Thank you so much for following my life in Shanghai! I’ve really appreciate hearing from so many of you asking how I’m managing and holding up during the coronavirus epidemic. .
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Life in Shanghai
To all of you who have either reached out to me via the blog, by e-mail, or by talking to my parents, thank you so much! I can’t begin to explain how supported it makes me feel to know that so many people care about me and are putting me and all those impacted by the coronavirus epidemic in their thoughts and prayers. As I’ve said in each of my last two posts, I continue to be safe and I more importantly continue to be healthy. If you haven’t read my previous two posts detailing the situation, please do.
As I’m sure many of you suspect, I’ve spent much of the past week inside my apartment. I’ve only left to walk to the nearby grocery store to get essentials, go to the fruit store, get more face masks, and take out the trash. Each time I’ve gone out, I wear a facemask, which takes away much of the enjoyment of being outside. At this point, I’m a little tired of spending so much time in my apartment. However, thankfully, I have a big apartment that I can move around in and am not confined to one room. I’m very glad I didn’t listen to some of my fellow postdocs and get a 1 room apartment.
Shanghai has instituted new safety measures. First, access to apartment complexes and lane neighborhoods (I live in a lane neighborhood) are restricted. Delivery people have to leave the items at the front gate with the security guard or in my case a member of the neighborhood committee. Additionally, all visitors (if they’re allowed in) must sign in and provide their name, cellphone number, and passport/ID number. At the mall where the grocery store is located, they take your temperature and provide you with hand sanitizer as you enter. Additionally, people returning from outside Shanghai must spend 14 days at home in quarantine before returning to work.
Shanghai is clearly taking every preventative measure to restrict the spread of the virus. For the most part, this seems to be working in Shanghai. When I last posted, there about 290 cases. Since then, the number is up to 330 in Shanghai. So, it appears to be slowing, which is good. Additionally, the Huangpu district, where I live only has 6 cases. This information has gone a long way to making me feel safe in my neighborhood. Although, I continue to hope and pray particularly for those in the Hubei province (where Wuhan is located) that a cure will be discovered soon.
On Tuesday, I went to pick up more masks. These masks were provided by David Shields, an Israeli Health Insurance company that provided free masks to all Israeli’s and members of the Jewish community in Shanghai. This was an incredibly generous donation. So, I want to again extend my gratitude to David Shields and the Israeli Consulate, as well as my friend Yael, for organizing the effort. Each community member received 20 disposable masks. While I don’t need them at this time, I’m glad that I have a safety net. Through this action and those I’ve read about in the news, It’s been heartwarming to see members of the world community come together to donate emergency medical supplies to the people in China. It’s times like this that I hope remind the world that we must come together as a global community and not be divided by national, political, or racial lines.
Like last week, I have spent a ton of time doing research. I’m incredibly grateful that I can do so much work on my personal laptop. In terms of research progress, I unfortunately discovered a bug in my scientific analysis, which led to a minor meltdown on my part. However, thanks to reassurance and support from my Ph.D. advisor, Prof. Chis Miller, I was able to refocus and get back to work. Thankfully, that error has been fixed and has so far not impacted my results. I’m in the process of redoing the remaining analysis, but in general am confident in the robustness of my scientific results. 🙂 Once these results are rerun, I’ll continue to work on finalizing the two papers that I have in progress. I also stayed up late and attended the most recent DES cluster telecon (which was a 1am China time). It was nice to reconnect with the DES cluster group, since I’m often unable to attend such late meetings. At SJTU, we’ve also continued our daily zoom telecon’s to talk about interesting scientific plots. Even though we haven’t talked in person, it’s great to hear from my colleagues and know that we are all safe.
In terms of the rest of my life, groceries are still being delivered. So, I did a lot of cooking this weekend. I made delicious vegan brownies as well as vegan hot and sour soup with bok choy, shiitake mushrooms, and tofu! I have plenty of good and healthy food to eat. I’ve continued to read a lot of comic books as well. I also finished my friend Joseph Kaifala’s autobiography Adamalui: A Survivor’s Journey from Civil Wars in Africa to Life in America. I know many of my readers are members of the Skidmore community who fondly remember Joseph from his time at Skidmore. If you haven’t read his autobiography, I highly encourage it. It’s a powerful read and provides a unique insight into the political situation in Sierra Leone and the surrounding countries during the mid 1990’s – 2000’s.
In terms of fun activities, after picking up my masks on Tuesday, I got lunch with my friends Shimi and Heather and then spent the afternoon working alongside them at a local coffee shop. Even though we were all doing our own work, it was so much nicer to see other people working than it has been being isolated and working from home. So, as you can likely surmise, some places, mostly restaurants, coffee shops, and grocery stores, remain open, although none of them are very crowded. Additionally, I’ve continued to do pushups, crunches, and jumping jacks for exercise. However, at this point though, I really miss running.
