Stirred, Not Shaken: One Teacher Describes His Self-Quarantine

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As the COVID-19 Saga continues to draw out, families and teachers have committed to staying safe and infection free, much to the detriment of their social and professional lives. Fortunately, Beijing expats are a tough bunch. In this series, we asked folks to share their stories of being stirred, but ultimately not shaken, by current events.

For David Gannon, an Irish native and teacher in Beijing, this is the land of underrated opportunity. His joys and pleasures are simple, from enjoying the ever-efficient Beijing subway system, to having his pick of bubble tea shops. But lately, this confessed tea and jianbing addict has been bereft of his treasured local comforts.

Gannon shares his experience of self-quarantine and having to contend with wearing face masks.

Tell us about yourself.

I’m originally from Ireland and I’ve been here working in Beijing as a teacher since 2017. I work mainly with young kids who bring out my more lively and carefree side.

When you first heard about the outbreak, did you take it seriously or did you take it with a grain of salt?

I think I took it seriously enough, without actually worrying about it if that makes sense. Wuhan is quite far from us here, and as anyone living here long enough will tell you, Fortress Beijing always feels safe, from pretty much any threat. I started to take it more seriously when the self-quarantine became more widely enforced, and our residential compound stopped allowing delivery guys to enter.  But overall, I haven’t been worried. I think Beijing’s response has been quite good; not that I’ve lived through many disease outbreaks really.

Would you say that you have cabin fever? If so, how has it manifested?

I do a bit, yes, some days more than others. I’m happy to spend my day indoors (my partner and I just moved to a lovely new apartment, so that helps), but when someone tells you you can’t or shouldn’t go outside, it becomes all you want to do.

Not feeling the wind on my face has been hardest, so I’ve been making a point of getting out, even for a short stroll, every day. It’s interesting to see Beijing so empty. I also really enjoy doing my shopping myself, in a supermarket, but standing around piles of raw meat wondering who might be coughing on it has soured me a little on the experience, but I still walk out for milk and big jugs of water.

How has this outbreak changed your work-life daily routine?

My company has pushed back the start date for the semester, as with all education groups in Beijing. Things are still a bit up in the air in that regard. They’ve given us work to do from home, so I’m kept busy, which has been great in keeping in touch with my students and colleagues. Plus, you can only watch so many series before your eyes go square!

What do you most miss about Beijing BC (Before Coronavirus)?

Honestly? Nothing really. While there have been changes to life here, it’s nothing intolerable. Maybe the ease of having chicken delivered at midnight right to my door, now I have to go down, cross the compound, lean over the gate and use my broken Chinese through a face mask (isn’t it harder to understand through a mask?). Then again, just being able to have everything delivered at all, day or night, is one of the best things about living in Beijing, so I won’t complain.

What have you discovered about yourself during this time? Have you discovered any pet peeves, phobias, or ticks that you never knew you had?

I cannot stand wearing a face mask. I occasionally do it if the air quality is bad bad bad, but even then I just try not to go outside. It’s hard to breathe in one, and hard to understand people talking. I’ve also realized my partner is far more comfortable than I am spending all day indoors, and just cannot be forced into going for a walk, so I have to do that alone.

Once all this is over, what do you plan on doing? What do you most look forward to going back to?

I’m looking forward to going back to work and being in a classroom, with students and colleagues again. I’m also looking forward to taking the subway again, I haven’t actually done it since the outbreak started, though I don’t know if many people get excited about the Beijing subway like I do.

Has the outbreak changed your resolve to remain in Beijing or are you here to stay until the foreseeable future?

I’ve lived and worked in a few cities in various countries, and I’ve never felt as safe as I do in Beijing. The city and the country has managed this outbreak as well as I can imagine anyone doing it, if not better, and it’s situations like this that give you a sense of what kind of place you’re living in. I’ll be here another long while yet, Coronavirus or not.

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Photos: Courtesy of David Gannon

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