TOKYO (AP) — Under Japan’s coronavirus state of emergency, people have been asked to stay home. Many are not. Some still have to commute to their jobs despite risks of infection, while others continue to dine out, picnic in parks and crowd into grocery stores with scant regard for social distancing.
In a country with the conformist culture Japan has, this is somewhat surprising. Heck, they were wearing masks to prevent spreading their germs long before it became this in thing to do in the west.
Well, if there is something that Japan is not short of is old people, so I guess they following the Dan Patrick doctrine and not worrying to much about having a few going on to meet their ancestors.
My sister lives in Tokyo and suggested (before the stay-at-home appeal was made) that gaman – ideas about perseverance in difficult times – might lead to resistance.
I’ve got family there too. The college students have restaurant jobs and the adults take the trains to work. On the other hand masks are normal so that goes a long way.
In fact I’d have likes this article to address the mask-wearing rate especially on trains and sidewalks.