Hey guys!! I’ve been getting an overwhelming amount of questions about the Coronavirus, and what I think about canceling trips / if you should risk visiting. I will not tell you what to do or not to do… because if something DOES happen, I will not be held responsible. What I CAN tell you is how you can protect yourself if you decide to come, and help provide resources for you to do your own research and make educated decisions. Another disclaimer… this is an actual virus that can be deadly, and you should take it seriously.

Summary of what happened and how it got to Japan

Coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China happened right before Chinese and Lunar New Year - the most popular time to travel! We know people can carry the virus for 2-3 weeks before showing any symptoms. By the time anyone realizes the severity of the virus, those infected are already traveling on planes, trains, etc… all over! (PS “EXPLAINED” on Netflix has a great episode called “The Next Pandemic Explained”… which came out in 2019 and weirdly predicts the Coronavirus outbreak, just sayin’). That’s pretty much how it spread to fast. More people traveling = more people coming into contact with the virus = more people infected.

World Health Organization says

SYMPTOMS: include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

PREVENTION: regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.”

Let’s spit some facts about it now:

People who are young, older, or have weaker immune systems are more likely to die from the virus.

According to the Scientific American, “Coronavirus has led to more than 20,000 illnesses and 427 deaths in China, as well as more than 200 illnesses and two deaths outside of mainland China. But that’s nothing compared with the flu, also called influenza. In the U.S. alone, the flu has already caused an estimated 19 million illnesses, 180,000 hospitalizations and 10,000 deaths this season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).”

GREAT RESOURCES FOR YOU TO CHECK

Here is another great article provided by Mil.gov discussing what providers and patients need to know about the Coronavirus!

List of what’s closed in Japan HERE.

What you should do to prepare for your trip (if you decide to come)

• TRAVEL INSURANCE!! Travel insurance does not always cover things like this.. IE “a new and rare x,y,z.” Read and understand your policies carefully so you know what you have rights to. (thank you @chiwilena for your help with this)!

• Get masks! You’ll need on average 1-2 a day (if you need an idea of how many to pack). I would link some, but amazon has the prices jacked up high *eye roll.* Masks are not going to guarantee you won’t get the virus, but it sure as hell helps. If someone next to me was sneezing and coughing.. no thanks. I’ll be in my mask! Something is better than nothing. Be sure you get plenty of them BEFORE coming. A lot of places are sold out or rationing how many you can buy at a time. You will ABSOLUTELY want them for the plane since it is all recycled air (yikes).

• DON’T TOUCH STUFF… seems obvious but you would be surprised what you touch not thinking about it. Keep your hands to yourself. Don’t put your hand on the escalator rails, stair rails, the rings (the things you hand on to over your head to stabilize yourself) on the train, don’t grab doors by the handle (unless you HAVE to obviously), don’t press elevator buttons - we used our elbows while traveling in Osaka. You can control what YOU touch out in public.. you can’t control if the person before you sneezes in their hand then grabs the poll on the train to stabilize themselves… then you come after them touching the same spot. Just don’t touch anything! You’ll be gucci my friend!

• Wash your hands with hot soap and water any chance you get! With that being said - carry around hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes! I would include those in your packing list so you’re prepared before coming, and don’t have the stress of it looming on you when you arrive.

• Take hot showers every day! I know that sounds so simple, but please do it :)

• Be overly mindful and careful about eating street food. Most restaurants are going to be more than fine. Japanese are really careful about cross contamination and cleanliness, but that doesn’t mean you can trust everywhere you go and eat (just like where you are probably from).

• Don’t wear your shoes inside. You will track so much bacteria inside! Take your shoes off at the door and leave them there.

• Don’t put your jacket, bag, scarf, hat on the ground. Always find somewhere to hang these things. Even when you get home - don’t put them on your bed!

From our experience, we have not had any issue. Our daily life has not been effected, other than we are not traveling. Ultimately it is up to you to make an educated decision on what to do. Either way, be safe!

If you have more questions, please leave them in the comments. Best of luck on your adventure, whatever you decide!!

-Caitlin