Job Discussion Forums

[David Bowles]

It's been a while since I've seen anything new on the most celebrated illness since the last big one...
How is it out there? Is it still a case of quarantining people in schools, spraying everything in sight, and general hysteria? I wanted to teach in China this summer, but have put plans on hold- not from the threat of catching SARS, but because China's not looking that fun as long as it goes on. Are things calming down yet, and can you guys out there let us know when they do?
Happy everyday
David

[Roger]

The best source of information is still the international media, mate, not China. Even though wse are right in the middle of Sarsland, we don't know too well what is happening. TOday, for example, I entered our school, and while the nurse was sitting at the gate, she failed for the first time in a week to touch my forehead (to "feel" my body temperature).

I read in the South China Daily (aka SCMP) that the disease has reached the vast agrarian hinterland of coastal China, which means it is now out of control (has it ever been under control before?).
At the same time, I received a newsletter from a consultant that listed hospitals with supposedly English-speaking staff that have been designated quarantine stations.

It is true - most of us are symptom-free and go about our daily lives as usual. Yet when travelling we encounter roadblocks and stumbling-blocks, and we don't always know if we come back in time (or whether we get quarantined for up to ten days).

The biggest loser is the economy, with hotels closing, airlines cancelling routes, trade fairs rescheduling or cancelling, schools closing and many training centres shutting down for lack of custom!

One dramatic sign of bad times: The Canton Trade Fair, which last year saw business deals clinced to the tune of US$ 20 million this year just sold 4.6 million worth of goods.

[hubei_canuk]

We all know nothing, did know nothing, will know nothing.
If you need any answers just read the China Daily.
Any China Daily, any issue from any day, any month, any year.
Situation normal.
...
Any more questions?
We love to help.

[dishuiguanyin]

Lots of small, family-run businesses are going under too. Small shops and restaurants, especially those that depend on students for custom, are becoming increasingly desperate. (Since the students are confined to campus.) Shuttered and closed doors line the street into town.

All discos and bars have been closed since before May Day, apparently on orders from above. They don't seem to be opening any time soon. (Foreign teachers have been reduced to drinking beer in a foot massage parlour - don't ask.)

An almost-tastefully furnished and definitely expensive KOK bar near us burnt down today, one of our teachers watched it happen. We suspect an insurance scam - though I've never heard of PICC paying out before. Have you?

[kimo]

In my area, the worst hit place in Beijing, daily life activities have picked up. More people are shopping and less are wearing masks. But, things are not normal. Or maybe they are and that scares me a bit. For example, on a lark I hopped in to my local XinBaKe (Starbucks) for a coffee. Nobody was there so I thought "great". Within two minutes people saw me and started pouring in and of course they all had to sit next to me. I was not heartened to see one guy cough once without covering his mouth. In fact, he was having a conversation on his mobile and laughing about FeiDian (SARS). Jerk. This type of behavior makes me think that this thing will not just go away even if the numbers here are declining. And as Roger said, it's probably established itself in the hinterlands land now. I predicted this some time ago.

Maybe I am a pessimist. I would wait. Go to Korea or dig ditches this summer.

[Roger]

Good news via the CHINA DAILY:
]
SPITTING IS NOW ILLEGAL IN GUANGZHOU, and anyone caught doing it will be fined!

Now the chopsticks and communal eating bowls should disappear next...

[hubei_canuk]

Death Penalty for SARS Patients!!
----------------------------------------
(and they laughed at my predictions. A shot in the head will teachem real good!)
PS "resisting quarantine" can be liberally applied to all and sundry as they are subjective judgements. This is the problem of all such laws, is that they might seem reasonable on the books, but if they rely on sujective judgements they can be easily abused..
..................................
BEIJING (Reuters) - China has said it will execute or award a jail sentence of up to life imprisonment for anyone violating quarantine and intentionally spreading SARS...

"Intentionally spreading sudden contagious disease pathogens, endangering public security or serious personal injury, death or heavy loss of public or private property will be punishable by from 10 years to life in prison or the death penalty," the state agency said.
========================================

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=586&ncid=586&e=6&u=/nm/20030515/wl_nm/crime_sars_china_dc

[kathleen]

I think things will not get back to normal for another 5 weeks and that is only if we go 20 days without a new case. I don't trust the numbers being published. I think it's very easy to not report certain deaths as SARS deaths, just old people dying of regular pneumonia.

The point is, it's just not as much fun here now, too many restrictions. I assume this is your first trip to China??? I hat eto see you have a bad expereince.

BTW Canuk finally really made me laugh with his comments about The China Daily.

[hubei_canuk]

[Owen]