to do?

    Wear a mask, and consult the returnee contact centre and/or your General Practitioner.

    Which 3 items or people are most useful for you right now? 

    Surgical masks, painkillers/anti-congestants, and news agencies.

    Lastly, what have you learned from this novel coronavirus outbreak that you didn’t know before?

    That despite Japan being a developed country with advanced research and medical capabilities, its epidemic response has not lived up to expectations. They have not matched measures implemented in other countries, especially with regards to contact tracing and quarantine measures.

    Christine will be moving back to Singapore for work later this year. You can follow her discoveries in AI at christineyong.com or ask her for updates on the coronavirus situation in Japan using the comment box below.

    More interviews with those affected by the novel coronavirus outbreak to come. Follow the latest in our COVID-19 Diaries series here.

    If you’re in a country that has been affected by the novel coronavirus and would like to share information about the situation where you’re at, do get in touch with us here.

    Other interviews with Christine Yong:
    How I Got The Perfect Score Of 45 For The IB

    Photographs courtesy and copyright of Christine Yong. Interviewer: Sy
    Sponsor or support the COVID-19 Diaries series here.
    If you found this article useful:


  • "On plane to Cambodia, still masked up."

    COVID-19 Diaries: Why I Left Shenzhen, China, and How

    Paul is a mature student from the United Kingdom who had been living in China for 2 years because he and his family “fancied a break from western life and culture”. He left Shenzhen shortly after the World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 to be a global emergency though and is presently residing in an AirBnB in Penang next to trees and nice restaurants. We had a chat with him about his decision to leave and found out getting out of China in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak wasn’t as difficult as we’d expected.

    “The driving factor to leave was the narrowing routes out of the country and the uncertainty of social restrictions.”

    Q: Hi Paul, thanks for connecting with us all the way from Malaysia! When did you first hear about the 2019-nCoV novel coronavirus and what did you think of it then?

    A: I remember seeing something about a virus around the beginning of January but at the time didn’t think anything of it. Just another news article.

    When did you start getting more worried about COVID-19? What made you worry?

    At first it just seemed like Shenzhen was becoming a ghost town, much like it does every year during CNY. I monitored the number of infected in Shenzhen and Hong Kong and it didn’t seem too bad, so I didn’t worry. Then the British government announced that all British nationals should leave China if they can. At that point we worried more about what was happening socially than with the virus.

    "9 Square Mall closed off."
    “9 Square Mall closed off.”

    When did you decide to leave Shenzhen altogether? How bad was the situation in Shenzhen at that point and what pushed you to make that decision?

    The morning of February 5th I spoke to some friends also living in Shenzhen and they said they were thinking of joining friends in Cambodia. Hong Kong had just closed the two main MTR crossings at Lo Wu and Futian Checkpoint so the only option I knew of was to cross into Hong Kong via the road bridge at Shekou. The driving factor to leave was the narrowing routes out of the country and the uncertainty of social restrictions.

    Just to get some perspective, how many confirmed cases of the virus were there in Shenzhen at the point you decided to leave and how many confirmed cases are there in Shenzhen now?

    Confirmed cases were low and I think it’s still low now compared to other places in China. From what I’d read, the virus didn’t really concern me as I consider myself to be healthy and quite fastidious when it comes to maintaining general hygiene.

    What restrictions were in place when you left Shenzhen and what restrictions are there in Shenzhen now?

    When I left the only restrictions were to wear a face mask in public and get temperature checks upon entering any buildings. Now as far as I am aware, the apartment where I live has imposed restrictions on movement in and out of the building. Only 1 person per household is allowed out every 2 days, and then for only an hour and a half at a time.

    How difficult was it to just gather your things and go at short notice? What did you take with you and what did you leave behind?

    It took roughly 2 hours to gather 3 small and 1 large suitcase between my family of 3. Cambodia is super-hot so packing light was easy. We had to take 3 laptops for our work and studies. Unfortunately, this wasn’t a beach holiday as we still needed to work and study remotely. The rest was a few toiletries, chargers, hand sanitisers and masks for the flight.

    What about work and rent and all other matters that might tie a person down to their city of residence. How did you leave those behind?

