As CeCe Peniston has so aptly stated: “Finally, it’s happened to me.” But for me it was not about meeting “Mr. Right.” Rather, it was an intruder getting in the house. I held off for as long as I could. This could only last for so long with something as insidious as COVID. At 0503…
Category: COVID-19
COVID Apocalypse in China
Report from the Inside—In China currently, how many people really have COVID? Who the heck knows.Sorry for the lack of stats.But who in the heck knows. What I do know is this… Within the first 10 or so days of the Party dropping its three year old Zero Covid policy here are a few things…
There Are 13 Kids in School Today
13 in our entire middle school of grades 6-7-8. Whiplash! Now that COVID is being allowed to spread freely in China for the first time, the floodgates have opened. Our bubble has burst. An English Department colleague tested positive this morning. The first from our office. Another colleague is out sick today. Don’t know how…
Whiplash!
Within just about a week’s time, China has pivoted from the infamous “Zero COVID” policy to something akin to “We’ll be the greatest in the world at living with the virus.” (credit: Remo) “Embrace the Virus!” —-new bumper sticker (credit: Andrew D.) Folks at school at dropping like flies. As of yesterday afternoon, at least…
China’s Pivot
What’s Shanghai like right now as China finally drops its “Zero COVID” policy? 6 things… Those blue QR code signs are still present by security guards in subway stations. There is also an increasing sense of elation bordering on exuberance for those of us awaiting travel abroad—and a very hopeful return to NO hotel quarantine!…
Escape
Wednesday, October 12: Day X of “3 day” lockdown—Escape from Xishuangbanaa ESCAPE from the inside—accomplished! We have finally departed. It was 13:34.We first arrived in the neighborhood which would become our prison ( of sorts) around 20:00 on Sunday, October 2nd. We awakened the morning of October 3rd to find out our downtown Jinghong neighborhood…
Lockdown Day VII: Wandering Again Within Razor Wire Perimeter
Sunday, October 09–Day 7 of a “3 day” lockdown The doors have opened! We are freed! (Kind of) Transportation passes good for 48 hours are being distributed out front. Private cars began exiting this morning. But the grocery below is locked up. The fruit store would not allow me to buy. Virtually every business besides…
Padlocked Inside
Friday, October 07: Lockdown Inside Quarantine Zone Reaches More Horrific Point Beyond Anger. Breathing Fire It’s like they’re spitting in our faces, saying, “We don’t care if you die, so long as we save our jobs.” Look what we woke up to: Yes. Those are indeed padlocks on the entry-exit doors. Yes, we are indeed…
Walls Are Closing In
Thursday, Oct 06 —Lockdown inside quarantine zone Day IV Walls closing in now. It’s a true race against time. Soldiers are now sealing off every business Every single one, we believe. Government will provide meals but for a vegan it will be crap. White rice and one oily vegetable, more than likely. Preparing for the…
My Own Private Teahouse
Thursday, October 06–“3 Day” Lockdown Day IV, Xishuangbanaa, Yunnan, China Appreciate every moment. Who knows when your new lockdown neighbors will hand over the keys to their Pu’er teahouse? Now, I’m on the inside, drinking delectable “shen” Pu’er tea to my heart’s content.
Lockdown, Day III
Yes. It’s happened again Sunday night-Monday morning, October 02-03, 2022, Yunnan province, China—215 miles to the Laos border: Like so many experiences in China, it began as another exciting, culturally shocking, yet subdued night, before morphing as we slept into a wholly unexpected, startling phenomenon. Thrilled as I was to see the Cambodian (or Dai)…
Uncertainties
In the ranks today, we’ve had 15 colleagues forced home into lockdown. 3 alone from our Lower Secondary department. They were all called to leave even though we get COVID tested here at school every single morning , five days a week. Lotus grocery store at the end of the block where colleagues live has…
Don't Let My Parents Read This 