I do want to note that I did not go on any walks this weekend. There was a walk on Sunday, but it was quite cold, in the upper 30s, the coldest it’s been here, so I wanted to stay inside. However, warmer weather (60s) will return later this week.
Despite the little time that I spent outside, I remain amazed by all the beautiful sights in Shanghai!
A dragon on the central pole! 
However, my personal favorite was Pandas depicted doing The Last Supper!
Food in Shanghai
On Tuesday, I got lunch with my friends Shimi and Heather at an Indian restaurant We got a spinach and paneer dish, a vegetable curry, and an eggplant and potato dish.
Unlike with the Chinese food, which is infinitely better in Shanghai, the Indian food from Little India (in Saratoga) is quite similar to the Indian food I can get here.
Jewish Life in Shanghai
While there were no in person Jewish events this week, on Shabbat, we did a virtual zoom Shabbat, which I led! About 15 Kehilat Shanghai families, as well as members from Kehilat Beijing, joined together to light the Shabbat Candles, say the blessings over the grape juice and bread, sing a few songs, and say what we were thankful for.
While it would be wonderful to see everybody in person, it was very nice to see so many of our community come together to celebrate Shabbat!
Despite the continued semi-self-imposed quarantine, this was another productive and good week. It’s comforting seeing (even through zoom) that people I know are still here. There are also other people beginning to return to Shanghai, so hopefully the worst of the virus is over.
I hope that this update about how my life has been impacted by the coronavirus has reassured you about my health and safety. Hopefully a cure will be discovered for the coronavirus soon. I plan to make this another productive research week as I continue to make lemonade out of lemons or the best out of an unfortunate situation. I look forward to updating you all about my life and adventures next week! If you have any questions/comments or concerns about Shanghai or my safety, let me know!
In peace,
Jesse
Hi Jesse,
First – I am so glad to hear that you and your friends are all healthy !
Second – thank you for taking the time to share this experience with us. It really helps to understand what is happening in China from a firsthand perspective and not just through news sources.
I continue to be impressed with how well you are coping with and managing this unexpected challenge. Even though you are in a forced solitude situation, you are still able to do so much of your work and you are able to see your friends.
I loved hearing about your ‘virtual’ Shabbat! Zoom is a great tool for bringing people together!
Wishing you another week of health!
Susan
Hi Susan! I’m so glad that you are finding the blog to be informative. Thanks for the well wishes!
Hi Jesse, I’m glad you were able to stay productive and fix the bug in your code this week. That’s never fun. Hopefully you get to do a few more fun things this coming week. I loved the pictures of the panda last supper. Was that in the cafe? The Indian food looked great and I’m glad to hear that you’ve been able to cook. I hope everything continues to improve in Shanghai and that they get a vaccine soon.
Love,
Emmet
Hi Emmet! You’re right, finding bugs are the worst, but I’m glad my results have remained consistent. 🙂 The Panda last summer was at the food court where we got Indian food. It’s not far from my apartment. I hope the situation continues to improve soon.
Hi Jesse
You have Such a good attitude!
Your cooking looks delicious!
Glad that the research bug was solved!!!
And how great to virtually gather with friends!
It’s very cold here.,, but sunny today!
Where can I get Joseph’s book???
Besides comic books, I’m wondering if you’d like to read some of Diana Wynn Jones books… Howls moving Castle author..,, Try Deep Secret , and a Tale of Time City! also Homeward Bounders…
I think you’d really like them!
clever characters and interesting unique stories!
Is there a commercial love holiday in China? Like Val day?
Thanks for all the updates Jesse!
❤️🌹🌺Pam
Hi Aunt Pam! It’s cold here today, but will be back in the 60s this weekend. Although, I wish I could take more advantage of it. I believe Joseph’s autobiography is on Amazon. My parents may also have a copy or two that you could borrow. Thanks for the recommendations. I have a few more physical books here, but if I run out and start reading on my ipad, I’ll keep these in mind!
I don’t know if there’s a Chinese equivalent of Valentines day, but I can ask some of my colleagues once life returns to normal.
Hi Jesse-
I just want you to know that you remain uppermost in our thoughts. Your blog is very reassuring and it’s always interesting to read about your week’s activities . It really does sound like you’re making the best of a challenging situation. How wonderful that you led a Shabbat gathering via zoom – your spirit, along with your health, seems to be very much in tact ☺️
May you be happy, healthy, and safe-
Amy
Hi Amy! Thanks for letting me know that I remain in your thoughts. Thanks for the well wishes! The Shabbat via zoom was a lot of fun, so hopefully we’ll continue that each week. 🙂
I”m glad you’re staying safe, but I bet it’s tough to not get to enjoy a normal non-mask walk outside! It’s good that everyone is taking this so seriously, though, and nice that you have free masks. I imagine it’s hard to keep a good supply of those!
