Under The Weather

Well, getting sick in China sucks.

As part of our training, Shmatteris (I found out that my contract forbids me from using my company's real name in any "outside media outlets) took us on a retreat to a summer camp in the New Territories up north.* We were promised two days of team building, activities, outdoor adventures, etc. I was really looking forward to it, but shortly after we arrived, I began to feel under the weather (BLOG POST TITLE ALERT!!!!).

I started sneezing constantly, developed a sore throat, and felt just crappy in general. These are three of the main early indicators that one could be coming down with Swine Flu. Shmatteris told us to let them know if we were feeling ill so they could isolate us and prevent Swine Flu from spreading. Due to an intense fear of being placed in Chinese quarantine, however, I didn't want to say anything. But as I continued to sneeze and failed to get better, I noticed my fellow trainees noticing me, so to speak. I realized that if I didn't say something, someone on leadership probably would. So, like a good little CNET, I told my bosses that I was feeling sick.

My mom is probably reading this and saying out loud to no one in particular, "I TOLD HIM OVER AND OVER THAT HE SHOULD GET THE FLU STUFF BEFORE HE LEFT AND HE DIDN'T LISTEN." Well mom, here's the the thing: I didn't have Swine Flu.**

I could go on a rant about how as of yet, there's really no difference between Swine Flu and other strains of flu other than its rapid spread. And while I'd be right, I think the bigger problem is that people in China seem to forget that it's possible to get sick and not have Swine Flu. One could argue that preventing this disease from spreading is a good thing, but I think that maybe China's gone a little overboard.

By quarantining people with even slight indicators of carrying N1H1, China has created fear where none is necessary. You get sick, it lasts a couple of days, then you get better. It's kind of like getting the flu. But people are terrified of getting quarantined, so they become terrified of getting ill. What's worse, this fear of quarantine prevents people from taking preventative actions such as seeing the doctor.*** Why? Even though I probably only needed a little amoxicillin, my director told me that if she took me to the doctor, I'd most likely be taken into quarantine. Great.

So what happened? Shmatteris moved me from the bunk I was staying in with nine other guys into a smaller, moldier, isolated room. I had to wear my mask at all times (This really sucks. I kept breathing in the same hot, smelly, diseased air over and over again.) I wasn't allowed to touch the big plates of food; it had to be served to me. I needed to have my temperature checked three times a day. I didn't go to the doctor and eventually got better, but I spent the two days fairly isolated from the group during the time we're all supposed to be getting to know one another. Also, the food sucked and I got bit by about thirty different bugs.

Me, in my mask back when I still thought it was funny (not at camp)

In conclusion, camp was sooooo much fun! I had the best time ever you guyz!!!!



*The New Territories are considered part of Hong Kong, but they're mostly connected to mainland China.

**My illness had something to do with any combination of jetlag, the poor air quality, the entire camp being built on a mountain of mold,**** and coming down with a minor bug.

***Granted, I'm can only really speak for myself, but I like to think of myself as your typical Joe Chinaman. I thus believe my feelings to be fairly universal.

****Seriously, look at the mold in the bathroom. They don't have drains in the floor! Water just stays there. Throw in the humidity, and you have a perfect breeding ground for mold, insects and disease. This is bad news for someone with allergies.

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.