Under Quarantine. Both images from here.
So a group of English teachers got dealt a crap hand: they showed up to start teaching at their Hogwans, only to be pulled into quarantine by the government for passing through the same airport where another swine-flu carrier transferred.
Before we get into any of the worries about foreigners yet again becoming the locus of fear (keeping my eye on that… haven’t been convinced that’s the case yet, though), these folks might be headed into seven days (minimum) of solitary confinement in their quarantine compound.
That sounds like it’d suck.
Rate My Hagwon has a suggestion, though, and I’d be thrilled to hear some Hub of Sparkle readers helped alleviate the poor quarantine-ees boredom.
Some decorate their masks.
Basically, round up your books and extra, entertaining junk, disposable cameras, your old “don’t use it anymore” game console (don’t forget the battery charge pack), your back issues of magazines, blank cards (for them to write family and friends) or empty journals (for them to write, period), or whatever else you’d wish you had if YOU were shut in for seven days.
Bring them all (or send a friend with them to) Nambu Bus Terminal in Kangnam, Exit 5, at 5pm sharp, where people will be collecting items and bringing the care packages to the quarantined people.
If you’re a business, say, a book or stationery store, or whatever, and you participate, tell me about it (email roboseyo at gmail), with photos of the handoff at Namba station, and I’ll put the pictures up here, and totally plug your business with Hub of Sparkle readers. There are thirty foreigners (among seventy people) under quarantine right now, and they’re getting bored and shut in.
If you have more questions, send ratemyhagwon at gmail a message, and they’ve promised that if the response is good, they’ll do it again.
Do it! Do it! Seriously!
But that’s 5pm TODAY, so don’t delay.
More people blogging from the inside:
Sparkling Chaos (see the video tour of the quarantine facility)
26/05/2009 at 10:19 am Permalink
Can’t make it today but would love to help out.
I’m pretty sure this is where they are though: http://hrd.seoul.go.kr/eng/H01SHRDCBriefAction.do?method=direct
Any word on being able to just mail them a package?
26/05/2009 at 12:47 pm Permalink
What’s Korean for “Kafkaesque”?
26/05/2009 at 8:52 pm Permalink
카프카적인.
26/05/2009 at 10:19 pm Permalink
27/05/2009 at 8:28 am Permalink
Why are bloggers taking the lead on this? Isn’t this what ATEK is for? Seriously, what are they doing?
27/05/2009 at 8:42 am Permalink
I don’t speak for the other bloggers or the school or ATEK, but it is happening and it was a small success yesterday when we delivered some books. I think were it not for the three bloggers inside who posted their situation immediately everyone would have been unaware of how big this is, since the media is under-reporting numbers. Thanks to Roboseyo at KoreaSparkle for helping to get the word out.
Anyway, the good news is that there are no real obstacles against helping out.
http://ratemyhagwon.com/2009/05/27/7-day-quarantine-drive-continues/
27/05/2009 at 1:04 pm Permalink
That’s good to hear and I applaud the efforts made by the community. But really is ATEK as of yet so ineffectual that they are doing nothing. Frustrating to watch.
27/05/2009 at 1:31 pm Permalink
ATEK is paying close attention to this issue, gathering facts, and planning an appropriate response. We are trying to contact government officials and getting testimonials from people who are personally involved. Expect a press release sometime today on what we’ve found and and a call to action to address this problem.
27/05/2009 at 9:43 pm Permalink
Whoa there! Who said there was a problem? Fact gathering, planning, appropriate response? The press release does not suprise me in the least.