Sorry about the bug! I can imagine how stressful that was to find. But it’s good that you found it, and now you can fix it!!
Hi Juliette! It’s great to hear from you! It’s definitely hard to enjoy being outside when you have to wear a mask, especially since it’s warm. Masks are definitely in short supply, so I’m glad I have some long term masks (that can be washed and reused) and some disposable masks.
The bug was definitely stressful and I was pretty concerned that some of my results were falsely detected, but thankfully that has not been the case! 🙂
Hi Jesse, It is hard to imagine how stressful life in semi quarantine must feel – where you have to wear a mask when you go out and you are monitored for temperature every time you enter a store or mall and all the restrictions on receiving guests and packages .. but for all that these restrictions seem to be controlling the spread of the virus. And it is good to hear that those restrictions are not hurting your sense of joy and pleasure in Shanghai.
Loved your comments about Little India. I don’t go there often but it is one of Lisa and my favorite eateries in Saratoga.
The gesture by David Shield (is that a play on Magen David?) of providing Israelis and members of the Jewish community face masks was very special as was the virtual kiddush you had with the wider Jewish community in Beijing (if I understood you correctly).
Take care – good luck with your research – despite inevitable hiccups –
Bernard
Hi Bernard! I agree that all the restrictions can seem stressful. The only one that really bothers me is having to wear a mask. While I understand the safety/health aspects, it just makes it much more uncomfortable when I go outside. Thanks for the well wishes!
I remain impressed by your resilience, Jesse, and by your ability to turn lemons into lemonade. Thanks for another fascinating update, and all best wishes for the coming week!
I was glad to read your blog this week and to find you making the best of your situation . Do you have a library close by?
I think reading and doing your work are important for you. I think of you often and say prayers that you are safe and they find a cure for this disease soon.
Shalom and Love,
Cousin Halli
Hi Halli! Thanks! The Shanghai Library is only a few metro stops from where I live. However, as of now, I’m reading the books that I brought with me. I have a few more, but when I run out that’s definitely an option. Although, I’m not really sure if the library system is the same in China as it is in the US. Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts!
It’s hard to believe now, but someday you will look back on this time with a sort of fond remembrance. Hey, at least it is memorable!
Are you able to watch DVD’s in your apartment? Listen to music via CD, the cloud, whatever? You don’t mention these, but I hope that they are available to you .
Hang in there! –UG
Hi Uncle Grant! You’re probably right that I will look back at this differently, but for now it can be frustrating. I don’t have access to DVDs (I didn’t bring any with me), but I am able to access Netflix and other streaming services to watch movies and TV. I have tons of music and podcasts that I’m listening to as well. Thanks for thinking of me.
Hi, Jesse.
It is great to see how many people have written in this week to express their concern and admiration for how well you are doing under this trying situation. Like others have commented, I find the Zoom Shabbat idea really inventive. I am glad you can take advantage of our Netflix account and get some entertainment in your apartment. And I agree that Joseph’s autobiography is an amazing read. To think what he lived through really is unbelievable. I hope you turn to The Plot Against America soon. Let me know what you think of it. I just learned it is coming out as a mini-series. I think that the panda version of the Last Supper is intriguing. I have a book of well-known paintings where the heads of the characters are replaced by cats, so you see a cat version of The Creation, for example. That image made me smile. I wish you a good and peaceful and healthy and productive week. I glimpse how frustrating this situation must be. And I commend you for continuing to make lemonade out of very sour lemons. Love, Mom.
Hi Mom! The zoom Shabbat was a fun well to connect with the Jewish community. Thanks for letting me access your Netflix account! I’d be much more bored without it. Plot Against America is the next book that I’ll be reading. I’ll let you know what I think once I start it. When I saw the Last Supper with Pandas, I knew I would be posting it in my blog! 🙂 Thanks for the support and well wishes!
Hey Jesse!
So glad to hear that are you doing so well even with all of the chaos going on around you! It does sound like Shanghai is doing everything possible to keep the virus from spreading in the community. (You wonder if they could ever impose any of those safety measures in the US!) Also, it is really wonderful to know that an Israeli company and others have stepped in to help during this trying time. I hope your research continues without anymore bugs! Love the picture of the panda Last Supper! Too funny and very creative. We are all hoping that a coronavirus cure will be found soon and everyone can return to life as usual! Keep making lemonade out of lemons! HUGS!
Hi Peri! I completely agree with your point that some of these restrictions would be nearly impossible in the US. Particularly, since there aren’t as many enclosed neighborhoods. I’m glad you enjoyed the Panda Last Supper! I loved seeing it. Thanks for the support!