Dealing with the Corona virus

Dealing with the Corona virus

Having fun

Covid 19 has literally shut down day to day activities worldwide. Vietnam so far is one of the least infected nations and for very good reason. Upon discovery of the virus, Vietnam immediately suspended all flights out of China. As infections spread, Korea followed, and then many more. Today, virtually every country has closed its borders to international flights, moreover, many airports and airlines are totally shut down with only a few carriers and main transfer hubs open. Who could predict it would go so far and what is the world doing about it? Here are some differences between east and west. There is very good reason that Vietnam is one of the least infected countries in the world.

In February before anybody but China were reacting, The Vietnamese public transportation systems already were starting temperature checks for all people catching ferries, busses, trains, and aircraft. In addition, all arriving passengers in airports were checked. Those that arrived with a fever were sent in for testing before they had any chance of spreading infection. While other countries watched and people began hoarding, Asia was acting.

Banana flower

For us it started when we left on tour and arrived in Buon Ma Thuot. My regular hotel refused to take my booking over the phone because I was a Canadian. Hmmmmm. We arrived and on seeing it was me… their old regular, we were given rooms. Within half an hour, the health unit was there tracing the movements of all foreign visitors. It was a little complicated because of my limited Vietnamese vocabulary and the face that I was the guide and not a Viet, but I was able eventually to sort out our travel history. We were free to carry on…… for now.

 

boats idle

In the second week of March, 10 people entered Vietnam through a smaller airport that somehow allowed 7 British and 3 others into the general population. These individuals traveled to Danang and Hanoi before being tracked down in the process infecting some locals. was guiding a tour in the Central Highlands and had not heard this yet. We were somewhat perplexed when some local shops were waving us away when we wanted to make a purchase. I was becoming offended when walking down the street as the same people that usually would approach out of curiosity now were panicked to put on masks and hurriedly avoid me. Wha???

This is when on the droning corner loudspeakers that deliver the morning and evening news, (seems they are back after years of non-use) the announcements came. Luckily I was able to understand enough Vietnamese to get what was going on. . The media as they do in every country, jumped on the story and sensationalized it. “Beware” they warned. “Beware the unmasked foreigners”. The government followed up with an edict that there was to be no racism or prejudice towards foreigners, but it was too late.

We buzzed from Kon Tum to Quy Nhon on our little scooters. After reflecting on what I have seen and heard, I advised the others that we should begin wearing masks. A local Kiwi woman peeled

Till the feilds

up on her scooter and assuming we were tourists started advising us on the current news and what bars were good for us and what were closed. This did not matter to us but then she dropped the bombshell. There were no busses leaving town. Wow! This is big news… The government had taken the serious nature of the spreading virus to the next level. How were the trapped tourists going to travel? So many poor millennials were in Vietnam taking advantage of the discounted air fares.

I was becoming very concerned about how this would affect the rest of our trip as my flight out was for April 1 to Seattle. On to Tuy Hoa we adventured. I was able to calm the Vietnamese receptionist at the hotel that we were virus free and assured our night in a hotel. In the evening we went to Visit my friend Phuong who is the owner of Pizza Bob. (Formerly Bob’s Café American before he passed away) The staff seemed fine with us sitting there all evening, however, I did notice that families would arrive for dinner and would either distance themselves from us, or simply drive away concerned we were carriers. This is enough….. Time to return to Nha Trang where there are many foreigners and less fear. It was eerie….. There were indeed no busses on busy highway 1.

Walk down country lane

By mid-March, screening expanded to many places where the public gathered. There were security and police at shopping mall entrances doing fever checks and issuing surgical masks to any who did not have them. It was now a policy to wear masks anywhere the public gathered. To my shame, there were many westerners that were resisting this policy and it started causing anxiety among the local population. I was constantly wearing a mask and finally the others with me started doing the same. It helped. If nothing else, we got respect from the locals rather than fear and disgust at not following the nationwide rules.

Over the next few days I could see conditions worsening and warned my friends at morning coffee about the need to wear masks and consider what will happen if all the foreign tourists leave. They will be the only foreigners left in town and that may cause issues. Already friends are being denied restaurant service and accommodations where they have gone for 10 years. Familiarity seems not enough to counter the fear. Watching the news, I saw politicians for New York telling everybody to continue as normal as if they were immune to the global madness starting to emerge. Enough is enough! I considered just canceling my flight and riding the increasing panic in Vietnam but then thought about what I had said to my friends…….. Better leave earlier.
Within days I received notice that my flights were being rerouted to finish in San Francisco. Huh? No Way. I rebooked for one week earlier going directly to my home in Victoria. I was still able to contact my booking agent at this time and arranged a refund for the canceled flight. Things increasingly got worse and airlines started being canceled. After that global airports started closing. Canada is asking all overseas expats and travelers to return. I was starting to get flight change updates on my booked flight and that was enough to have me search for any departing flight earlier. I used an app called Hopper and found a flight departing on March 20… only 3 days away. Now no airlines or booking agents would answer phones, so I rebooked with the hope that I could refund my flight for 28th. In the end, Hopper canceled the flight last minute and hopefully I will be issued a refund. I flew to Saigon and met up with my friend Hau. The streets and restaurants were getting emptier. I flew out the next morning and here is where the story gets more concerning.

