Alexander's

I don't read news, that are not technic related, my friends know I don't care about politics and I gladly the guys in the lab don't talk about these things either. Basically this leads to a totally serene working environment. I don't have to think about the latest political blunders, the crimes of some warlord or worry about what some evil company did now.

The first time I came into contact with the concept of swine flu was after coughing in the subway. Usually the places next to me are a little more empty than elsewhere in the subway. By now I'm used to that, so I was not very surprised that this day my bench was also almost empty, while the bench on the opposite side of the subway was nearly full.

What I was about to experience was not so normal anymore. I coughed a normal innocent cough and the masked lady to my right -- sitting four seats further down the row -- turned away panic stricken, while the few remaining unmasked people started to fanatically search for theirs and put them on. Seeing this the first people sitting opposite of me started to stand up and move to the edged of the wagon. By the time my train entered the next station I was almost alone in the wagon. Only one brave unmasked 高校生[^1] remained smiling mildly in my direction -- at least that's what I wished for. In reality it was an old lady -- her expression set in stone, not willing to give up her place just because of one lousy Gaijin, who might have some deadly desease. I guess even if I had something infectious she would have been pretty save anyway -- the look she gave me probably would have killed any bacteria I might have thrown her way the instant they left my body.

I totally understand the enhanced need for pandemic precautions in Tokyo. A city this pressed for living space might be just the petri dish, that the next killer virus is looking for. If you ask why, then I just bring the example of todays elevator at lunchtime. The allowed maximum number of people: 11 -- people inside the elevator (before I entered) 12. Yes I agree it's a bit tight to cram 13 people in an elevator designed for 11 -- even if 12 of those 13 people are relatively small japanese, but honestly this is still roomy compared to the subway in the rush hour.

Therefore I said nothing, when I was asked to report all contacts with suspicious foreigners.[^2] I accepted the explanation about not going to places where lots of people meet[^3] I even filled out the report that asked me where I would be staying in March, I laughed about them closing down schools out of fear, but today when I was asked to wash my hands with disinfection soap before entering the presentation room I felt something snap.

Do whatever crazy things you want to do, but please don't force me to do things that have next to no medical benefit and make me smell like I drowned in an antiseptic tank! This is worse than the last time there was a virus going around and the secretary came in our room twice a day and sprayed alcohol everywhere. I smelled like an alcoholic for a month![^4]

[^1]: High school (girl) [^2]: I reported one girl right after finding out about this and tonight I'm going to meet a friend that was abroad and came back slightly sick - this will be fun [^3]: like the subway or basically any place in Tokyo [^4]: Of course the alcohol is also back, but now I just flee to the clean room, or the vacuum chamber, where people are not allowed to spray alcohol around