COVID-19 – Page 3 – LUCK-IT

COVID-19 Diaries: Perspective Of An Asian In New York, 120 Days In

March 31, 2020

Ting is an immigrant from Asia who moved to New York City a few years ago. She tells us what it’s like living with the New York Governor’s Stay-At-Home order while the numbers of COVID-19 infected in New York—12,033km away from Wuhan, China—keeps growing.

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“The so-called New York lockdown is not exactly like the Wuhan lockdown (way less strict).”
Q: When did you first hear about the COVID-19 novel coronavirus and how did you respond at first?

A: Back in December 2019 or early Jan 2020. We did nothing at first because it seemed so far from us…

There are around 50K cases in New York at the moment. If things get worse, what will you do to protect yourself and your family from COVID-19?

We have basically been working from home in the past 2 weeks in accordance with the New York governor’s executive order and did not go out unless it was absolutely necessary (e.g. getting groceries once or twice a week). Our fridge is always full, there won’t be a problem if we are not able to refill food for 2 weeks. Whenever we have to leave our apartment, we wear a mask. I have stocked up 160 masks so I think it is fine.

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The number of novel coronavirus infections in the United States is growing significantly (US’s 123,578 vs China’s 81,439 at the point of this interview), but Donald Trump wants to “reopen the economy by Easter”. Do you think he can make that happen? Will you leave the United States if an executive order to reopen things is invoked in April?

I think it is unrealistic. At least in New York City. But I am not leaving the States even if they try to reopen things to boost the economy in April.

A less busy New York. People can go out when necessary.

The news said President Trump was considering an “enforceable quarantine” in New York. What did you prepare with regards to this?

I heard this but I simply ignored what he said as he is being bipolar every now and then, you never know what is in his mind.

Who do you trust more to save New York: Donald Trump or Andrew Cuomo? Do you think the current measures taken in New York State are good enough?

Cuomo for sure. All non-essential businesses need to close now（e.g. shopping malls, salons, gyms, cinemas), but public transport is still running. The so-called New York lockdown is not exactly like the Wuhan lockdown (way less strict). I think the current measures are ok but it seems more enforcement is needed.

The US government aims to provide free testing for COVID-19 but their plans have not yet included the cost of treatment. How do you feel about that?

Luckily I have insurance plans that cover me and my family…

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Do you think discrimination against Asian peoples has been getting worse because of COVID-19? As an Asian living in New York City, do you think it safe at the moment?

I personally do not feel that and still feel safe at the moment, probably because I am living in a neighbourhood with a significant Asian population (>25%).

Tomorrow, we’ll chat with a mother in South Africa whose child has been diagnosed with pneumonia but cannot get tested for COVID-19. 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 Ting. Interviewer: Kauai
Sponsor or support the COVID-19 Diaries series here.
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COVID-19 Diaries: The Situation In Indonesia, 111 Days In

March 26, 2020

Naya is a university student in Jakarta, Indonesia, 4,166km away from Wuhan, China. She lives with her mom, dad and younger sister, and told us how the Indonesian government’s decision to reduce transportation routes to deal with the spread of the virus might have inadvertently caused new cases to form because of the long lines that resulted.
“My friend almost got harassed on the train and only one person helped. In the middle of this pandemic, there are still people out there trying to sexually harass someone and that is sad.”
Q: Hi Naya, thanks for speaking with us all the way from Indonesia! When did you first hear about the 2019-nCoV novel coronavirus and what did you think of it then?

A: I heard it first through news on social media. I saw videos of people in Wuhan, China collapsed on streets or simply lying there. I thought it shocking and worth noticing. But honestly, I thought that it would die down soon.

How concerned are you and the people of Indonesia now? How many are infected or dead because of the virus in Indonesia at the moment of this interview?

Currently, 369 people are positive and 32 people are dead. I am very concerned because the numbers are increasing fast. Mortality level here is very high, more than China and Italy. I can’t speak for all of the people in Indonesia, but some of us care and some of us think that this is the opportunity to go on a vacation.