Flight home to Canada

In the morning I walked the short distance from my hotel to Tan Son Nhat International airport. I went through the now normal security and fever checks. The only issue was with a group of young adults arguing with security officials that they did not need to wear masks as if they were somehow immune. In the end, security provided masks and forced the issue. After security, they wore them on their chins or the top of their head. What an embarrassment to western society… Anyways. The flight was not over booked and there was enough room to have an empty seat between each passenger. Great!! We arrived in Hong Kong, received the regular fever check, and were passed for our flight transfers. Most people in the Hong Kong airport remained masked except a few westerners that seemed defiant. Then things became confused and concerning.

I entered the departure lounge where I was to pre check in with attendant counter. There was no security, no individual with a thermometer gun, and only a simple sign

Beers with Hau

written in English and Chinese asking 2 questions. Where you in any of these infected countries? (China, Korea, Iran, Italy, and a few others) The second was do you have a fever or cough? THAT’S IT!! OMG! Was my Air Canada flight to Vancouver not taking the spread of the virus seriously? For the first time I felt concerned with contact with others. Boarding presented us with a sign that in-flight services were being reduced. Huh? Not sure what services, but there were no blankets or pillows. Those few returning to Canada that were wearing masks were either wearing incorrectly or putting their hands underneath for various reasons. The Vietnamese would be horrified! Anyway…… It was time to board.

After being seated, I was absolutely shocked that everyone was put together with no spaces between them when there were many rows throughout the massive aircraft that were empty. As soon as the door closed, I was up and found a close by row with only a person on the far end wearing a mask. I took that seat. An Air Canada attendant seemed to have a minor issue with me not being in my assigned seat but got over it quickly. I probably caused a minor hiccup on the passenger count. Others were also

flight pretty empty

changing seats, and after takeoff…. It was a mad scramble. The person in my row had a constant sniffle, but no cough so I was not concerned. I did however, wipe disinfectant on all surfaces I even had a chance to come in contact with. Secure in my little isolated spot, I flew to Vancouver. I was actually impressed with the improvements on Air Canada since my past experiences years before. Sure the attendants were either old or visibly a minority of some kind, but that is the way of things in politically correct countries nowadays. I was NOT satisfied with simple precautions that should have been taken.

On announcement to landing, passengers are advised to remain in our seats after landing in order for a health unit to board and deal with an issue. Hmmmm. A heart attack? Perhaps something as serious? Nooo… We waited and about 5 minutes after boarding, an Arab family all masked was escorted off the flight. Perhaps they could not read English or Chinese on the signs boarding? Who knows, but my negativity on security practices was increased. On debarkation, there was no temperature check or questions. The airport was not too busy but everybody crowded into lines to clear security. Luckily I was one of the first and did not need remain in line more than a few minutes. After bag picked up, everyone was out into the hugging friends and family congregated in groups. I guess Canada did not get the memo. I continued to my internal transfer point concerned.

While I was in the air, an email was sent to me that my connecting flight to Victoria was cancelled and rebooked for the next day. I found this out when trying to catch my final flight. A family next to me were having the same issue and were being advised that Air Canada was not responsible for look after an overnight hotel and they would have to make arrangements themselves. Damn!! Are we not supposed to be going into self-isolation? These are families (and myself) returning from long overseas flights. After a very long flight, I was so exhausted that it was not possible for me to get angry or frustrated. I stood there as an attendant banged away at the computer trying to deal with my canceled flight. (More comments about this Air Canada employee following completion of this tale.)(1) I am asking zombie like “what’s going on? I have been flying for 30 hours, how can I self-isolate if I am required to find an overnight hotel in Vancouver somewhere?” After 10 minutes of viciously attacking his keyboard, Peter Friesen rewards me with a flight boarding in 10 minutes. “You can make it” he declares and with a heart wished thank you, I somehow came up with the energy to run pulling a bag.

