One day of quarantine…I think my test is negative…

So government quarantine for Covid-19 is tolerable. I am at the Long Hui hotel in tianhe. To get here I was greeted at my apartment by a person in full containment gear. I’m glad I had an opportunity to pack things in advance. So what did I pack?

• Only about 4 days of clothes. They can all be washed in the sink it shower and I’m really getting multiple days out of them as I don’t get dirty
• Two pairs of workout clothes with foam roller and exercise bands
• A caftan I bought in Egypt. I seriously understand why my mom longer in them all those years
• Pajamas
• Travel underwear. My quick drying ones I travel with.
• My bag of travel essentials, toothpaste, etc. I always keep that packed
• Extra lotion. Most hotels in Asia don’t supply it.
• Detergent to wash
• A fan as the AC is not turned on. It would spread the virus if someone has it
• A mug and instant coffee. It is not supplied at all. I always grab extras from hotels just in case.
• Computer, SD card with workouts
• All chargers
• My diary. I’m behind on writing things down. Not that life is exciting. I don’t even know what day it is.
• My asthma inhaler. My nightguard.
• A container of leftover food as I was sure I would miss the dinner they served (I was right).
• All the raw veggies and fruit I had left in my frig. (Spinach, 2 zucchini, tomato, 2 cucumber, 3 plums, 1 Asian pear)
• Yam chips and protein muffins I had just made.
• A knife

Others have been in government quarantine when they arrived in the airport so I had already heard some of the recommendations of what to pack.

The worst part was the walk from the apartment to the ambulance. I’m not sure what the guy was saying but it wasn’t the standard coming through greeting. Once they saw him and me and whatever he said, people would look terrified with some running to get out of the way. Because the ambulance could not park outside my complex, we walked further than we should have and I felt like crying by the time I was in the ambulance.

We drove lights and air horn but not complete sirens. Once there they checked your information, checked to be sure they knew the countries you had visited and how long you had been back, took my temperature and gave me a room card. I then went to the front desk where they made copies of the passport and double checked info and room. From there I went to the room myself.

This is an older hotel but nicer than most old chinese hotels. It is larger.

The rooms have a chair outside that they put water and food on. There is a waste basket for my trash and another for medical waste. There are video cameras in the halls, etc.

The room is a bit stuffy. I have allergies and there is an old musty smell but not too bad. I opened the windows anyway. If there are mosquitoes I’ll have someone bring me an electronic zapper.

I knew the wifi was slow but I was having trouble with everything. I was frustrated and talking to Ryan on WeChat when he suggested using my US sim card. Since I use Google fi I only pay for the first 6 GB and the rest is free. That is about $80 but worth it. It is so fast and I can use my phone as a hotspot. Not only can I work on the free PD with the state of PA for certification but can also watch Netflix as a reward!

As I arrived after dinner I was sure I would not get tested until the next day.

That next morning I think they forgot about me as it was a new crew. I messaged a person who reached out to me when they knew I would be arriving. He is a friend of one of my friends and had been here a few days already. He was able to contact the office here and they brought me breakfast.  Steamed buns are the best! One of them had a nut filling that was amazing.

I was tested after breakfast and temp checks are at 10 am and 4 pm. I will not be given the results of the test unless it is positive and they take me to the hospital for 20 days instead.

I was finally given the WeChat group info so if we need anything we can message and get a response. My school is in continuing contact with me as well as many friends and I’m grateful. I’m glad to talk to family often.

Though they don’t do requests for meals, one of the office admin had been calling them often about me and told them I require vegetarian. They have done this for me so I don’t complain about anything about the meals.

I’ve had 4 meals and they have been pretty decent and normal Chinese fare. In the second wechat group just among foreigners here they order from international restaurants. It is possible because the contact I mentioned above is the owner of one of them. I was going to order if they could not get me vegetarian but now many restaurants are being forced to close. Not because of anything specific but more anti-international sentiment. Many Chinese places are packed routinely so hopefully they are closing some of those down too.

Regardless, some people are really asking too much. Having things delivered that are non-essential. I really feel they will stop delivering everything if people don’t start thinking. They will only deliver at two times a day. Some people were ordering bottles of wine. A waiver is to be signed for being able to drink and there was quite a tirade of messages. I know it is tough to be in here but I just think differently than most people. Not that I’m right but just think differently. There are many things we don’t need and life does not have to be that complicated.

I can live on the food I’m given. I could have lived without my phone being a hotspot. I had books I could read on my computer, etc. I was prepared for no internet if need be. I am grateful I have the ability to take this extra time and work on PD when I don’t have the pull and demands of being at school. I finished a 10 hour class the first day!

So a day and a half has gone by and they have not dragged me off to the hospital…. So the result must be negative!!!! That is great news.

If I’m here until the 26th (that is what is on my paperwork) and that last test can’t be used to go back to school (all teachers and students just be tested), then I won’t start school with the others on the 27th as it will take time to go get the testing and get the results back.

While I was writing this my friend brought me the bug zapper which is good since I am getting bit. The fan would be good but would just blow around hot air. We were able to wave and yell to each other with thumbs up. He just wants a beer for payment. Most definitely!!!