Friday 24^th January, 2020 Chinese New Year's eve 1400

Well, last night's veggie option for Jody was so well-received that she declared it the most delicious thing I have cooked so far! A bit odd, for all her pepper was stuffed with was rice and mushrooms. I think the Linghams had more than a hand in it.

Sadly I couldn't eat mine (which also had pork mince) as it was too painful. For a week now I have suffered from an infection in the front of my maxilla which has affected my speech and made me look like Plug from the Beano. I've been taking antibiotics and had it persisted for another week I had resolved to go to see a doctor. This morning it was huge and immensely sore but at one point I had a foul taste in my mouth and a putrid smell pervading my nostrils. I had decided to make a leek and potato soup for tonight and bake a loaf to dip in it – good, hearty and above all soft sustenance.

But I think the abscess has burst. The swelling is much reduced and I reckon I can tackle some leftover lasagne tonight.

I was reading about the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak this morning and the rising death toll and number of those infected. I now see most of that province is closed down, no public transport and road blocks in place now to prevent people leaving.

From what I gather there is an “end of the world” mentality taking root, with people panic buying food and leaving shops empty. Considering it's Chinese New Year enormous quantities of food are bought anyway but with this added attraction it will not be long before there are serious problems. I have visions of food aid convoys with people in hazmat gear delivering it!

And today I am told there are two confirmed cases in Lanzhou. My students and ex-students are imploring me to wear a mask and avoid crowds. Quite apart from the fact I wouldn't wear one as I don't believe they are particularly effective unless they are proper respirators, I couldn't even if I wanted to – apparently the city is sold out of them!

As for avoiding crowds, well the only contact I shall have until Monday is Jody and the jing jo shop and you will recall I did my shop in order to avoid the throngs. Monday should be quiet in BHG.

Mind you, this couldn't have come at a worse time for those in Hubei province. Reuniting with their families elsewhere is now not possible, in fact Jody's brother works in Wuhan and was due to fly back to the family here today. That's not going to happen and I see the government has decreed that any travel tickets by any means – rail, road, air or sea – that need to be cancelled will not be charged a cancellation fee and full refunds will be given. Quite right too.

I wonder whether, as a precaution, schools will be suspended until the situation is contained?