“The English teachers in question, recruited by a hagwon in Seoul, are believed to have been infected while they were undergoing training from May 18 to 22, acting as a team and living in the same place. Another seven teachers with high fevers and runny noses are undergoing tests.”
It also says:
"Their possible exposure to the flu is linked to the fifth reported case in Korea, a 23-year old American woman who was diagnosed on May 23rd. She was part of the same training group, shared living quarters, and attended the same training sessions.
After enduring what more than one teacher characterized as a ”hellish week” of training, the teachers were rounded up from as far away as Busan by public health officials and brought to a quarantine location in Seocho-dong, Seoul. "
According to a source unnamed in the article, this is what the teachers were told (some of them having already been shipped out to Busan and Daegu):
“I have uh, some bad news for you. It seems at training, last week someone in your group is now positive for swine flu. So we must take you now, to hotel for tests. Ambulance is on the way.”
We’re in an ambulance, weaving it’s way back toward Seoul. Twenty minutes before two serious looking health workers picked us up in Bundang, promptly handed us N95 masks, then motioned for us to get into the ambulance waiting there. A small group of Koreans stopped their saturday afternoon stroll to watch the scene: two Americans being escorted into an ambulance not ten feet away from them. I felt sorry for them, knowing that some of them would probably be retracing their entire day, hypothesizing if they ever came into contact with something these two dirty foreigners had touched. I had visions of men in business suits washing themselves thoroughly from head to toe as if scrubbing our very existence off their skin.”
The article acknowledges the possibility that this situation could mean bad things for English academies since the swine flu cases have been closely linked with not just Americans, but American English teachers in private schools. One assistant principal died as a result of a separate situation/infestation.So far, we've still be instructed to return to work on June 3rd and to remain in our homes, leaving only when absolutely necessary.
Our school is particularly upset by the news that we would not get paid. Other teachers at other CDI branches and franchizes are receiving compensation for this "forced vacation" and I was even forwarded an email by a girl who trained with me, stating that all instructors should be paid. Curiously, none of the teachers at our branch received this email. I'm a little more laid back about the issue (I'm usually foolishly laid back about money issues), but if the teachers force the issue (and it sounds like they will from the texts and calls I've received), I will stand behind them as well. It seems to come down to our owner (our branch is a franchise owned by one man) who has been described as greedy by some. Or was it just me?
Until we work these issues out, I will be staying as far away from westerners as I can, which is a change. The chances of contracting swine flu are giving me pause each time I receive an invitation to go out and have some fun during this vacation. I received a text from my manager requesting that we "limit social interactions" and to definitely stay away from areas highly populated with foreigners (like Itaewon).
Another issue is the fairness and logic of the quarantine. I have yet to find solid information telling how many Koreans have been in quarantine as a result of their contact with any of these training members, but it seems that it's just the westerns subjected to this "house arrest." But really, if they are this afraid, causing schools to close and whatnot, shouldn't they be worried about the people who flew over with this teacher? What about someone who passed them on the plane as they were coughing? What about the airline attendants on that flight? Or even the people working at the hotel in which ALL the trainees stayed for training week?
The other thing that is beginning to concern me is the threat made by North Korea. Usually I roll my eyes when I hear these menacing quotes from their government, but I'm increasingly aware that I am in the very city they would attack should they decide to. If I thought they'd fly a plane into a building, I'd be concerned too, but the fact that they're most likely housing atom bombs and worse is enough to make me wish I'd chosen a different year to do this. I don't think or feel this way constantly, but it crosses my mind from time to time, each time more threats are made. Then again, this political climate definitely makes this year more interesting.
As for swine flu....there's a lot of support from other teachers. They have taken up a collection to make care packages for the quarantined teachers which include things to help ease the boredom and seriousness of the situation. The article about the swine flu situation has some good news: "Luckily, though, there is some good news. A South Korean researcher claims to have developed the world’s first H1N1 vaccine."
If you'd like to read the entire article, go to:
http://ratemyhagwon.com/2009/05/25/korea-english-teachers-swine-flu-quarantine/comment-page-1/
And for an interesting article on the North Korea threats:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8069457.stm
Thanks for continuing to read my blog. I'm sure everything will be fine and I will try to enjoy my swine flu vacation. I love you all (most of you :-) hehe )!
Swine flu is not even a big deal in the states anymore. Barely gets mentioned on the news now...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the web site references. They were quite interesting. Also, on the lighter side, I learned that there will be a documentary released at the end of the year on Kimchi. It is due to be released in about 100 American cities as well as in South Korea and will introduce 31 different Kimchi dishes. Good thing we won't be able to smell what is cooking:)
ReplyDeleteI would like to try some non-spicy Kimcki recipies when we come to visit.