    I am a mature student with a British university so working remotely is what I do anyway. My wife is a teacher, she still teaches but remotely as the schools are closed. My daughter studies remotely as her school is closed too. Rent and bills are paid via online banking so no changes there.

    "Children's Palace metro station. Usually very busy."
    “Children’s Palace metro station. Usually very busy.”

    How did you get out of Shenzhen and where did you go? Did you face any problems leaving China or entering other countries because of your travel history to China?

    I left China via the Shekou to Hong Kong bridge in Shenzhen. The border was busy and full of hawkers selling tickets to Hong Kong via various means. I decided to buy the official tickets and stick to the details I’d read online before coming. This was the first time I’d used this border as the usual ones were closed. Upon arrival at customs, it was the usual head scan then I had to fill out a form asking if I’d been to Wuhan or had any ill symptoms. Leaving China was easy and done via the usual E-Channel method. A short 10 metre walk and we are greeted with Hong Kong customs, another health declaration form and head scan. No questions upon entry then on to the bus to West Kowloon and Elements mall. We spent the night at my sister in-law’s apartment in Wan Chai then took an Uber to the airport where we flew to Siem Reap in Cambodia.

    What have you been doing since leaving China? Did you have to be quarantined in any other country because of having been in China?

    We decided to spend 2 weeks in Siem Reap as that seems to be the usual quarantine period most countries apply when travelling. This was our own decision though and not forced upon us by anyone. In Siem Reap it was work as usual, my wife the teacher, myself and daughter the students. For me it was easier as I’m used to working remotely but my daughter has struggled to adjust. At the weekend, we visited some old temples such as Angor Wat. We’ve now moved on to Malaysia and since we’d been away from China for 2 weeks there were no concerns about traveling anymore. Life is a little less dusty here and the broadband is much faster so easier to work.

    "Huaqiangbei Electronics Market. Not so busy now."
    “Huaqiangbei Electronics Market. Not so busy now.”

    The virus has been spreading around Asia though. Do you think there is a chance it will catch up with you once again? What will you do if that happens?

    I saw that in Korea cases are rising but as before, it doesn’t worry me too much. I monitor the news and if things start to kick off here, we’ll just leave. All our flights have been half full and cheap so getting out is not a concern.

    Do you personally know anyone who’s been infected with COVID-19?

    No.

    "Leaving China. Picture taken just before customs."
    “Leaving China. Picture taken just before customs.”

    What have you learned from this novel coronavirus outbreak that you didn’t know before?

    I’ve learnt that its far cheaper than I thought to travel around south east Asia! Our family is close, and we get on well. I’m not sure how others are coping but we are doing fine.

    Which 3 items or people are most useful for you right now? 

    My wife, daughter and passport! Material stuff: phone, laptop and hand sanitiser!

    Lastly, when do you foresee yourself returning to China, and what will you do if the situation in Shenzhen simply refuses to get any better?

    We’re monitoring the situation and right now it’s looking like we’ll return mid-March when the schools reopen.

    "On plane to Cambodia, still masked up."
    “On plane to Cambodia, still masked up.”

    Paul is presently working on finishing up the last year of his university studies. You can find out whether or not he returns to China by checking out his website, 6000milestochina.com or ask him for updates using the comment box below.

    Tomorrow, we’ll hop on over to Japan to find out what the coronavirus situation is presently like over there. Follow the latest in our COVID-19 Diaries series here.

    If you’re in a country that has been affected by the novel coronavirus and would like to share information about the situation where you’re at, do get in touch with us here.

    Photographs courtesy and copyright of Paul. Interviewer: Sy
    Sponsor or support the COVID-19 Diaries series here.
    If you found this article useful:


  • COVID-19 Diaries: The Situation In Guangzhou, 83 Days In

    Jack, from the U.S., is a 60-year-old high school teacher at an international school in Guangzhou, where he lives with his wife and daughter. He told us why he is glad he didn’t leave Guangzhou when the coronavirus outbreak began in Wuhan, 987km away, and how life around him has been like in the 3 weeks since forced quarantine measures began.

    “You see a lot of people out in their pyjamas and lots of unwashed hair. I sometimes wonder if people are depressed. It’s been 3 weeks of this. Cabin fever takes on new meaning.”

    Q: Hi Jack, thanks for connecting with us all the way from Guangzhou! When did you first hear about the 2019-nCoV / COVID-19 coronavirus and what did you think of it then?

