Sat Jan 25
Saturday, we sleep in until noon. Benben has peed in front of the screen door. He's an 11-year-old brown poodle with lousy hearing and cataracts and can't figure out screen doors. I mop it up, using a disinfectant. Everything has to be clean now. Our lives depend on it. Hachoo, our tiny black poodle, is about 4 but has good eyes and a quick mind. She can zip outside and will use a puppy pad out there too. Xiaolin tells me people are worried animals can get infected or get their humans sick. Some are throwing their pets away in fear for their life. We decide we will keep the dogs inside until it's over. Lin's mom asks us to come over, but we tell her it's too dangerous to go outside and risk the taxi. Mama says it's not too bad, I mean, we're all healthy, we don't know any sick people. We try to explain it could be a big health risk, and we're trying to be careful. There is a tradition, a superstition, that if you work on this day, you'll be exhausted all year. I try to avoid checking my phone and computer.
I make a mushroom omelet, fried potatoes, and avocado toast for brunch. Lin says the omelet is a bit oily but otherwise loves everything, and we feel happy and relaxed. I grind some beans, make some coffee with my French press, and it's delicious. Life finds a way.
I get a call from Jenny, the newsroom chief, "pending stories, please edit!" I check the news. "Chongqing New Coronavirus Update: 57 Cases in Total, Medical Team Headed to Wuhan." A medical crew and army support from all areas of China are organizing to go support Wuhan's seizing hospital system. I guess the ancestors would forgive me for working today.
A 150-member medical team of the Army Military Medical University heads to Wuhan on the night of January 24, 2020, to support the battle against the new coronavirus. (Photo by Liu Chan)
A bright ray of sun shines in from outside, and we get suited up with protective "outdoor clothes," including gloves, goggles, and masks. We grab a couple of stools and head to the parking garage where we can sit outside and get some sunshine for an hour or two. It feels amazing. Poor dogs looked so disappointed when we left them inside. I'm gonna get some more dog treats as soon as I can.
My friends decide to make a "Canadians in China" group, and I meet Terry and Patterson, two Canadians inside the Wuhan quarantine zone, although they tell me there are a couple hundred more that aren't in our group. We talk about the lack of contact with the Canadian consulates and embassy. I guess they're on holiday. Most of us aren't registered, although I did it last year and have gotten a few emails, basically "don't go to Wuhan." Helpful.
There's talk about an American plane coming to rescue the Americans. We're not sure if that means consular officials only or all American citizens stranded inside the quarantine zone. We wonder if Canada will come to help us, at least those of us in the quarantine zone, and how the people will make it to the airport with roads closed off. Those of us outside but in China wonder when the virus will come to us and if we will be quarantined too if Canada will help us if we are. Terry says he won't leave Wuhan unless he can bring his cat, too. Some Canadians have a husband or wife with dual citizenship or P.R. status and worry they won't be allowed on the plane. Too many hard choices and too much worry.
My school tells the foreign teachers if they're outside China, not to come back. Those in their home country, stay home. A few of my friends are on vacation and wonder how long they can manage to stay away and what they should do. So many unknowns and people are starting to freak out. We have to stay calm and be positive. Stress makes the body weak. Now is the time for philosophy.
Today we are really lazy, just watch tv and relax. I start to think this would be a great time to finish a novel, but it's hard to focus.