Taking Care in China
A phrase I’m hearing a lot from family and friends overseas is “Take care”. Well, we are taking this literally, and here’s the list:
Wearing gloves when outdoors.
Changing gloves after use, and washing them.
When in public, not touching our faces or eyes, even when they itch.
Wearing face masks when outdoors.
Limiting personal contact with others, including shaking hands or hugging.
Keeping at least one metre away from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Washing all towels twice a week, and ensuring none are ever left damp.
Limiting touching objects that could be handled by other people.
Not sharing food communally, and washing kitchenware between meals.
Opening windows every day to let the room air out.
Apart from “Take care”, the other phrase that has new meaning for me is “I’m being very OCD”. I’ve always avoided this throw-away expression, since it must enrage people who actually suffer from these anxiety afflictions. But for once I feel like I do have a small window into this exhausting life, one that could easily make you want to eschew society entirely. I’m grateful for this lesson in empathy towards those who live this as a perpetual reality.
For the Facebook version, see here.
For the Instagram version, see here.
For the LinkedIn version, see here.