“My food supplies! It’s not piling up because we can still order food online.”

Who were the first few coronavirus infected people in Indonesia and where did they contract COVID-19 from?

2 people, mother and daughter, first got infected when they interacted with a person from Japan. When that person went back to Malaysia, it turned out that he got the virus. That’s why the mother and daughter got checked to see if they got it.

How did most people in Indonesia contract COVID-19? Can you tell us about the biggest clusters and how those happened?

Biggest cluster is probably the long line of people waiting for the TransJakarta bus until [they spilled out onto] the streets. The government reduced transportation routes so many people piled up on certain lines. Over the past few days, influencers have helped charities and supplied hospitals but there are still people that go outside due to their jobs so I think that could also be the primary cause.

Another photo of Naya’s food stash.

Indonesian Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has been infected with COVID-19. How do you think that happened?

I actually believe that this virus had been in Indonesia for a while. People know that they are positive only because of getting medical check-ups but here in Indonesia we have to go to the hospital IF we want to get checked up. It is not a MUST to go to the hospital. I don’t know for sure how he got COVID-19, maybe because he interacted with someone that is infected but both of them didn’t know.

What is the status of food, water and medical supplies in Indonesia right now? Are there any shortages? What is the plan for those shortages if so?

Fortunately, we still have all of the supplies. People can order food and vegetables through online apps so that is really helping us right now. Supermarkets limited certain things to prevent panic buying.

Have you and those around you done anything to prepare for the possibility that the novel coronavirus pandemic might get worse?

I don’t have a plan. All I’m doing right now is staying at home with my family. If it did happen, I don’t have anywhere else to go other than my home so I’ll try my best to stay inside and healthy.

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

I have to do online classes because of COVID-19. I can’t have meetings with my organisation and my show got postponed until November. So it is really affecting my life right now. My friends are all disappointed and sad because we can’t hang out like we used to. My father has to work from home and do all of the meetings [at home]. The time schedule is the worst because there is no clear boundaries between work and break.

“My ‘working space’. Sometimes my father uses it for meetings. I usually just lie on my bed and do online classes.”

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

If that occurs, we have to get them checked immediately. We should go to the referral hospital. Then, that person would have to isolate themselves while waiting for the test. If he is infected, an ambulance will pick him up and take him to the [other] hospital.

When do you think this COVID-19 pandemic will end and why do you think so?

Honestly, I have no idea. If people don’t take this seriously, then this pandemic will continue. I know they found the vaccine, but if people are still careless I don’t think it will end.

What are the best and worst examples of humanity you’ve seen since the COVID-19 crisis broke out?

The best one: Influencers in Indonesia dedicated some of their money to raise for charity to the hospital. They are also giving out safety suits to them.

The worst one? My friend almost got harassed on the train and only one person helped. In the middle of this pandemic, there are still people out there trying to sexually harass someone and that is sad.

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

They are my family, soap, and internet. ^-^

The last time Naya went out, she wore this. That was 3 days before this interview was done.

Where are you answering this Q&A from? Can you describe the situation in your neighborhood right now?

I’m answering this from my house, my room to be exact. My neighbourhood is a school zone yet right now it is very quiet. I don’t see people hanging out on the streets anymore.

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

The proper steps to wash your hands. I know it’s a common thing, but I didn’t always do those steps before. This novel coronavirus actually made me a better person in terms of hygiene. I’m paying much more attention to small things like wearing a mask when you’re sick, and coughing or sneezing into the bend of your arm, etc.

Naya is presently trying her best to get through this semester via online classes. She hoped to be able to be a social researcher once finishing her degree in Sociology but is presently simply waiting to see. You can read more about her on her blog nightimewriter153211359.wordpress.com or ask her for updates on the situation in Indonesia using the comment box below.

We have more interviews with people in other parts of the world 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.

