yesterday at CUHK CLC they handed out free protective masks to all the students. the kids staying in the dorms had already received them. i got one during lunchtime and wore it throughout my afternoon class. so did several of my classmates.
on the train heading back home, there was a sign in every station advising passengers who exhibit any flu-like symptoms to request a free mask from the ticket booth. about half of my train car was wearing masks. our teacher told us that she sneezed on her train to work and some guy ran away from her.
the conversation in class today covered: what the best brand of mask is (3M, apparently, though one especially good model has sold out), where the latest cases have been reported, how you can catch SARS (through 口水, saliva) and why riding the train is so scary. it was kind of ridiculous to try to answer questions in chinese while muffled behind a mask. i blew my nose a couple times in the afternoon (allergies) and the student next to me asked me if i was okay, with a serious tone in her voice.
sophie counted 48 masks (and 3 mormons) on her way to work yesterday, and 151 masks this morning. we also downloaded and watched the movie "outbreak" last night, and, no, it's nothing like that here, so don't worry. (plus, did you know kevin spacey has a small supporting role in "outbreak"? i plumb forgot.) just as long as i don't let any sick-looking people sneeze on me, and i wear my mask on the train, i'll be fine. ok!
Posted by cce at March 27, 2003 02:36 PM | TrackBack