To go or not to go

Every expat (and even some locals) in Hong Kong is asking themselves this question. Over the last two weeks we have watched countless number of people we know grapple with the decision of whether to leave Hong Kong for a few months, and for some leave forever, as the fifth wave of Covid rips through the densely populated city. For us and many other families who cannot leave due to work, the choice is separation from partners for months and pulling our children from school, albeit online school, or staying put with months of restrictions, the threat of quarantine and isolation. For those who call ‘home’ Asia, at least attending online school is possible, but for those whose choice is fleeing to the west, this means months of home or no education for their children. Definitely not where we saw ourselves when we moved last year. While HK has had strict restrictions through the pandemic, the tradeoff was the feeling of safety with Covid numbers remaining very low. That is, until last month, when the highly transmittable Omnicron inevitably made its way into HK and spread like wildfire. Since then, hospitals have been overwhelmed with scenes looking like something out of a horror movie.

I grappled with the decision for days (am still debating on a daily basis with each news cycle), and we have for now, decided to stay put - we can endure almost anything together. A decision we hopefully will not regret. Apart from the separation and missed school, HK has stuck to its stringent quarantine policy and leaving would mean facing a 2 week ‘washout’ in another country (as entry from the UK, US and Canada are currently banned) plus a 14 day hotel day quarantine. Given the rest of the world has decided to live with Covid, the chances of catching it abroad are high and the price of testing positive even higher - facing government quarantine, possible separation - not to mention hotel costs.

Staying comes with plenty of risk as well - plans of universal mass testing, that is government mandated testing of all 7.5 (well maybe a lot less since a lot of expats have left) million citizens is underway. The goal - to be able to isolate anyone testing positive. Having had a taste of government quarantine in November, the prospect is definitely not appealing. This is what sent a lot of expat moms and children packing. Recent news about children being seperated from parents on testing positive has left anyone with children with sleepless nights (my already evident dark circles now have me looking like a racoon!). Our plan - self isolate, stay home and do our best to stay safe. Over the last two years, like many others we have learned to enjoy each other’s company, and I for one, am certainly grateful for getting to watch my children grow and learn on a daily basis. That has to be the one shining light of this whole pandemic.

The weather for now is lovely and hiking has become our saviour. Thanks to our lovely auntie, hubby and I can tackle some harder hikes without dragging the children. We recently did a ‘walk through the clouds’, which was phenomenal and reminded me of the hike I did in Peru through the cloud forest, except its literally in my backyard.

The sun is shining and I get to look at this view every morning, so for now being stuck at home isn’t too bad.

Ask me in a few months and I may be singing a different tune! Fingers crossed that we can return to the new ‘normal’ soon, hopefully one that involves kids going back to school in person!