Feb 14, 2020
How concerned are you about the new coronavirus?
So it seems that Japan has confirmed its first death from the new coronavirus - a Japanese woman in her 80s from Kanagawa Prefecture who had not travel overseas, according to media reports. I was just wondering how people on here are feeling about the new coronavirus and being in Japan at this time? I've seen a couple of interesting posts on the matter from people here (URLs below) Coronavirus and health in Japan - https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/genkidesu/w5la9-living_medical_health Do you need that mask? - https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/TonetoEdo/MgXbd-living_noda_shi_chiba I've also seen content on other sources dealing with whether or not it is safe for travelers to come to Japan at this time (although the sources have been far from authoritative). Anyway, on my part I suppose I'm a little concerned but it doesn't seem to be shaping my day-to-day life here in Japan, although I do use the alcohol hand wash upon entering / leaving the office. I don't use a mask. Maybe I should or maybe the effect is negligible. For me it's hard to know. There doesn't seem to be a clear and authoritative voice on how effective the masks are, which bothers me when shortages are resulting in them being sold online for exorbitant prices. At times like this though, I often find it helpful to hear the opinions of others so I'd appreciate any comments and concerns in this thread. No scaremongering though.
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on Feb 14
I am not particularly scared. I am healthy and in my 30s so my risk of dying from pneumonia can be considered quite low. Also, Japan has a decent health care system. General methods to prevent infections like washing hands, disinfection etc. are good and should be taken anyways. If people think Japan is unsafe right now then they are not safe anywhere because there are all kinds of viruses all over the world that could possibly lead to infections.
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on Feb 14
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on Feb 14
Not overly concerned here, apart from when I hop online and read the news. I don't think it's a big deal in the countryside, but if I was in Tokyo and catching public transport daily I may feel differently about it all. I think I'm less concerned for me as a grown adult, but more for my kids! Feeling for all those people stuck in quarantine on the cruise ship in Yokohama...
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on Feb 14
The latest news indicates that Covid-19 is here. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/02/13/national/science-health/tokyo-taxi-driver-coronavirus/#.XkZL_crqahA I’m not particularly worried about catching it, but I resigned to disruption to work and transportation if it becomes a crisis. I’m also not booking any flights abroad for now. It’s not that I’m worried so much about getting infected as having my return delayed or prevented if the situation escalates.
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on Feb 15
I also have to add that being involved in a travel-based field right now, I've already received numerous messages from potential customers asking if it's still okay to travel to Japan. People in other parts of the world seem to have a genuine concern about whether or not they should come here for their vacations, which makes me wonder about how the Olympics are going to fare if the coronavirus concerns stick around.
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on Feb 15
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on Feb 16
@TonetoEdo - Good point about the flights. Hadn't really thought about that until you mentioned it.
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on Feb 16
@genkidesu - That's interesting to hear. I guess Japan's numbers can be a little missleading at first glance though, until you read that the vast majority of cases are on that cruise ship off of Yokohama.
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on Feb 19
Hi, late to the party and a couple of things have to come to light since you posted this question. But... I am actually less scared now than I was at the end of January. The main reason is I've stopped reading random articles about it. I have a few trusted sources I read and leave at it that. Plus I actually saw a really good discussion about it on Japanese lunch TV the day before yesterday. Incredibly they were not sensationalizing it, in fact the opposite. The biggest positive I took out of it is that, for current statistics, 80% of the population get nothing worse than a cold when infected by the virus. Unfortunately I can't remember the break down for the remaining 20% but it was something like 16% get a nasty dose and 4% get a severe case that requires hospitalization. I don't want to know the death rates, so I tuned out for that. Another thing is that, by and large, it is not affecting kids much (fingers crossed that remains the same) and those that have got it have recovered from it. Because more than myself I worry about my kids. As for travel; the reason I wouldn't travel right now is I would be afraid I might be carrying it without symptoms and could pass it to people on the plane or back at home. I am actually meant to be travelling soon - waiting to see how it pans out before making a final decision.
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on Feb 20
@Saitama that's such reassuring info to hear...my biggest concern about it all has been my kids, so your comment has let me breathe a little. I think what you said is right, if you just step away from the news it doesn't seem so bad! The media gets clicks from sensationalist stories and headlines so I think your approach is right - just don't read it!
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on Feb 20
@Saitama - "The main reason is I've stopped reading random articles about it," always a sound policy when it comes to things like this. I remember when Typhoon Hagibis hit last year and people on Twitter were hashtaging #prayforJapan into their posts of videos that were actually somewhere in China or Taiwan from years ago.
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on Feb 22
Not that I have had any plans to go into really populated areas like Tokyo, but I do have my concerns about my kids getting sick as well as myself. I have a weakened immune system and children getting pneumonia is scary but there isn't much that I can do aside from going to the doctor if any of us gets sick. I don't wear masks but I do wash my hands as often as possible.
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on Feb 22
@Tomuu Be careful to get your info from real sources. Hagibis was devastating to many communities for an extended period, and only local bloggers and news sources had real info about the impact. My main concern about COVID-19 is transmission. The moment I start to show upper respiratory infection (URI in doctor parlance), I'll mask up and stay away from people. The biggest worry is transmitting the virus to vulnerable people like the elderly or those who already have medical conditions.
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on Feb 26
Now the latest I've heard is that the IOC is contemplating cancelling the Olympics if the coronavirus isn't under control by May. Sources: https://www.businessinsider.com/tokyo-olympics-coronavirus-control-cancellation-2020-2 https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/25/coronavirus-tokyo-games-ioc-member-says-more-likely-to-cancel-than-move.html I can't imagine how that's going to go down, and the impact it's going to have on the economy. I have to stop reading the news...it's such a bleak outlook right now.
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on Feb 26
While I’m somewhat concerned about the virus itself, at this stage I’m more concerned about the real possibility of cities being put into lockdown here as is happening in other parts of the world and chaos that would cause with food shortages in supermarkets etc. Hokkaido elementary & junior high schools are all losing from tomorrow and there is talk of starting the spring break early throughout Japan. Another concern is how little Japan did to prevent the spread of it here - not tracking cases etc. The official numbers for Japan just can’t be believed.
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on Feb 27
@genkidesu - Well, I've read that a London mayoral candidate has said the city is ready to step up and host the games if needed. Not sure how ready the British taxpayer is though!
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on Feb 27
@JapanExpert - You just know that the sliced white bread will be the first to go!
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on Feb 28
@Tomuu yes, I can't say I blame them... these events are expensive. Not to mention all the logistics that go into an event of that size and scale. Really hoping that it doesn't come to it being cancelled. From what I've read, it's basically like the show goes on, or it's cancelled - no room to postpone. I guess we'll know by May, either way.
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on Mar 17
19 Answers