CORONAVIRUS: American Long-Term Residents Fare Better in Japan

There is a world-wide panic due to the spread of the coronavirus.

In Japan, where I currently live as an English teacher, Prime Minister Abe has recently ordered all public schools to close in attempts to prevent a mass contagion.

I work at a private school network, so following these orders is optional; I'm asked to continue coming into work. Parents are being told school is open but they're not obliged to bring their kids to school.

Some parents don't have a choice; they work and the kids can't stay at home.

Where I work, schools are taking precautions, asking children and visitors to first disinfect their hands with an alcohol-based solution.

All major events like assemblies and year-end recitals have been cancelled, which means the children go to their classes, consisting of about 30 students each, prepare for and take their final exams and go straight home.

The teachers have worked very hard for their classes for their year-end recital, so at least where I work, each class is going to perform their work in the auditorium separately, involving only their families. (Usually it's one huge recital where parents watch a recital for all classes in a grade.)

After their recitals, school is out until April, or until further notice; we still don't know how it's going to look next year.

There will be no graduation ceremonies at our schools.

Across Japan, 6th graders, middle and high schoolers in their last year won't have graduation ceremonies, which is kind of sad since this is supposed to be a huge "good-bye" before many children go on to different schools.

And, as if the government panicking weren't that bad, the natives are panicking as well.

Somebody started the rumor that toilet paper would run out "because all toilet paper comes from China", so Japanese citizens are in a frenzy trying to buy up all the toilet paper they can.

Wherever you go, hardware and supply stores, grocery stores, convenience stores, etc., all toilet paper racks are empty.

Even though it's really all for nought; there is actually plenty of toilet paper to go around.

The whole thing actually quite ridiculous.

 Store worker places sold-out notices for customers on toilet paper racks

So yeah, things are pretty sad in Japan right now.

But I was surprised to read on Facebook, that, according to one of my old professors with whom I keep in touch with, American universities are asking their foreign exchange students in Japan to come home "because of the coronavirus."

I understand people are panicking, but this is actually pretty stupid advice that hasn't been thought through.

Why?

Anyone in Japan staying long-term, be it students, workers or expats, are better off staying in Japan where they have access to universal health care.

Coronavirus cases have already been cited in the United States, however in the United States, coronavirus patients better be prepared to pay an arm and a leg.

One US resident apparently racked up a $3,200 bill for suspected coronavirus treatment. (Read article here.)

The virus test alone costs $1,261, if this report is correct.

A friend on Facebook has pointed out that for that much money, you can travel to Korea, stay a few days, GET TESTED and come back.

So yeah.

For any Americans reading this staying in Japan long-term, or any country where you have access to universal health care, do NOT go home.

You're better off staying in Japan where your bills are covered by the system.