    A: I can’t remember exactly when, but I keep up with the news, so sometime early in January? When it first started appearing in the news.

    How concerned are you now that Guangdong, within which Guangzhou is located, is one of the provinces outside of Hubei most affected by the virus? How many people do you personally know who’ve been infected with COVID-19?

    I haven’t been concerned at all. Right now, there are just over 75,000 confirmed cases in China, but only 1,300 in Guangzhou. From what I understand there have been no new confirmed cases in Guangzhou for the past 4 days. Most of the cases are in Hubei Province which has just over 63,000.

    When it first started and we knew we’d be closing the school—I teach high school in an international school—I was a little worried about how bad it would get with memories of SARS and the bird flu dancing in my head.

    When it first started to get bad, the Chinese New Year holiday had just started. My wife and I had elected not to travel for the holiday, so we were planning to be in Guangzhou. I remember wondering if we should leave just in case. Now that the school is closed through 16 March and we’re teaching from home online, I’m glad we didn’t. It is just much harder and much more expensive to work from abroad than it is from home.

    “Empty street and sidewalk at the height of the Chinese New Year celebration. Usually the street is packed with cars and the sidewalk with flower and orange tree vendors.”
    “Empty street and sidewalk at the height of the Chinese New Year celebration. Usually the street is packed with cars and the sidewalk with flower and orange tree vendors.”

    Why do you choose to stay on in Guangzhou regardless?

    The honest truth is that I didn’t think it would affect us much. I don’t know if unconsciously, I thought that it was a Chinese thing and wouldn’t affect us non-Chinese or whether I assumed it wasn’t going to spiral out of control. I know the being a Chinese thing is irrational, but you’d be surprised at how many exceptions are made for foreigners and you kinda get used to it.

    How many cases are there in Guangzhou at the moment of this interview? How did most of the cases in Guangzhou get infected?

    According to the John Hopkins visualisation site: 1,339. I assume most people were infected in Hubei and travelled here with it. I really don’t know.

    What measures have the government of Guangzhou imposed to keep the COVID-19 outbreak under control? How effective do you think those measures have been?

    The experts say that limiting travel and contact don’t really work. I assume that they’re right, but I’m not an expert, so I don’t know. Intuitively, it sounds right, but in practice many things don’t work out as well as you think they would. Here in Guangzhou, we are encouraged to stay home. Restaurants, schools, malls, and anywhere large groups of people would gather are closed. You could be fined for being on the street without a mask—again, the experts say the masks have almost no effect on limiting the spread except that they prevent you from touching your nose and mouth, which you do a surprising large amount.

    No one can take public transportation without a mask. Apartment complexes are closed to visitors. No one who isn’t a resident is allowed in. Deliveries have to be met at the gate, and China depends on delivery nowadays. Police set up temperature check points for pedestrians and car passengers and public transportation passengers. Who knows what would happen if you had a temperature, but they check. I’ve had my temperature taken half a dozen times a day when I’ve been out. When you return to your apartment complex, they take your temperature.

    The apartment complexes here are like villages, there are thousands of people living here—fifty twenty storey buildings together. So, they have small shops in on the first floor of many of them. When I’ve gone to the small grocery store here in the apartment complex, they take your temperature. The pharmacist won’t allow anyone in his shop, he comes to the door.

    What is the status of food, water and medical supplies like masks in stores in Guangzhou right now? And how long do you think you and your family can last with the stock you have at home at the moment?

    Masks are hard to come by. When you hear of masks available somewhere, you hurry on down to get them. Things seem to be easing up a bit, though. I guess manufacturers have put on enough to start meeting demand.

    At the beginning of the lockdown-quarantine situation, the grocery store shelves got a bit bare. Now, they are better stocked. Necessities are available. Luxury items are hit and miss. Everyone drinks bottled water here. Usually it is delivered in large 18 litre jugs. But, deliveries stopped and the grocery stores couldn’t keep up with demand. We started re-filling bottles at the vending machines.

    Do you still go out? If so, what precautions do you take when, and before and after, going out?

    I’ve been out every few days. There are no real prohibitions about going out, not like there are in Wuhan. There just isn’t much to do out there. Things have started loosening up this week. For example, restaurants were allowed to reopen today (Saturday, 22 Feb).

