Apr 13, 2020
State of emergency in Japan, keeping your distance
How is everyone getting on with being in a "state of emergency," (if you're in those area's of Japan that apply, or not)? I ask because, well, it could be good to share any frustrations, difficulties and concerns. Also, I'm curious to know how people are going about cutting down their contact with people to the 70 - 80% that Abe has asked us to do. Obviously staying inside is one way, but how are you going out to get fresh air, exercise and all that -- while the streets of central Tokyo have looked pretty empty, here in the suburbs it appears to be business as usual. Also, when you do the supermarket run, what's your "hand-washing strategy?" I mean, do you wash immediately after getting home and then unpack the stuff that you bought, or do you unpack everything first and then wash? Honestly, I'm not quite sure what's best to do in this regard. Oh, and if anyone's got any good "self-restraint" movies or TV shows that they would recommend, that would be much appreciated. I'm on Netflix ... and currently recommend Tiger King. Absolute madness!
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on Apr 13
Make Bisto gravy helps pass the time away, I still have a tub for you. LOL Otherwise do wash your hands immediately you get in. If you can take veg and fruit out of plastic wrappers and dispose of them. Wash veg and fruit before using. Once the shopping is packed away, wash again. Exercise is tough, you aren't going to get it surfing or paddle boarding, but is it worth the risk? I'm using a skipping rope, resistance bands and weights to keep fit. Paul
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on Apr 13
I sanitize my hands before shopping as well as the cart and basket best I can, then after I sanitize again on the way out. Then at home unload and then wash my hands. If it is on my shopping I haven't yet gotten to the point to wipe everything down, but I do get rid of as much outer packaging as I can. take plastic off veggies and cardboard off curry roux. The supermarket won't let us have our own bags/baskets anymore and there is now plastic barriers between cashiers and us. otherwise it really is business as usual. everyone is out and about. schools are only half days because that makes no sense.
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on Apr 13
I use the sanitizer at the store liberally on my hands, then on the cart and basket. When I get home, I wash my hands, then use alcohol wipes (the only ones I couldn't find are meant for cleaning the kitchen, so they're okay on outer packaging) on the food as I put it away and then wash my hands again. If you have a VPN, British Netflix has a bunch of Studio Ghibli (with English subtitles if necessary) which is how my family is getting by on entertainment these days. Also there are some good plays and operas available for free online these days if you search around a little. Normal, basic indoor workouts can work, but I still find it best to pick a TV show and do it like a drinking game. You can also do this with video games as a set workout for every time you die or miss a shot or complete a mission.
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on Apr 14
@edthethe I'm doing what you're doing - spray my hands and the basket handles at the entrance to the supermarket, spray again on leaving. Each time, wait until the alcohol dries from your hands before you pick things up. Some precautions I'm taking - Don't touch anything unless you're actually buying it. Idiot people are still rummaging through items, so don't you do it, too. You increase your exposure that way. Conbinis don't usually have alcohol spray. When I get in the door, I put my shopping down, and touch nothing until I can wash my hands. I cycle to do my errands. I ride on the roads, not the sidewalks, because people don't get social distancing yet.
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on Apr 14
I have been working from home already before corona, so I already only had little contact with anyway. But now I also avoid going out on weekends unless I really need to. To get fresh air I usually just go for a walk in a park nearby. Exercise is also something you can easily do at home. On youtube, there are a ton of home workout videos. If you have a pair of dumbells there are a lot of exercises you can do. For Netflix, I can recommend Lock and Key.
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on Apr 14
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on Apr 14
@STBSup - Probably better press pause on that gravy! Ha ha! I've been using kettlebells as part of workouts indoors - it's a work in progress.
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on Apr 14
@TonetoEdo - Thanks for the Open Culture suggestion. Got my eyes on a Beastie Boys documentary.
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on Apr 15
Whilst not one of the official prefectures in the state of emergency, we're still taking it seriously out here. Masks when we leave the house, hand sanitizer at the stores, I have a travel size one in my bag, and a pump pack in the car. We're handwashing like it's our job. The fresh air component isn't too difficult out here, thankfully. Would have been much harder when we lived in Tokyo, but the countryside certainly has its perks in a time like this. Haven't yet watched Tiger King but I feel like it's what everyone back home is talking about too. Gotta get on board with it myself soon!
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on Apr 15
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on Apr 16
Even though my prefecture is officially in a state of emergency, I haven't noticed much of a difference in my daily life. The only thing that recently changed are markers on supermarket floors and shortened business hours. Since I'm living in a share house I've been trying to be extra careful, because if one of us gets sick is quite likely that 30 other people will get sick too. So I always wash my hands as soon as I enter the house, wipe down the door handle to my room as well as disinfect my phone and laptop every day. But I highly doubt everyone in the house is doing the same...
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on Apr 17
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on Apr 17
@genkidesu - Welcome!
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on Apr 17
@Kanuba - Doesn't feel that much different, does it?! As you said though, since it was declared those markings did start to appear of the supermarket floor!
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on Apr 20
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on Apr 21
@genkidesu - It's a bit mad isn't it?! Where do they find these people? Anyway, perhaps best to get out while you can then, it only gets stranger!
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on Apr 23
We're getting there! Noda City, Chiba Prefecture businesses are increasing precautions. My local Seki Drugstore now has spray alcohol at the entrance. Max Valu, Jason supermarkets take IC cards such as SUICA and PASMO at the register. All the supermarkets now have markers on the floors for distancing. People are swerving each other, wearing masks. So shops and customers are getting the idea now.
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on Apr 23
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on Apr 27
@TonetoEdo that sounds like content my husband would enjoy - I'll share the link with him!
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on Apr 27
Just moved to Tokyo with my partner, and it was shocking how close people were at the cityhall waiting for paperwork to be done. Sure, spaces were blocked off so no one was sitting shoulder to shoulder, but still in a tiny confined space. We ended off just standing outside and rather face the wind than taking the risk. For movies, how about rewatching the entire Marvel movie series up to this point but chronological order? Can't imagine there be a better time.
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on Apr 28
@genkidesu By the way, Open Culture also has free MOOCs and language lessons. http://www.openculture.com/freeonlinecourses Either way, lots of resources for learners to make the most of time under the state of emergency.
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on May 23
We aren't in a state of emergency anymore here in Fukuoka, but it didn't seem all that different. I'm one of few teachers at the eikaiwa who doesn't use public transportation, so I go in as usual, sometimes for lessons with online students. We go out for walks a lot - all the gyms closed so my husband hasn't played badminton in months. I don't feel like I have any extra time for watching videos, sadly. All of this has been a little overwhelming so I'm spending a lot of time studying and working towards improving health. Honestly the most frustrating thing has been not knowing when it's gonna be possible to travel again and see family.
22 Answers