Bailing out

[abcdefg]

I’m bailing out.

 

Bought a ticket late last night that has me leaving this Friday, 31 Jan. Will fly via Hong Kong. Flights via Beijing and Shanghai are subject to long delays or cancellations. "Hub" traffic jammed up, especially in Beijing, where they are “breaking in” a new airport. In Hong Kong I will remain air-side if possible. I will have completed exit formalities at passport control prior to boarding in Kunming.  I should be in Dallas by the afternoon of Saturday 1 Feb.

 

Lock-downs and travel bans are becoming more widespread. Inter-city bus routes have been suspended, as has all group holiday touring. Most points of interest all over China are closed. The government has officially extended the holiday, so people don't need to be in a panic to get back home to their place of employment. Once people reach their actual homes, where they have jobs, I wouldn't be surprised if all (or most) domestic travel is halted. When no one is sure how much is enough, official over-reaction becomes the norm. 

 

Schools are suspended, all gathering places are sealed. Even the movie theaters have shut down. People are stockpiling groceries, especially non-perishables like rice and cooking oil. Canned goods were flying off the shelves when I was at WalMart this morning. 

 

If I were not to act now, I would face a real risk of being stranded here 3 or 4 more months before being allowed to exit the country. At least that is my main concern. Of course, nobody has a crystal ball.

 

A second concern is that even though I am healthy, were I to get a benign ten-cent winter cold, the cough, runny nose, and slight fever from that would wind me up in some mandatory locked isolation ward, shoulder to shoulder with people who are "really" sick. I see that as a recipe for disaster; my policy is to stay far away from hospitals at times like this unless I’m on the caregiver end of the equation.

 

So it's bye bye Kunming. I will definitely miss you. Promise to return as soon as it's safe. 

[DavyJonesLocker]

Actually sounds like a smart decision. Better safe than sorry. 

 

My gut feeling is that it won't be a huge pandemic like everyone is fearing and the numbers so far are pretty miniscule considering the size of the population . But better safe than sorry I guess! Good luck on your travels. Hope you can come back soon!

[abcdefg]

I'm old and have bad lungs, so that factors into the equation. 

[Flickserve]

21 minutes ago, abcdefg said:

I'm old and have bad lungs, so that factors into the equation. 

Definitely. Self isolation for two weeks on your arrival. Good luck 

[889]

Sorry to hear this, but it is the right decision.

 

There's also the concern that as this progresses air tickets out of the region may become unavailable on short notice or very expensive.

[abcdefg]

2 hours ago, 889 said:

There's also the concern that as this progresses air tickets out of the region may become unavailable on short notice or very expensive.

 

That is already happening. 

 

Quote

Self isolation for two weeks on your arrival.

 

Very important reminder, @Flickserve -- Thank you. 

[mackie1402]

Safe trip! It's a wise choice for now. Personally, I would've done the same a few years back, but now we have a 3 month old son, so travelling is just out of question for us. Sure, my wife and I can wear a proper mask, but there aren't any for babies. Too much risk! 

 

Enjoy your trip!

[889]

"The government has floated a highly controversial idea in recent days: to stop mainland Chinese passengers from transiting through Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) to help combat the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak, the Post has learned. But because of strong resistance from the aviation industry, discussions led by the Transport and Housing Bureau are at a standstill, according to people familiar with the matter."

https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3047899/china-coronavirus-hong-kong-officials-proposed-stopping

 

EDIT: Check your flight! Just announced late Tuesday afternoon, "Flights from and to the mainland will be cut by half."

 

https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3047907/china-coronavirus-hong-kong-government-deny-entry

 

 

[roddy]

Hope the trip goes smoothly, and hoping for a swift return. 

[abcdefg]

6 hours ago, 889 said:

EDIT: Check your flight! Just announced late Tuesday afternoon, "Flights from and to the mainland will be cut by half."

 

Thanks for the tip. I'll monitor it closely. 

 

5 hours ago, roddy said:

Hope the trip goes smoothly, and hoping for a swift return. 

 

Thanks, Roddy. I always go back to the US once a year. Had originally planned to go a little later, second half of February. So going now instead isn't really all that radical. 

[Jan Finster]

6 hours ago, abcdefg said:

I'm old and have bad lungs, so that factors into the equation

 

I think it is very reasonable to get yourself out of there given your age and concerns. 

 

However, since anyone traveling from China could be infected and could pose a risk,  a voluntary 2 week self-quarantine (incl. wearing a mask in your home country) would not be a bad idea in my opinion.

 

Best wishes!

[abcdefg]

On 1/28/2020 at 7:54 PM, Jan Finster said:

a voluntary 2 week self-quarantine (incl. wearing a mask in your home country) would not be a bad idea in my opinion.

 

Yes, I fully agree and plan to do that. 

 

When I go back to Texas for my annual visit, I usually hit the ground running, trying to get lots of things done in a short time. Dentist appointment, new eyeglasses, get new supplies of prescription meds, stop by and chat with the folks at the bank, and so on. Visits with friends and relatives to catch up on news, renew interpersonal ties. Take this old pal out for dinner and that old pal out for a drink. This year I will take it slow and easy. Will  play the "masked bandit" when out of the house.  

 

Maybe I can finally get my Chinese recipes all pulled together into a small but usable cookbook. That would give me a welcome sense of satisfaction. 

[Flickserve]

Man, you have so much energy. I am like a sloth after a long flight.

 

It would be difficult to really isolate oneself totally. But a careful diary just in case you did fall ill would be helpful for contact tracing

[imron]

6 hours ago, abcdefg said:

Maybe I can finally get my Chinese recipes all pulled together into a small but usable cookbook. That would give me a welcome sense of satisfaction.

Every cloud has a silver lining!

[abcdefg]

11 hours ago, Flickserve said:

But a careful diary just in case you did fall ill would be helpful for contact tracing

 

That's another excellent idea. And I had not thought of it. Thank you!

[Dawei3]

From a health perspective, try to avoid touching your mouth, nose & eyes with your hands.  Wash them regularly.  If you have alcohol gel, use enough so there is a 10-15 second "contact time" (needed to inactivate the virus).  While your risk of the coronovirus is small, this will also protect from the regular flu (which according to CDC, killed 80,000 in the US in 2018).  

 

Masks are helpful because they can inhibit you from touching your face.  (and yes, N95s will filter the air.  However, much of the risk will likely be from your hand).

 

 

 

[Ruben von Zwack]

I hope you'll have a safe trip! In Germany, everyone returning from China is directly taken to a quarantine facility.

[Shelley]

Yes here (UK) they taking them to a designated NHS center for 14 days quarantine. Likely to be the same everywhere.

[abcdefg]

I"m prepared for a 2 week quarantine: I have a change of underwear and my Kindle. If the health authorities don't impose one, I will impose my own self-quarantine for 2 weeks. Only go out for essentials. Wear mask, wash hands, etc. Keep a contact diary. 

 

My plane leaves in a few hours. Will let you all know how it shakes out. Thanks for your support and suggestions. 

[Shelley]

@abcdefg Hope it goes well, keep safe.