Tuesday 17^th March, 2020 2045

The fishcakes were pronounced good by Jody but awful by me. I am not sure if it was my fault for making the mash too creamy or the fact of the two slices of bread I had available to make breadcrumbs one of them was Chinese “cake” bread. Either way, doubtful I will try again.

She was really late home tonight. The reason was a last-moment meeting at which she was required to take the minutes.

During this virus nonsense, all students and staff have been required to signal their continuing health each day to some Wechat or QQ group by 1000 every day to the school leadership. Well, not me of course as I am not on Wechat or QQ and I think they know what the answer would have been anyway – I'll email you if I die! Anyway, how many uni students get up before 1000 on holiday? Or me sometimes.

The concern would perhaps be touching but for the reason for today's meeting. One of the Uzbekistani students (not one of mine) told them he was at home in Tashkent and was absolved of daily reporting. The school has just learnt that actually he has been in Guangzhou throughout, the guess is that Guangzhou contacted the school to say they had one of our students there.

They are going to expel him.

I took Jody to task because she told me he was an excellent student and I asked why didn't she raise her hand to defend the chap, who after all is probably of adult age. Apparently she tried to say something but was closed down with the injunction that she was only there to take minutes!

Well I think we can all see that would meet with resistance in western countries and to be honest, if it was one of mine and he was indeed a good student I would be demanding an audience. He's not and so I shan't. I did save a female Chinese student a couple of years ago and if she kept her nose clean hopefully she graduates in summer.

But to boot someone out for being anywhere they want to be in their holiday is to me a step too far. It's a bit like the “Travel Request” form they sent me to complete when I leave the city. A small thing maybe but what they actually get sent is “Travel Advice” because if I am on holiday I do not need their permission, certainly not when I am almost as old as the school I think! I go where I want.

I am getting rather tired of the school closure. Initially I was told we would reopen on 30^th March but I asked for confirmation and was told there is no definite news. I have already had enough of home marking, it is relentless.

Oh, and I heard that the head Dean thinks I am always complaining about my workload! Sadly, without dropping my source in it, I cannot confront her about it.

To be sure, I have squealed about sending me hither and thither in a 20 minute break which even for a student would be a push. Certainly I told Dean Delia I hated English corners, especially as it meant a taxi fare home, no time to cook dinner and an 0530 alarm the next day. And even the students think they are a waste of time. But have I complained about being given the maximum teaching workload this term because I am the one and only? No I bloody haven't and I would love her to say anything to me but she won't, it will all be behind my back. I have never complained about my workload and that is a slur.

The good thing is, the guy that actually wields the power, seems to have gone from not liking me to really caring! I don't think it's a bromance, more a case of “he's the only one who stayed”.

I am such a cynic.