I wish I knew what would work. My DH was on the Red Team for the US Govt during Ebola. There were scientists of all sorts, military, and governmental agencies heads there to work on how to stop Ebola from coming over and if/when it came over what to do to slow the spread. Obviously I don't know all he worked on while there. But when I ask him now, he says they haven't come to a consensus on his campus in terms of study abroad students and their summer dialogues (he take students to Japan in July). So if the university is dithering on what to do (I'm guessing because of the $$$$ they have invested/spent so far), the gov't must really be worse off. I'm monitoring my DH's temps since he got back. I'm prepping a bit more than I had before (which is kind of hard since Passover is in six weeks and that means a complete turnover in foods for the holiday). I bought additional filters for our Totobobo masks and more gloves. I live in a city and have high social capital (that's what my DH studies) in our little Jewish community. My DH can teach from home if need be. The kids who are in school-schools can be brought home if need be and I can HS them, and the one I homeschool for pay would have to fend for himself as his parents aren't up to it and I know he won't take to video learning. The elderly neighbors can eat with us. If it will be a harsh ride, I worry for my parents and in-laws more than us. I worry for all the people who can't or won't prep. We'll lose some summer salary if he doesn't go to Japan. My daughter was going to go to Japan to help with my friend's Passover meals/services, but we've held back on buying tickets. Their kids can't go home to Japan and return to Israel. I was in Japan during SARS and the only thing I remember was that we had no overseas guests for several months because no one came for business or leisure.

Singapore is a highly regulated city-nation-state. They have cameras everywhere (public and private). People there are pretty highly educated and are high on the scale of communal identity. They have a tight leash on their citizens, which we do not have here. Sadly, I doubt we can use them as a model.

I read that both the rubbing on of soap AND the rubbing of your hands on a towel (not air drying) are helpful in dislodging germs.

Cancel for any reason travel insurance is expensive and you can only purchase it within 2-3 weeks of the trip purchases, so if you didn't/don't buy it when you get your other tickets you're out of luck. Epidemics may or may not be covered anyways with any type of travel insurance.

An update: DH came home yesterday. I got him to change and shower as soon as he came home. All clothes went into hot water laundry/dryer. Unlike the flight going to Japan (1/3 full, usually full) the flight back was full, but full of foreigners (we called them fly-jin, a riff off of gai-jin (foreigner in Japanese) during the 3/11 disaster). I'm monitoring his temps twice a day. We're supposed to go to Bermuda next week. Their gov't is supposedly looking out for high risk entrants. They update on Thursdays so we'll see what they say then. Hope he doesn't get sick and we don't get turned away.

I think you'd be ok getting these. People who travel use them as far as I know. I got them because they were advertised as being awesome for China's pollution. They just also happen to be good for this purpose as well.

Since there are shortages of regular N95 masks, I want everyone here to know about the Totobobo Mask. This mask is reusable (you change out the filters) and you can get childrens/small/large sizes to fit all faces. We have them from a previous trip to China but I am especially glad that we have them now. I bought additional filter refills from their Canadian distributors. The filters last about 3-5 days depending on the air you are breathing.

With my husband coming home from Japan in a couple of hours, I am looking for a new thermometer! Your favorites? I got an Exergen Temporal Artery one at Costco. Is it easy and accurate? -Hoping not to be the nexus of the next outbreak of coronavirus!

DH just flew to Tokyo yesterday/today. His plane, usually full of people, was about 1/3 full - business class all but empty and no children on board. The FAs passed out surgical masks to everyone who wanted them. He is speaking at a conference about disasters (ironic) and bringing needed goods and food to our dear friends who run the Chabad of Tokyo. They have been bringing kosher food and support to the Israeli/Jewish passengers on the Diamond Princess since it's been quarantined with the Japanese govt and the Israeli embassy's blessings. The Israeli passengers (minus 4 who have been diagnosed with COVID-19) have been evacuated from the ship on a private jet to Israel. I've no idea if they'll be quarantined once they get there, but I assume so. Husband is not going out except to the Chabad House and the conference as no one is interested in social calls at this point. He's got ample n95 masks, gloves, elderberry syrup and Vit D, hand sanitizer and is meticulous on cleanliness He'll speak on Sunday and come home Monday night. Please pray for him.

