A blog reader from rural Maine, Arielle, wrote to me that my “reportage from life on the ground in China” gives her a sense of what to expect as COVID-19 spreads through North America. Many of you have expressed similar feelings, and I’m extremely happy to be able to provide some comfort to you in these difficult times.
It gives me purpose.
Arielle, now “sheltering in place” with kids at home, expressed interest in hearing stories from other people living in China under varying circumstances. After all, we live in different circumstances normally, so how the coronavirus pandemic impacts us will be different as well.
She wonders how older people, wealthy people, poor people, people with kids at home, and etcetera, are faring. How are their experiences of facing the coronavirus pandemic different based on varying factors?
I took a poll on social media to gauge how many of you would find stories like these helpful, too. An overwhelming number of you said you would.
So, in response, I asked friends and family from different provinces and living in various situations to share their experiences of self-quarantine in China.
Starting Monday, I will post a new story every few days.
Most will write their own stories (with some light editing of mine), but for those who cannot write in English, I will translate. (I’ll do my best to translate accurately without imposing my own interpretations, but forgive me if I do!)
Here are some scenarios you can expect in the coming week:
What’s it like to be quarantined…
- With a baby and in-laws and a company to run?
- While enduring a long-distance relationship?
- While running a guesthouse completely out of business and turning to spiritual exploration to get by?
To start off the series on Monday, my friend and New Jersey native, Eden, will share her story about how she overcame fear and frenzy and what it was like to be quarantined with her boyfriend, in the backdrop of Beijing.
When I asked my friends and family to share their experiences with you, they were enthusiastic. As it may be comforting for you to hear our stories, it is equally meaningful for us to share them with you.
Some stories might make you laugh, some might fog up your eyes, some might give you ideas for how to spend your time. Whatever it is, I hope you find bits and pieces from our experiences that resonate with you.
World, we are here for you.
What Should We Remember When the Coronavirus Pandemic is Over?
[…] been really excited to publish this post because it kicks off the series of stories told by other people who have lived through coronavirus quarantine in China and came out the other […]