The World’s Gone Mad.

How is coronavirus affecting Japan? While the whole world is panicking, the Japanese are reacting in quite an interesting way.

As is well-known, people in Asia (including the Japanese) often wear medical masks. The reasons for this are many, and I wrote a whole post on it below if you are interested.

Related Post: Why Do the Japanese Wear Masks?

However, in plight of the recent outbreak of coronavirus, masks have completely sold out. At the first news of coronavirus, the Japanese flocked to the shops to stockpile as many masks as possible. So now, there are none left.

No More Masks? But Why?

Indeed! It seems that China is the main country that produces masks and exports them cheaply to other countries in Asia (Japan included).

Because Chinese exports have stopped, coronavirus is affecting Japan badly. Unfortunately, people trying to increase their levels of protection from infection are unable to do so.

Current Coronavirus Information

• The virus has so far taken the lives of 636 Chinese people and infected 31,161 others, according to the National Health Commission’s figures.
• Two people outside of mainland China have died (a Filipino and a Hong Kong citizen).
• It’s much like the flu and most people make a full recovery.
• Only those with previous health problems (the majority elderly) appear to have died so far.

Quarantine

There is currently a cruise ship harboured in Yokohama under quarantine. Yesterday, they announced that, of 273 people onboard that have been tested for coronavirus, 61 have contracted it.

There are a whopping 3700 passengers onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship. However, tests have not yet been performed on everyone. So, while the known total of virus sufferers is 61 people, there are likely more onboard.

The Japanese government plans to divide up the sick and send them to hospitals across 5 different prefectures. My best guess (because it’s not stated why) is that the infected Japanese people onboard wish to be sent to hospitals near their homes. However, I’m not sure spreading coronavirus across Japan is the best way to approach the situation. But yes, this is how coronavirus is affecting Japan.

Which Prefectures?

Being a Tokyo-dweller myself, I was pretty concerned when I learnt the details. The infected are being transported to hospitals in Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa and Shizuoka.

So, basically, every area surrounding me. Hooray! Gonna go and buy a scarf and wrap it around my face several times as there are no masks left.

Japanese Rescue Plan

The Japanese government also sent a rescue charter plane to the infected province in China to retrieve all Japanese citizens (and their Chinese spouses) from the area.

In a report released yesterday, it seems this was actually the fourth time. In total, four planes have returned 763 people to Japan. Of the 198 people that returned on the most recent plane, 12 were hospitalised for coronavirus treatment.

What Happens to Everyone Brought Back?

The retrieved Japanese/Chinese are currently being detained on the campus of a tax university in Wakou, Saitama: 税務大学校和光校舎.

After 12 days, they can return to their families in Japan if they show no signs of coronavirus. It’s certainly intriguing how coronavirus is affecting Japan in this way.

Would The UK Try So Hard?

Probably not.

Scary Stuff

So yes, coronavirus is definitely having a big effect on everyone in Japan. Indeed, it’s pretty much the main bulk of conversations nowadays.

I think that Japan’s large elderly population are particularly aware of the risks. In fact, I have heard of many holing themselves up at home, trying to avoid going out. But, I guess living in an ageing population, it must be pretty scary.

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How Is Europe Faring?

For all my friends and family back home, let me know how it’s going over there! Is it as terrifying to you as it is to the Japanese?

Drop me a comment and let me know.

All my love,

Jade xxx