Elbows returns from SARS ridden SE Asia

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

That’s right, I have just returned from 6 wks in SE Asia.

And oh what a fabulous time I had relaxing on a beautiful beach on the Andaman sea. It was just what I needed, I was brown as a bean. I confess I was actively ignoring world affairs in favour of a more relaxed holiday, so while I knew a tiny bit about Sars, it was vague.

Then I returned to Singapore and got caught up in it all. Though I did get designated the Lucky Auntie as the schools were closed the day I returned.

Then when I tried to get home which should have been the first, Mr Elbows got a call that if I returned to my home my bedridden mother in law’s home care would be withdrawn for ten days and her upcoming visit to the nursing home ( 3 wks, short stay, a break for the Elbows) would be impossible. ( I’d arranged this before I left, arg). So I was faced with either staying on 10 more days where I was, or coming back but not coming home.

Each day more flights were cancelled, the journey home went from 26 hrs to 35 in a few days! And the situation in Singapore went from bad to worse.

If I came home and stayed with a friend they’d have to observe the quarantine period, 10 days. How to come back to your hometown after 6 wks away and not see your family and friends?
I knew I couldn’t do 10 days.

In the end I split the difference stayed an extra week then flew home. Bit of a nightmare the journey back, not to mention being treated like a leper.

Stayed in a hotel for two nights and tried my best not to feel poxy.

But now, at long last, I am in my own home again, and though I’m not supposed to be seeing lots of people or going to crowded places, I’ve seen one friend and just to be home with Mr Elbows and the pets well, it’s glorious.

2

Me too. I was one week in BKK, but missed the luxurious shores of the Andaman sea, sadly. Were you in Phuket or somewhere southwards?

I flew through Changi both ways and it actually seemed more relaxed on the return flight. I’m still afraid to cough on anyone, though.

About six more days to go on my incubation period, by my best guess.

3

I was at Koh Lanta, but the delay leaving Singapore means I have lost a lot of my tan.

I went briefly to Koh Samui, which I had not visited in 10 years. I was stunned by the change and shifted to Lanta after 4 days!

I am amazed at how much information they were getting about SARS in SE Asia and how little I see here. When I was unsure which way to turn I sought out the Straight Dope board thinking there’d be some discussion or something but there was nothing. I knew I couldn’t post from my friends computer but thought I’d tune into the discussion and maybe learn something. Maybe I missed it.

Eclipsed by the war I suppose.

4

there is a few threads, including this one

5

I just returned from Beijing and my experience was the opposite. I found the Chinese news sources remarkably closed-mouthed about SARS including the number of outbreaks and their locations.

OTOH I found a lot of hysteria here, as I’ve mentioned in other threads.