Other interviews with Naya:
COVID-19 Diaries: Indonesia, 196 Days In

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Naya. Interviewer: Sy
Sponsor or support the COVID-19 Diaries series here.
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COVID-19 Diaries: What It’s Like Being In Lockdown In Italy, 109 Days In

March 25, 2020

Eleonora is from Milan, capital of the Lombardy region in Italy that has been hardest hit by COVID-19. She told us about the restrictions presently surrounding her, 8,684km away from Wuhan, China, and that nobody in Italy really knows how the first few Italian locals got infected.
“It all happened through social interaction.”
Q: Hi Eleonora, thanks for speaking with us all the way from Italy! When did you first hear about the 2019-nCoV novel coronavirus and what did you think of it then?

A: Hi Sara, thank you for hosting me first of all. I first heard about novel coronavirus back in January when the news was reporting what was happening in Wuhan but honestly, I did not pay too much attention to it at the beginning as it was happening far away. I was following the situation, although with a certain detachment.

Only later, on January 31 when, as a consequence of two Chinese tourists being hospitalised in Rome, the Italian Government declared the state of emergency, stopping all direct flights from China, did I realise how serious the situation was getting.

Yet life here (I live in Milan) was running as usual. Then, on February 21, the first Italian case was announced and everything changed.

How concerned are you and the people of Italy now? How many are infected or dead because of the virus in Italy at the moment of this interview?

I am very concerned actually as there are many people infected in Italy, yet there is part of the population either in denial or minimising the seriousness of it as well as minimising the dangerousness of this virus.

As per last night, the data is dramatic: The total number of cases of contagion is 35,713. A number that includes the 28,710 people currently positive (a 2648 increase in the number of people currently positive from the day before), the 4,025 patients cured and the 2,978 people who died.

To date, there are 14,363 patients with related SARS-CoV-2 symptoms, 2,257 patients in intensive care, and 12,090 in home isolation. There have been 165,541 swabs carried out in Italy since the beginning of the epidemic. 475 people died in the last 24 hours

Who were the first few coronavirus infected people in Italy and where did they contract COVID-19 from?

Patient 1 was a 38-year-old sportsman from Codogno, a small village 60km away from Milan. His wife was found positive too, as well as many of the people who had been with him in the ER waiting room. It is not clear how he contracted the virus.

According to research by the well-known virologist Professor Massimo Galli, the entry of the new coronavirus in Italy dates back to January 25. COVID-19 began to circulate on our territory on that very day from the Codogno area.

Just 3 days earlier, the virus was isolated in Germany from a German manager infected by a Chinese colleague from Shanghai. The German strain turned out to be very similar to that of the one in Codogno.

How did most people in Italy contract COVID-19? Can you tell us about the biggest clusters and how those happened?

It all happened through social interaction. First cluster, as said, happened in Codogno. The guy used to run in a team and play soccer. When what he thought was a simple flu started worsening, he went to the ER. Once there, he sat in the waiting room with many other people, probably for hours.

Another cluster, though a smaller one, started in Vo’ Euganeo, a small village near Padua; it is not clear if any of the people who came out to be positive to the virus there came into contact with people in the Codogno area.

At the moment, Bergamo and Brescia are the cities with the most cases which makes Lombardy the most hit region in Italy.

What measures has the government of Italy imposed to keep the COVID-19 outbreak under control? We know the whole of Italy is in lockdown but what does that really mean? What can’t you do and what must you do?

On February 22, the Italian Council of Ministers announced a new decree law to contain the epidemic, which provided for the quarantine of over 50,000 people from 11 different municipalities in northern Italy, including Codogno. The area was named the Red Zone. No one was allowed to leave those cities or enter them. Mandatory quarantine was imposed at their homes with permission to leave only for food and pharmaceutical shopping and with the obligation to wear protective masks. All for the duration of 14 days. Police officers were placed on guard. The penalties for violation of the blockade ranged from 206 euros fine up to 3 months imprisonment.

On March 7, as the virus kept spreading, the lockdown was extended to all Lombardy (schools and universities, together with gyms had been closed 2 weeks earlier) and 2 days later all of the peninsula got included.

