Swine Flu Shutdown

Funny thing happened today…so, as most of you are aware, the swine flu has been making its way around the world. It started in Mexico and there have been reported cases in the United States and other countries. The swine flu is, simply put…the flu.

Well, for those of you who DON’T know, Japan is CRAZY. Everything requires a million sheets of paperwork and any decision goes through a large number of people. The idea that the swine flu might enter the country has been putting people on high alert. We’ve been reading in the newspapers about the measures both the government and companies have been going to keep the flu out of the country. They’ve been using infrared machines to detect people’s fevers, conducting tests in the airports…it’s rather extensive. The few people that they caught with the flu off of a Canadian plane were immediately quarantined.

In addition, the government has claimed itself ready to go to any measures to keep it from spreading, if it were to enter the population–including shutting down businesses and asking everyone to remain in their houses. It seemed like something Japan would do, but not something we really saw happening.

So, today I got up and biked to school for my Reading Japanese final exam at 10:00. I took the test (which went pretty well, I might add) and biked with Kelly to a camera shop down the road to find a new lens protector for my SLR camera (my current one is cracked). The protector was too expensive, so we went home and I got on the computer to work on some of my spring break photos when Kelly sends me a rather shocking instant message:

“They are closing the school at 1:30 today. Check your email.”

I thought it was a joke, but behold there it was in my email:

Dear international students,

We are sending this message to inform you that the University has
decided to cancel all classes starting from 1:30 pm today, May 18,
until Sunday, May 24, due to the outbreaks of the H1N1 flu in Osaka and
Hyogo prefectures.  This decision has been made in accordance with
advice from local authorities and Japanese government.

The university will be physically shut down during the above period.
Accordingly, you will not be able to take further final examinations as
scheduled.

We will meet with faculty members this afternoon to decide measures on
grading of the courses, and will send you a message as soon as they are
determined.

We will also inform you of the procedures to follow regarding the
following items:

1.  Refund of General Deposit
2.  Return of library books and LL materilas

We must also inform you that the Completion Ceremony scheduled on
Saturday, May 23 will be cancelled.

There are many issues that have to be addressed.  We will continue to
communicate with you via e-mail as soon as the university actions are
determined.

We would also like to urge you to stay at home/dormitory and avoid
going out.  When you have to go out, please make sure to wear masks.

I would like to ask for your cooperation in dealing with this difficult
situation calmly and patiently.  We deeply regret, as much as you do,
that we must finish the semester this way, but hope you will understand
that we are trying our best to secure the safety of our students.

Sincerely,

Hajime Yamamoto, Dean

My friend Anna and I rushed back to the school to grab anything we had left there before the school closed.  I packed all my ceramics into my backpack and into a plastic bag and (very carefully) transported them back to my room.  I need to go through all of it and decide what I want to keep and what I need to give away.  There were so many pieces I was going to put into our ceramic exhibition this week…but unfortunately that was canceled, too.  Some of us here are talking about having our own exhibition in the seminar house.  I hope so!

In any case: my conclusion? Japan is still crazy.  I can see the light here; I mean, I no longer have to worry about my exams this week.  I get to sleep-in tomorrow.  However, I am disappointed that the ceremony is canceled AND there is the threat that there will be more places that will close if the flu spreads.  That means the grocery stores, trains, etc.  A lot of us are worried about getting home, and doubly sad that our official “good-bye” to each other has been canceled.  In addition, a lot of us have plans to visit places this week.  Naturally, we plan on traveling anyway, but when my friend Zac tried to find masks at the store they were all sold out.

What an interesting way to end the semester, huh? Ah well.  I guess this also gives me some time to catch up all my blogs–I have another blog I need to write about seeing Beauty and the Beast on Saturday and also my last home visit family “gathering.”  So sad!  It finally dawned on me…I’m leaving Japan. *sniff* Maybe I will also get around to posting another video.  Episode #3 was finished weeks ago…or at least, sort of.  I wanted to add a few clips that I have yet to digitize on my computer.  Erg.

I will update you all if anything else happens in crazy Japan.  At this point I’m hoping they don’t close the airports. While I would love to stay in Japan, I’m kind of ready to come home in one week.