It’s been a week or so since I last mentioned the Coronavirus. Since then I’ve had people reach out worried about the virus. My dad text me one night cause he couldn’t sleep worried that I wouldn’t be able to leave if I wanted to. I told him I would be in contact everyday to update him on my situation. I haven’t. I contact him every few days. It gets redundant after a while. “Oh yeah, today I woke up, ate, binge watched Netflix, wrote,” blah blah blah. It becomes rather frustrating knowing that’s all you’re really allowed to do for the next few weeks. Just recently I saw a post on Facebook in an expat group, and this woman that isn’t even living in China was upset at the people going through this who are trying to make the best of their situations. It was hilarious. She was really trying to chastise grown people for not being sad and depressed during this time. Okay sis, if that’s the hill you want to die, go jump. No matter what we do in our predicament, someone will be upset about something. I decided that I will just keep doing what makes me happy, or brings me some joy, and keep it moving.

Going outside has become a field trip. We are having our temperatures checked upon exit or entry of our living spaces. On random streets there are blockages made so that selected individuals can check your temperature, going and coming. Just the other day my boyfriend and I underwent street temperature checks going to and from the supermarket. It was nice to see that the people within our community are taking this serious, but also annoying with all of these groceries on a motorbike. Still I enjoy that short time outside as opposed to be locked in my apartment. Feeling the cool brisk air on my skin and smelling the polluted air has become my favorite pastime during this season of the Coronavirus.

The number of cases in China is over70, 000 by now, yet the number of deaths hasn’t quit reached 2,000. The number of cases in our town alone is 79 out of maybe 8.6 billion citizens, give or take. That is nothing. I am not worried about catching this virus, because I am hygienic. I wear face masks, though I am running out. Even friends in Japan can’t find any to send me…..I wash my hands. I disinfect. I clean my apartment with disinfectants, such as Lysol. I’m good. If people practiced good hygiene in this country, this thing would not have gotten out of hand. However, throughout China the virus has been decreasing in cases. Yes people are still reporting cases, but the numbers have decreased by at least a thousand a day, so that says a lot. The country is getting this under control and though we aren’t in the clear yet, it seems that normalcy is returning to our every day lives. More people are beginning to go out in public. In larger cities that had shut down modes of transportation, people are spotted having meet ups, going to restaurants, hanging out, and just going about their days. They take precautions, but they aren’t letting the virus deter them any longer. In cities closer to the heart of the virus there isn’t much movement cause they are in lockdown. Still, there is normalcy returning. Even in my apartment complex I can hear the children getting out more and more. It seems the season is changing and brightening the spirits of the people.

People are still worried about what to do about their families and work. Mothers are panicking about their children’s well being. Just recently, I heard of people using the Coronavirus and people’s generosity as an opportunity to scam folks out of money to fund their lifestyle. There are scammers online who have been selling fake masks at ridiculous prices that then are outraged at you being upset. People are getting cabin fever and arguing over the simplest things. Men are still trying to mansplain things they don’t understand to women and it’s crazy. Some foreigners and even Chinese natives are still trying to leave the country. Teachers have been given the go ahead for online teaching and are using this time to get paid to travel. Personally, my company is still on that “no work, no pay” and stay in your apartment BS, but I’m going to dip out of here for another mini vacay. I truly wish my bf could come but it’s not in the cards financially, and I’m not waiting around for him to try and get a visa. If I wait my whole opportunity might just pass me by.

As we all choose to remain in China, we see people shame us for staying. “Well why didn’t you do xyz,” knowing full and well not everyone is privileged enough to just pack up and leave at the drop of a hat. Not everyone wants to risk their health. Not everyone wants to spend money traveling for months on end. Not everyone wants to leave their life behind and return to their native country where they have to start over. Not everyone is you. Some people are content being in their apartments with all of their things and family or pets. Some people don’t mind the free time. Some people are taking up hobbies and reinventing themselves, learning things that previously they hadn’t realized they enjoyed.

This Coronavirus epidemic is teaching people who your friends and enemies are. It’s teaching us who really cares about our well being. It’s teaching us who we can depend on if necessary. It’s teaching us how to turn a negative situation into something positive. I for one have picked up baking, and started reading writing more. I am learning to appreciate America for what it is. Yes it may treat its people terrible, but it’s home. I know I can always return without issue.

I am doing the best that I can in such a terrible situation. I have heard of people having breakdowns and such during this time, but I’m choosing not to stress over what I cannot handle. I feel for these people. I cannot imagine having depression and anxiety during such a time. We are all trying to make sense of what is happening and keep sane during our solitude. Some people have been stuck much longer than I have been, by themselves, and I’m on week three post vacation. I’ve seen people say they self-quarantined themselves for 4-6 weeks as of today. I can’t even imagine being alone in my apartment for that long.

Some folks are hopeful that the big turnaround will have the schools opening soon. Others like myself believe this will continue well into April May time. My contract will be up May 14th and I don’t plan on recontracting with this company. I keep hearing March 2nd, March 2nd from my company. These people are so hopeful for schools to be back in session and we still haven’t really got a real vaccine. I’ve seen my boss twice since this started. Once to bring me medicinal alcohol, and the other to bring me a few face masks and food. Both times I was told to just stay inside of my apartment. Little do they know I am busting out of this joint soon. I highly doubt school will be in by March 2nd and I have zero problems with booking a flight to briefly forget about this nightmare. As soon as I can find the perfect destination for me, I’m gone. Until next time, namaste.

Below are a number of pictures around towns throughout this season of Coronavirus.

Check out this article for recent updates. https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/Q-MR0x2H0yyXKJI7co1vAg