My Harvard PhD holding husband did/does not know how to sort in alphabetical order and he can't always remember the months in order. He bounced around in different schools for those crucial years and never got it. I made sure my homeschooled kids knew that since none of them are going to Harvard! 😁

NHK reported the same information. At least there we know the human to human transmission. Where he got it from no one knows. He claims not to have taken foreigners in his taxi but who knows. There are two other land based people in Japan for whom they can't figure where they got it. A doctor in Western Japan and a 20-something in Chiba (just outside Tokyo).

The one death attributed to Coronavirus is an 80-something just south of Tokyo. The taxi driver said he thinks he transported some Chinese. I got this from NHK. My husband's leaving for Japan next week. Not changing his plans nor our daughter's plan to go in April.

Oh, and don't call hummus huh-mus. It's hoo-moose! Darn non-Jews/non-Arabs! 💕

It's the one thing that will unite Jews and Arabs to make world peace. Hummus is savory, never sweet. 🤣

Oh my no. Japanese customer service makes me swoon! Makes American CS look like dreck (junk, rubbish). Although elevator girls in Japanese department stores can be a bit too much.

I'll bring you some if/when I get back to Australia this year (husband has been invited to Brisbane and Melbourne this year so far)! It's true; best toilet paper ever.

Does anyone thing small town/very rural living will be gone soon? Someone upthread said that the young people are not moving back after college. I know I left my small town, never to come back. Will suburbs/city living be the norm ever?

I'm going for the ginormous fridge with the ice maker in the freezer but no water dispenser. We have one of those - it's called a sink. LOL I'm getting it in Stainless Steel as Bosch doesn't do these other finishes and I have read in numerous places they scratch easily and cannot be repaired. Thank you everyone! ETA: I mentioned Bosch because my dishwasher is not in great health and I will need to get one sooner than later and it will be a Bosch. GE 27.0CuFt French-Door Refrigerator with Spill-Proof Shelves

The fridge I have now is dying and I have to get a new one. I have a red oak hardwood floor, similarly stained Ikea cabinets and butcher block counters. In other words a lot of warm wood color (which I love). The walls are white tile (which I hate). I currently have stainless steel appliances. The dishwasher will probably die soon and who knows about the oven. Shoudl I change over to the black stainess steel/slate or stick with stainless steel? Thanks!!

Just remember there will be hamsin (the hot, super windy periods) which will drive dust from G-d only knows where - OK, Jordan really - into your home no matter if you put down the trissim (hurricane shutters). Which will look better with scads of dirt on them. I think grey, but beige should work.

If you change your mind (you have time!) or think of stuff you want from the US to J'lem, please don't hesitate. I don't think we're going as a family until next fall but my offer stands for then (and we have LOTS of luggage capability!). A Merry Christmas to you in the Holy Land. Eat a sufganiyah (Hanukah doughnut) for me, preferably halvah flavored.

If you can get over close to the Machane Yehuda Shuk, I have friends who are sending their kids to me for Chanukah. She's offered to send me whatever I want and I want to help YOU. If you want to send cards from J'lem to the US, I can have them ferried to Boston and I can do the rest. And if there is anything small you want to send back to the US or from here back there, let me know. They are coming Dec 19-31. Wishing I were there, Yael

An air plant? Needs periodic soakings in a water filled container, but that's it. It was my husband's first office plant and it has thrived in there.

Prayers for your both!

So glad to hear the good news. A dear friend of mine did TMS and it did wonders for 6 months or so. I think she is coming undone again, but due to a new set of stressors (her son who just started college is drinking and smoking weed and it is ripping her apart).