Only food stores and pharmacies have been allowed to stay open since then; access to these stores is limited to allow at least 1 metre distance from one another. Face masks are highly recommended.

We cannot leave our houses unless we have to go to work, to the supermarket or pharmacy, or if we have to, for example, assist relatives in need. When leaving our house, we have to fill in certification to be shown to the policemen patrolling the streets. If they determine that you made a false statement then you risk being reported for epidemic spread.

The Government has also launched a series of economic interventions to support citizens who are unable to work and therefore do not have an income.

How effective do you think the above measures have been in stopping the spread of the virus? What was done well and what could have been done better?

The more the population respects the lockdown and stays at home, the faster the virus will stop spreading. This is the only way to defeat this invisible enemy.

The death rate of novel coronavirus infected patients in Italy is higher than most other countries. Why do you think that is the case?

There are different reasons why this is happening: Italy has the oldest population in Europe and as you know the virus is more aggressive on older people. And we have a population density of 200 per square meter.

What is the status of food, water and medical supplies in Italy right now? Are there any shortages? What is the plan for those shortages if so?

When the first restrictions were announced, people freaked out and emptied most supermarkets, but we have never experienced a shortage of any kind except for face masks and sanitising hand gels. Police are checking on people who are trying to exploit the situation and sell those items for more.

Have you and those around you done anything to prepare for the possibility that the novel coronavirus pandemic might get worse?

I am one of the lucky ones; I can work from home and study to keep myself busy. I stay inside and respect the rules. My mother, who is 77 and lives with me, has a series of pre-conditions and I must protect her.

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

I cannot see my friends and family members as all kinds of social gathering is banned and it is hard, yet to avoid kissing or hugging my own mother is even harder; as said she is a fragile individual and I must prevent her from getting sick. Thank God we have all the means to reach faraway people and talk to them whenever we desire it.

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

I would isolate myself to protect my mother who lives with me. We are asked to call some designated numbers if we have a temperature equal or higher than 37.5 degrees Celsius and a cough in order to inform the healthcare system. They would send people out to test your suspected positivity with the virus and evaluate if you need to be hospitalised or, if you only have mild symptoms, can take care of yourself at home though in isolation.

If you did contract COVID-19, what do you think your odds of surviving it are and why do you think so?

The official death rate in my age range (I am 45) is 0.4%. I refer to it even if there are people in the same range who ended up in IC and needed to be intubated, as it happened to Patient 1.

When do you think this COVID-19 pandemic will end and why do you think so?

I really cannot answer this question. The situation is getting worse and worse everywhere except for China which has inverted the contagion curve after its government took drastic measures. It will take months for sure and hopefully a vaccine will be ready soon.

What are the best and worst examples of humanity you’ve seen since the COVID-19 crisis broke out?

Best examples are younger people offering to buy food supplies for more fragile people in their buildings and help them with whatever they may need. I also really appreciated China helping us by sending medical supplies and doctors to help us in our fight against the virus.

Worst probably Germany and other European countries retaining the masks stocks we order from abroad. They knew how much we need them, yet they tried to keep them for themselves. EU had to intervene, threatening to sanction them.

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

Face protective masks, glasses and gloves.

Where are you answering this Q&A from? Can you describe the situation in your neighborhood right now?

I am answering these questions from my apartment in Milan. I live in quite a central area and my neighbourhood is usually very lively. At the moment, it is absolutely silent and quiet. You only see people quickly walking their dogs and a car passing by once in a while.

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

I am learning not to take things for granted. Your life may change drastically in matter of hours.

Eleonora is presently working for the Italian association of financial markets professionals and also studying to become an English teacher. “I was supposed to start a course at the end of February but due to this situation it is now postponed to June; I am crossing my fingers.” She had to can her plans to visit friends in the Netherlands, UK and USA when the virus started and hopes to be able to resume travelling again at some point. You can read more about her documentation of her COVID-19 experience on her blog livinghardtimes.wordpress.com or ask her for updates on the situation in Italy by using the comment box below.

