Life in a semi-lockdown scenario ~~six~~

...are we there yet?

After that short detour on leadership earlier this week, let's return to life under a semi-lockdown situation. Because that is what remains despite the State of Emergency being lifted at the beginning of the week. The number of daily cases in Tokyo remains low, generally under 20, occasionally single figures. 

TV Asahi Morning Show reporting on foreign reporting
of the 'Japan model' of controlling the virus,
this still of a panel about ABC Australia

There is much speculation in the foreign media about a so-called 'Japanese model', how has the country kept the cases and deaths comparatively low without the severe restrictions applied in other countries. Several businesses had to close; public facilities were also asked to close, as were universities, schools and so on. People were asked to work at home where possible, and we were offered a figure of 80%, the percentage to aim for in terms of reducing commuting traffic, contact and gathering in public. These became the figures to watch on nightly broadcasts, we were given details of percentages at key train stations, according to mobile phone data, mostly. 

Masks have become symbolic of the pandemic. Early on, panic buying saw most shops sold out of masks very quickly however, unlike toilet paper which has basically returned to the shelves, masks are still hard to come by, in the usual places. Now two or three things have happened with masks. The foreign press have reported the masks as part of the Japanese model. Japanese people have a custom of wearing masks, certainly. In previous times, those with a cold might wear one to prevent transmission to others; masks are commonly worn during hayfever season (which coincided with the emergence of COVID19 this year); I haven't worn them previously but even I have taken to wearing masks as I go about my chores. Now, they are required in public at most times. But, supplies remain low. This has resulted in two things--a 'black market', where they are sold in quantities in shops that don't normally sell them, and at exorbitant prices. I mentioned a couple of weeks ago the Abe government tried to respond to this by posting out two masks to every household. We learnt this week that less than 35% have been delivered at this stage and in some cases, some residences have received two deliveries. There was some controversy this week too when one school insisted the 'Abenomasuku', and only the Abe mask, had to be worn. 

The second 'phenomenon' worth noting has been the regionalisation and craftsmanship arising in a kind of unofficial mask competition. It emerged as various prefectural governors began to wear masks made of local materials with local markings or symbols (often supplied by constituents), perhaps to contrast with Abe's efforts. As I noted at the time on twitter (19 May), 

'Forthcoming: 'Symbolism and meaning in mask motifs--the emergent space in political symbolism and regional parochialism in a time of COVID19', 

to try and capture the sense of how masks have become quite the accessory. I still haven't managed to replenish my disposable paper masks but I have acquired a cloth, re-usable one and the materials required to make another if required. Plenty of industries have also moved to make masks, particularly in my broader community of interest, wetsuit manufacturers have made them out of wetsuit materials and the big international clothing maker, UniQlo, announced they will have some available in stores soon. 

Concerns are currently being expressed about wearing masks in summer. No doubt we will see more variations made for summer. 

The Surfing Association offers the above
advice when we return to the surf.

Now with the state of emergency lifted, but restrictions left in place, there have been some interesting changes on tv too. During the SoE, a number of panel shows had members 'zoom in' from home; some are continuing that practice this week, while others have brought their guests back into the studio. In the latter, much is made of 'distancing' on stage as well. A number of drama series which would normally continue shooting have halted production which has meant replays of earlier episodes, or completely different program. It could be seen as symbolic but it has been important I think, a constant reminder of present circumstances.

Shops continue to keep vinyl sheets between staff and customers at the registers, 2m markings and hand sanitizer at the door. Restaurants and pubs, are re-opening with precautions too. 

However, my workplace has determined that, by and large, we should continue working and teaching from home, extending our exclusion from campus until the end of July. That will be four months by the time we get to return. Perhaps. 

Thus, for the foreseeable future, little will change for me here, in my little apartment, in the Tokyo suburbs. My neighbourhood obachans remain a source of daily (brief) chats, and I do miss the wonderful women at my station kiosk, I hope they are ok. 

I'm still to venture beyond the limits of my neighbourhood, but let's see what happens by this time next week.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Asahi Shimbun reports, at 9:00pm last night (27 May) Japan recorded 16744 cases and 870 deaths. This on the day, the United States passed 100,000 deaths. How, why? That's the subject of another post, another day.