The epidemic in China has struck fast and hard. It was only 2 weeks ago I was off traveling in north China and hadn't yet even heard of it. Every day now there are huge changes going on. I took the above photo and the one below at a local Beijing mall several days ago and I thought how odd that the store clerks are all wearing masks.
Then just a day or so later subway security wearing hazmat suits started taking passengers' temperatures before allowing them on the trains.
The timing of the epidemic couldn't be worse. It was estimated there would be around 3 billion trips in China during the weeklong Chinese New Year in late January. And it's estimated that around 5 million people had already left Wuhan (the huge city in central China where the epidemic began) before the government locked down that entire central region of about 60 million people.
Many large New Years festivals were planned throughout China for the last week in January, but most of them have been cancelled. Almost all major tourists sights in Beijing are closed indefinitely, and even Hangzhou's famous West Lake, which draws tourists from around the world, has been shut down. This is a huge park complex of about 2.5 square miles.
Almost everyone in Beijing wears masks now when out in public, some wearing protective eye covering as well.
It's not easy, but I've managed to find some Beijing attractions still open.
Beijing Starbucks employee taking a customer's temperature. To enter you must have your temperature taken, wear a mask, and wash your hands with the antibacterial they provide.
Beijing has countless huge housing compounds. This one in my neighborhood recently had its entrance blocked off.
I noticed today another housing compound in my neighborhood now has security posted at the entrance and you have to have your temperature taken before you can enter.
During my 3 1/2 years in Beijing I've never seen the subway trains so empty. Normally they're almost always packed.
Having a cruise in Beijing's huge and now desolate Chaoyang Park.
I can't stand being inside all the time, so I put together a kit I take with me when I venture out:
1. protective mask
2. thermometer (subway security now takes your temperature before they let you board a train. I hear
the magic # is 37.3C (99.1F) . I do not want to find out what happens to me if I'm found to have a fever above that so I always take my temperature before entering a subway station to make sure it's normal.
3. My passport. In case I am caught with a fever, I'd flash that then try to depart quickly.
4. Alcohol wipes for my hands.
5. Guidebook and map for trying to find places that are still open in this city.
Lately the air has been unusually bad in Beijing. It should be good now because almost nobody's working, the factories are shut down, and there's very little traffic. When I go out I'm not sure if I should wear a pollution mask because of the crappy air or a surgical mask for protection from the virus. In any case, probably a moot point because likely I'll soon be leaving China. Terrible to have it end like this - - though it has been a great experience living and traveling in this fascinating country.