Tomorrow, we speak with a university student in Indonesia who has only just learned to wash her hands properly, thanks to COVID-19. 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 MLWatts. Interviewer: Sy
Sponsor or support the COVID-19 Diaries series here.
If you found this article useful:
COVID-19 Diaries: Perspective Of A Prepper In Thailand, 103 Days In

March 24, 2020

Mark is from Thailand, a country 2,123km away from Wuhan, China. Although there are only 177 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Thailand at the moment of this interview, he is already well-prepared for a serious outbreak… ready to survive even if the virus wipes out 90% of the population in his country.
“I just went out with the protective suit and the P100 filtered respirator and didn’t even really get funny looks.”
Q: How afraid of the novel coronavirus are you now? How did you prepare for the COVID-19 outbreak?

A: I am pretty scared because I think at least 50% [of the time] that I have it myself and I am scared to give to my family.

I bought a respirator mask, protective clothing, a lot of supplements such as Hydroxychloriquine, Ventolin, elderberry, vitamin C, vitamin D, NAC and ALCAR. I also bought antibiotics and a pulse oximeter. In addition, electrolyte powders too for diarrhoea; it saved my life one time. On top of that, I am growing veggies at home.

[Interviewer’s research: Hydroxychloriquine is a malaria turned autoimmune drug that has been said to be effective in treating COVID-19—and has been heavily promoted by President Trump of the USA despite medical experts warning that they don’t yet know how safe and effective it really is. Ventolin is for treating shortness of breath caused by breathing problems like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Elderberry is full of antioxidants. Vitamin C is another antioxidant that also has many other benefits including the prevention of scurvy. Vitamin D is essential for building strong bones and helps prevent rickets. NAC or N-Acetyl Cysteine is used by the body to build antioxidants. ALCAR or Acetyl-L-Carnitine is an amino acid that is also produced by the human body to generate energy. Antibiotics are used to treat some types of bacterial infection. A pulse oximeter is used to measure the amount of oxygen carried within your body.]

Wow! Where did you get your protective suit and respirator mask from?

I bought the suit on lazada.co.th, a Thailand local site. [It cost] US$100, everything is reusable. For the respirator filters, I bought 20 extra sets. 🙂 The air here is so bad, it is good to have this outside to breathe normally. I think they were $6 for a pair but now they are about $20.

Are you using the gear now or keeping them for later use?

I wore these PPE (personal protective equipment) and respirator mask today. I just went out with the protective suit and the P100 filtered respirator [the respirator option that blocks the widest range of hazards] and didn’t even really get funny looks. Really, most people had masks on, maybe 75% of the people.

Mark in his protective suit with his P100 respirator.

What measures were implemented/are going to be implemented by the government of Thailand to deal with the COVID-19 virus?

They are fighting the virus in many ways. For example, temperature scans are everywhere, foreigners will have to download an app on their phone to track their movements on arrival.

How do you keep yourself from getting infected?

I’ve been already staying home now for a few weeks (but just out today with PPE), and will stay inside for a while.

Mark believes this novel coronavirus will change the world as we know it and likely not for the better. “Lots more authority and powers for those that have too much already.”

Tomorrow, we’ll chat with someone from the Lombardy region of Italy to find out what lockdown is like for one of its Milanese residents. 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 Mark. Interviewer: Kauai
Sponsor or support the COVID-19 Diaries series here.
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COVID-19 Diaries: Perspective Of A Businessman In Singapore, 98 Days In

March 19, 2020

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.

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.

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.

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

March 18, 2020

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.”

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.”

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.”

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

March 17, 2020

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.

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.

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.”

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.”

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.”

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

March 13, 2020

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.

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.

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

March 12, 2020

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.

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

March 10, 2020

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

March 5, 2020

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.”

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.”

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.

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

March 4, 2020

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).”

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.”

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.”

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.
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