It’s been about a month since I started to worry about coronavirus. I have some friends in Shanghai, Canton, and Hong Kong in China, so I was hearing about it from them. Then when 春節, Chinese new year started around Jan 23rd, I posted on my facebook and blog, that the Japanese government should stop flights from China for now, but they didn’t, and they still can come except for two regions.
I am living in Japan. I’m teaching Japanese on italki. I feel very disappointed how the Japanese government reacted for the coronavirus for now.I guess there’s some reasons why the Japanese government haven’t stopped people entering from China. 1. The Tokyo Olympics, 2. Official visit of Xi Jinping planed in spring, 3. “human rights”
1 and 2 are in the due to bad timing. Because of these two, I guess they didn’t have a choice. 3. is a strange reason, but there’s some people who say “we should not discriminate against some people” but it’s the infection. The most important thing is to not spread it anymore.
I really hope politicians around the world use true leadership in this hard situation, and I really hope this coronavirus thing goes away as soon as possible.
Online Japanese lessons, Tours in Kyoto, and Podcast.
Akari Talks Japan 
Hello Akari,
You are correct to be concerned about the poor JP government response to the coronavirus outbreak. We are facing a similar situation here in the States. Singapore and Taiwan seem to have the best response and medical care right now. They learned from past epidemics and they have been transparent with citizens about the coronavirus spread and the government response.
Don’t expect much change in the JP gov approach unless they allow infectious disease experts to take the lead. It might be better for you to focus on preparing yourself, friends and family for local quarantine and cancelation of mass events and local travel. During quarantines, it may be difficult to go out shopping. If possible, do some shopping now while you can and stock up on dry goods (rice, aduki beans, seaweed, dried fish, dried fruit, toilet paper, bleach, soap) that will last 2-3 weeks of being stuck at home. If I recall correctly, you live with several other women. Now might be the best time to talk to all your roommates and develop a plan for keeping the apartment disinfected and what to do if someone gets sick.
Here is a good summary of the information we need to know.
This article also provides encouragement to assume that quarantines at home will happen.
https://virologydownunder.com/past-time-to-tell-the-public-it-will-probably-go-pandemic-and-we-should-all-prepare-now/
If I find something more, I’ll share it.
Stay safe!
(^_^) Ajay
From: Akari Japanese
Reply-To: Akari Japanese
Date: Sunday, February 23, 2020 at 1:40 AM
To: Ajay Polite Machines
Subject: [New post] Coronavirus… please go away.. (report from Japan)
akarijapanese posted: ” It’s been about a month since I started to worry about coronavirus. I have some friends in Shanghai, Canton, and Hong Kong in China, so I was hearing about it from them. Then when 春節, Chinese new year started around Jan 23rd, I posted on my facebook and “