    I wear a mask if I leave the apartment. You’ll see some people wandering the apartment complex maskless, but the one time that I forgot, I was descended upon by passers by and reminded that I needed a mask. I assume that it was out of kindness because being a hapless foreigner, I might not have understood the rules.

    In the apartment complex, you see a lot of people out in their pyjamas and lots of unwashed hair. I sometimes wonder if people are depressed. It’s been 3 weeks of this. Cabin fever takes on new meaning.

    When I get home, I use hand sanitiser immediately and then wash my hands.

    “On the street at 5:00 PM last Thursday, 19 February. Usually there is a rush hour traffic jam.”
    “On the street at 5:00 PM last Thursday, 19 February. Usually there is a rush hour traffic jam.”

    How has the COVID-19 epidemic affected your job?

    Most things are closed. Like I said, I teach high school. We’re closed through 16 Mar. We’ve been teaching online, which is a lot harder than in the class, especially since the increase in internet usage has affected connectivity. China blocks many teacher-friendly sites like YouTube, so using a VPN is a must to reach them. But, recently, China stepped up its vigilance on VPN usage, so that made teaching online that much harder.

    Is there anything you know about the situation within China or Guangzhou that has not been mentioned, or has been misrepresented, by news agencies outside of China?

    Like most things on the news, it’s not as bad as it sounds. It only makes the news if it’s bad. The boring day-to-day stuff doesn’t get shown. Honestly, most people have stayed home and made do.

    “The delivery drivers setting up for deliveries just inside the gate to the apartment complex.”
    “The delivery drivers setting up for deliveries just inside the gate to the apartment complex.”

    What will you do if you or your family develop symptoms of the virus? How difficult is it to get a bed at a hospital in Guangzhou these days?

    Every time you cough or have any soreness in your throat, you wonder whether this is it, but if we get sick, we’ll go to a clinic and hope for the best. Guangzhou is one of China’s major metropolitan areas. It has an official population of 13 million, but it sprawls all the way to Hong Kong. With just over 1300 infections, we are not taxed at all.

    What will you do if the COVID-19 situation in Guangzhou takes a turn for the worse? Have you prepared in any way for the situation taking a turn for the worse?

    We have a small stock of water and food. I guess we’ll leave if we’re able. I follow the advisories from the US and Canada. I’m American, my wife is Canadian, so we keep up with those. If they advise leaving, we’ll go.

    What are the best and worst examples of humanity you’ve seen since the novel coronavirus crisis broke out?

    There really hasn’t been a change that I could see. I took a DiDi (the Chinese equivalent of an Uber) the other day. I coughed behind my mask, and I thought the driver was going to throw me out. Otherwise, it has been no different than on most days. I met a woman at the door to our apartment building with 3 large packages and 1 on the ground. I opened the door and helped her in with her packages. I was trying to load an 18 litre water bottle into my little grocery trolly and kept catching it on the lip of the fabric. A woman hurried over to hold it open for me.

    Which 3 items or people are most useful for you right now? 

    Just before the lockdown-quarantine started, we had a case of wine delivered. Thank god. Not that we’re big drinkers, but it has been nice not to worry about it. We play lots of board games, so it’s nice having them to occupy our time as well as the PS4 and computers. The apartment manager has been very supportive. He’s helped us get masks, for example. And, we’re pet-sitting for people who are away, and I’m happy having their birds, hamster, and turtles in the house. They are entertaining and add routine to the day.

    Lastly, what have you learned from the COVID-19 outbreak that you didn’t know before?

    The Internet and social media really have changed everything about our daily lives and how we interact.

    You can see more of Jack’s thoughts at thepsyoflifeblog.com or chat with him about the situation in Guangzhou using the comment box below.

    Tomorrow, we’ll talk with an expat, also from the Guangdong province, who elected to leave China when the COVID-19 outbreak first began, to find out what he thinks of that decision now. Follow the latest in our COVID-19 Diaries series here.

    If you’re in a country that has been affected by the novel coronavirus and would like to share information about the situation where you’re at, do get in touch with us here.

    Photographs courtesy and copyright of Jack. Interviewer: Sy
    Sponsor or support the COVID-19 Diaries series here.
    If you found this article useful: