Corona Virus

 As I'm sure people have heard, the big news at the moment in South Korea is the corona virus going around. The initial panic seems to have subsided, but there's still plenty of concern about what will happen as the virus plays out. Here have been some of our experiences.

This is a mobile phone alert about hand washing and using a face mask and staying in contact with health services. We've had three of these so far.

There are also signs up along the roadway as additional reminders. This one also reminds you to wash your hands and cover your mouth and nose. And gives you numbers to call for information and/or help.

Two less serious warnings I've had came from people with less-than-expert opinions. My Korean tutor told me that I should avoid the main mall in Pyeongtaek, since the one person in the city who had the virus went through the mall just before he came down with symptoms. My Filipino housekeeper also warned me not to open my windows to let in fresh air because "the virus might come in." :-)

Last week I went up to a hospital in Seoul for a routine check-up (almost all doctor's offices are inside hospitals here). Before I could make the appointment I was asked more than ten questions about whether I had been in China, had contact with anyone who had been in China, whether I had visited any other health clinics, etc. At the hospital itself they were in all-out prevention mode. As soon as I walked in the door my temperature was checked, I was made to sanitize my hands and put on a face mask. My temperature was checked two more times before I even saw the doctor. Once at the entrance to the clinic and another time while sitting in the waiting room. Unfortunately, I my temperature was slightly raised (who knows why!) so I got checked one more time before leaving. I was let go since I had no other symptoms.

While I was in the doctor's office the nurse reminded me to wear my face mask at all times. I find it a bit hard to breathe with those things on so I had pulled it down off my nose. That was not acceptable, apparently.

One benefit of all this to me personally, however, was that people are cancelling many of their appointments at the hospitals. That meant I could see an orthopedic surgeon a week earlier than I would have otherwise been able to. I am very grateful for that, at least!

The Americans in our area appear to be much less concerned than the Koreans about the virus, but I did see this sign up in the base post office yesterday.

I guess a few people are worried!  :-)