Suzhou Covid-19 Quarantine: Foreigners' Experiences

Two Months of Quarantine - Foreigners Share What it Was Like During Covid-19

Destination:ChinaCity:SuzhouPopulation:12.7 million
Two Months of Quarantine - Foreigners Share What it Was Like During Covid-19
James and Keli2020-04-0115 min

January 27, 2020 marks the first day of China's quarantine and March 20, 2020 was the day businesses finally reopened in Suzhou, China. We had our followers to ask questions about uncertainties they may have. We asked our friends that were also in China during this time to share their experience.

Stay tuned til the end to hear our friends Covid-19 poem.

Meet Our Friends: Why Did You Stay in China? Self Isolation VS Quarantine How Did The Public Respond to the Quarantine? Did People Mass Purchase? Were You in Mandatory Compound? How Did You Get Paid When the Schools Down? How is it in Public Now? Are the Streets Still Open? How Did You Keep Busy? What Was Your Daily Routine? What Was the Most Difficult Time You Experience? How Did You Stay Positive Even if You Couldn't See "The Light at the End of the Tunnel? Do You Wear a Mask Outside? Did You Get Covid-19? Do You Have Any Advice?

--- James and Keli
April 1, 2020, Spring in China

Video Chapters

  1. 00:47Meet Our Friends
  2. 01:15Why Did You Stay in China?
  3. 02:05Self Isolation VS Quarantine
  4. 02:52How Did The Public Respond to the Quarantine?
  5. 03:39Did People Mass Purchase?
  6. 04:15Were You in Mandatory Compound?
  7. 05:52How Did You Get Paid When the Schools Down?
  8. 06:25How is it in Public Now? Are the Streets Still Open?
  9. 07:14How Did You Keep Busy? What Was Your Daily Routine?
  10. 09:14What Was the Most Difficult Time You Experience?
  11. 09:45How Did You Stay Positive Even if You Couldn't See "The Light at the End of the Tunnel?
  12. 10:49Do You Wear a Mask Outside?
  13. 11:53Did You Get Covid-19?
  14. 12:18Do You Have Any Advice?

Foreigners in China share their COVID-19 quarantine experiences, highlighting diverse challenges and resilience during the lockdown. A heartwarming story of adaptation and community.

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

  1. Tip 1Stay at home as much as possible to protect yourself. If you do go out, wear a mask and try to maintain distance from others. Try to stay productive by focusing on hobbies or learning something new. Avoid constantly checking news reports to reduce anxiety. (12:22)
  2. Tip 2Try to find joy in your time at home. Pick up a new hobby or stick with your usual ones. Keeping busy and maintaining a routine can help you stay positive during isolation. (13:30)
  3. Tip 3Make sure you have internet access, consider getting a pet for companionship, and keep your living space tidy. Reading, writing, and other creative activities can help you pass the time. (14:00)
  4. Tip 4Avoid social media and focus on learning new things. Connecting with friends and family via phone or video calls is important for mental health. (14:44)

James and Keli's video captures the experiences of foreigners in China during the COVID-19 quarantine. From relaxed compounds to stricter self-isolation measures, the video offers a diverse range of perspectives. Discover how these individuals coped with lockdowns, maintained their well-being, and adapted to the ever-changing circumstances. A unique poem offers a humorous take on survival tips, adding a touch of levity to a serious situation. This is a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the human experience during a global pandemic.

More about the current video:( 5 / 46 )

Two Months of Quarantine - Foreigners Share What it Was Like During Covid-19

This video, created by James And Keli, documents the experiences of several foreigners living in China during the initial COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent quarantine. The video features interviews with individuals from various countries, including the United States, England, Australia, and even a resident of China. Each interviewee shares their unique perspective on the situation, providing a multifaceted view of the challenges and adaptations faced during this unprecedented time.

The experiences range from relatively relaxed self-isolation in Suzhou, where some individuals could still move around their compounds, to stricter measures imposed on others. The video highlights the diverse responses to the quarantine, from intense self-isolation to a more flexible approach depending on individual circumstances and location. It also touches upon the impact on employment, with some interviewees mentioning challenges in receiving full salaries due to school closures or changes in work arrangements.

Beyond the practical aspects of daily life, the video delves into the emotional toll of the quarantine. Interviewees discuss the difficulties of prolonged isolation, the strategies they employed to maintain a positive mindset, and the ways they coped with feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. The importance of maintaining routines, engaging in hobbies, and staying connected with loved ones are recurring themes. The video emphasizes the power of community support and the collective resilience demonstrated during this challenging period.

Adding a unique and humorous touch, the video includes a poem by one of the interviewees offering lighthearted tips for surviving quarantine. This segment serves as a reminder that even during difficult times, there's room for humor and creativity. Overall, James And Keli's video offers a compelling and insightful look at the human experience during a global crisis, showcasing the resilience, adaptability, and community spirit of those who lived through the initial COVID-19 quarantine in China.

FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)

Q: Why did you stay in China during the quarantine?
A: We had two cats here and leaving and potentially not being able to return didn't seem like a viable option at the time. Plus, our life, apartments, and jobs were all here.
Q: What were the quarantine measures like in Suzhou?
A: In the beginning, it wasn't strict, only for those returning from overseas. Later, they implemented self-isolation, but our compound was relatively relaxed compared to others. Some friends had curfews and needed IDs to enter their compounds.
Q: Was there mass purchasing of goods?
A: Not really. Grocery stores were fully stocked; the only thing hard to find was medical masks.
Q: How did you get paid when schools were closed?
A: It varied. Some schools paid full salaries, some paid per class, and some paid nothing at all.
Q: What was your daily routine like?
A: We tried to wake up around 8 or 9 a.m., work out, eat breakfast, read, watch Netflix, play video games, and then teach classes in the evenings.
Q: What was the most difficult part of the quarantine?
A: Probably the first six weeks when we couldn't go anywhere. It was difficult to not see friends and family, and to be confined to a small space.
Q: How did you stay positive?
A: We created a checklist of things to accomplish each day, avoided checking social media too much, and tried to find something fun to do every day. We also worked on some long-term goals.
Q: Did you wear masks?
A: Yes, we always wore masks outside, both to protect ourselves and because it was mandatory to enter many public places.
Q: Did you get COVID-19?
A: No, thankfully we didn't.
Q: What advice do you have for others?
A: Stay at home, protect yourself, wear a mask if you go out, try to stay away from people, and try to be productive while at home. Don't panic, stay calm, and obey the rules.

Suzhou Covid-19 Quarantine: Foreigners' Experiences

January 27, 2020 marks the first day of China's quarantine and March 20, 2020 was the day businesses finally reopened in Suzhou, China. We had our followers to ask questions about uncertainties they may have. We asked our friends that were also in China during this time to share their...

China COVID-19 Quarantine: Foreigners' Experiences

James and Keli, originally from Kansas, share their friends' experiences of China's COVID-19 quarantine in 2020. The video features interviews detailing daily life, public response, and challenges faced during this period. From self-isolation measures to the eventual reopening of businesses, viewers gain unique insights into a significant historical event. The emotional resilience and coping mechanisms of those interviewed are highlighted, offering a poignant and reflective perspective on a global crisis.