Brian Rhoads has been a journalist in North America and Asia for more than 33 years, serving in China, Hong Kong, Singapore and the San Francisco area. He graduated from Stanford University with a BA in Political Science in 1987.
Cold fact is the cavalry is not coming and the US is likely, once again, to be on the sidelines in critical fight embraced by China against climate change.
Our managing editor finds it’s ‘hurry up and wait’ as departure day arrives and WhatsApp messages from staff have him worrying he’ll miss his shuttle. He does not.
The Post’s managing editor takes stock and sets his countdown clock as his time at the government facility draws to an end – just in time to switch to a hotel room.
Be ready to distract yourself with books, movies and – if possible – work, but don’t hesitate to ask for counselling help if it all gets to be too much.
The Post’s managing editor learns that ‘loads and loads and loads of snacks’ are priority No 1 in government lock-up – wasabi and soy-flavoured almonds notwithstanding.
Double up on mattresses, get your Wi-fi sorted before arriving, and bring your own coffee (or tea) among the pro tips shared by our managing editor on Day 3.
The Post’s managing editor settles in for his seven days at the government quarantine facility – after making the acquaintance of a couple spending their honeymoon there.
Brian Rhoads is one of many who saw Hong Kong’s quarantine rules shift under their feet in the past week, leaving him with an unexpected stay at the government facility; he is providing a day-by-day account of his time there over the next week.