Introductions

Nobody seemed to be practicing any caution or awareness of the virus that has the East so shut down. I made it to the gate with little time to spare and was placed on a very crowded flight to fly 15 minutes to Victoria. Beside me was one of the only masked people on the aircraft. I did my routine disinfecting and settled in for the last flight. I have arrived in Victoria…. Woo Hoo!! I will have to find my way home somehow. Again there was no temperature checks and people hugged and kissed. I knew a couple on the flight but would not bother them for a ride as distancing myself is still a priority. After all left the airport, there was just me and curiously, the masker person I sat beside and talked with during the flight. She was renting a car and I thought it a good opportunity. At the rental counter, I offered to pay for a ride into the city. She replied that she did not know me and would not give me a ride. Oh Yea…… Welcome back to Victoria where people are very stand offish… So I waited for the local bus.

I only had a bag and a backpack so it was supposed to be a simple transfer. I had dinner waiting and looked forward to seeing my loving wife. To my surprise, busses were free and only loading through the rear doors… Good on you Victoria Transit. At least you are practicing some simple precautions. After a short ride, I transfer onto the bus to get me home. On my short walk to the condo, I get this sense of gloom. Where is my backpack containing my money, keys, but more importantly, my Vietnamese id? Dear God! I left it on one of the busses. So much for dinner. On the phone to transit, I was told that I would have to wait until Monday (3 days) to contact lost and found. I tried to convince the operator of the importance of finding this backpack but she was not willing to help more. I used to work with transit and understood there were ways that she could have helped me and I called again an hour later getting a person that was willing to help. I drove About 60 km in total chasing the bus that I left the pack on and in the end, an inspector met me with backpack in hand 25km away from my condo. THANK YOU VICTORIA TRANSIT! At 9 pm I am finally home for dinner.

Now I am in day 9 of self-isolation. There are people that are wary of me and my wife to the point of me getting angry. I do not have or carry the virus. I am from one of the safest countries to be

Air Canada sign

at this time. I self-isolated the moment I had to catch a flight home and have kept sanitized and isolated the whole way. It is they that are not practicing cautionary common sense…. But whatever…… Things have changed…. The same politicians that said don’t worry are now crying about the epidemic in New York… Hypocrites… People here are only starting to distance themselves and use sanitizers. Anybody with any sense of false authority are creating edicts on how you can behave and run your life going beyond common sense and practice to absurdity. In a way I wish I could ship my whole family to Vietnam where is more sane. And how serious it Canada about the real threat? The last of our returning group has just arrived in Qatar and is commenting about how in transferring to his flight to Canada………….. ABSOLUTELY NO HEALTH CHECKS! He is lucky though…. I just received word that Vietnam has closed most internal flights effectively isolating each city. Some might say that Vietnam is communist and that they can force these things on Vietnamese society. That is not true. It is the Vietnamese people themselves that voluntarily wear masks and submit to temperature checks with the assurance that if they have a fever, they will be checked and housed in quarantine by the government if tests prove positive. I finish this blog with a question. What are we doing and is it enough?

(1) I wish to offer a heartfelt thank you to Mr. Peter Friesen. He was the Air Canada employee who saved my sanity on my final transfer home. Without his help I would have been stranded in Vancouver with nowhere to stay and a tired misfiring mind. In our short conversation, he expressed an interest in returning to Vietnam with a less touristy experience and I will be happy to include him when I next return. I tried very hard to find somewhere online in which I could post a commendation for your assistance and professionalism, but it seems Air Canada does not have a visible way to do that. Only a complaint line…….. Huh…..

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4 thoughts on “Dealing with the Corona virus

  1. Good story, Owee.

    I have no reason why I looked you up. Nostalgia perhaps. About 8 years ago I went on one of your tours, just you and me on a bike, to the hinterland of Vietnam. It was a great trip, and I was impressed by your knowledge of what a traveller wants. I stayed at the Tide Hotel, too. I was living in Hanoi at the time.

    It’s concerning to see how the Vietnamese turned on you and other foreigners. It happened here in Australia as well with some rather unpleasant and shameful racism against people who look Chinese in origin.

    I actually stopped by Hanoi a couple of years ago and was dismayed at the changes to the country; it seems the Asian countries want to be Singapore now.

    Anyways, cheers for the memories and good luck in Canada.

    1. Well hi there. I remember our trip. I miss those days. I agree that there have been a lot of changes, and not all for the good. I still try to host tours once or twice a year but sadly, those same motorcycle trips I enjoyed hosting so much destroyed my shoulders. Now I can only do by car. I try to return at least once a year with a group but fate has it that it might not be possible this year. Thanks for the memories.

  2. Good to know that you’re ok. I visited Bob’s in Tuy Hoa for pizza. I’ll have to see if I took any photos. Sad to hear. I read about a Canadian flight that had an outbreak in the Guardian. Many of the stories out there are scary. Andrew

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