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As coronavirus epidemic spreads, Palo Altan recounts desperation to get out of Wuhan

Esther Tiferes Tebeka and her daughter, evacuated to the U.S., now await release from quarantine

Update: Palo Alto resident Esther Tiferes Tebeka and her daughter, Chaya, were released from quarantine on Feb. 11 as a precaution after coronavirus broke out during their trip to Wuhan, China. Read our latest story here.

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From her quarantine at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside County, Palo Alto resident Esther Tiferes Tebeka on Friday pinpointed the moment she felt panic while trapped in Wuhan City, China, in January.

"On Saturday night (Jan. 25), I found out that not only was Wuhan quarantined, the whole city was prohibited from driving any vehicles," Tebeka, a former television host and journalist in Wuhan and Hubei, said during a phone call. "How were we going to get out of the city? That's when I panicked."

Tebeka and her 15-year-old daughter had flown to Wuhan, Tebeka's hometown, to visit her parents on Jan. 1. Her mother had been ill, though not with coronavirus, but during their stay, her health improved, Tebeka said.

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Tebeka and her daughter, Chaya, who was on winter break from her private high school in Chicago, left Wuhan to tour the rest of China and returned to the city on Jan. 14 in time for the start of the Chinese New Year on Jan. 24.

But already trouble was brewing: Tebeka said that a China Central Television newscaster reported around Jan. 14 that cases of pneumonia were appearing in the city. Few people at the time were wearing masks, but Tebeka and Chaya did, and they also stayed inside. Starting Jan. 20 and each day after, the number of cases became much greater, she said. Within three days, the situation was grave. The government put the city of 11 million people under quarantine and banned anyone from driving.

"I heard on WeChat ... that people were dying," she recalled. "The whole city was a ghost city. Nobody was walking on the streets. All of the shelves in the grocery stores were empty. Even the salt was sold out."

Tebeka, who converted to Judaism and is married to Haim (Marc) Tebeka, a Hasidic Jew, keeps a kosher household. She and her daughter had only a small amount of challah and grape juice and were in danger of running out of kosher food in Wuhan, she said.

She called the U.S. Consulate in the city.

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"I was really worried. The line was always busy, and even when I got in contact with someone I had to leave a message. There was voicemail only," she said.

Eventually, she received an automatic reply by email, directing her to register for a flight out of the country. On Jan. 26, she was relieved to hear that she was approved for a flight -- with just 230 seats -- that would take American citizens and diplomats to the U.S.

Tebeka had to get a special permit for her brother to drive her and her daughter to the airport. But even flying to America turned into a harrowing experience. The flight was to leave at 9 a.m., but it was rescheduled to that night and then didn't take off until after 4 a.m. the next day, she said. They traveled in a converted cargo plane for 40 hours, always wearing protective germ masks, first stopping in Anchorage, Alaska, where they were screened to make sure they weren't ill. There wasn't any kosher food on the plane, so Tebeka and Chaya went without a meal for the entire flight, she said.

From Alaska, they arrived at Ontario Airport in southern California on Jan. 28 and were screened again. Transferred to a bus, they were then taken to March Air Reserve Base, which is in a remote desert location. They, along with about 320 other Americans, were initially told they would be held for 72 hours. Soon after, however, authorities informed them they would be quarantined for 14 days to wait out the virus's 14-day incubation period.

If they test negative for the illness, they could be released on Tuesday, Feb. 11, she said. So far, no one in her quarantined group has tested positive.

The quarters are clean: Tebeka and her daughter are in two rooms with an adjoining bathroom. They have a microwave and a refrigerator, like in a hotel room.

Each morning at 10 a.m., she attends a group meeting with officials in the outdoor courtyard. There are daily health checks and interviews. There are also activities, like a Zumba exercise class.

But being Orthodox Jewish, Tebeka and Chaya have had to navigate one hurdle that the others in quarantine haven't dealt with: There isn't any kosher food on the base — and getting it has turned into its own adventure.

To start with, Tebeka's husband drove six hours to bring them meals.

"The phone in my room rang. They said that my husband had food for us and he was waiting in the visitors center. I said, 'Okay, I'm coming.'"

She asked someone in a uniform for directions. As she made her way in the dark, she was caught by surprise when she suddenly found herself surrounded by vehicles and soldiers carrying guns. Apparently, she was not supposed to be wandering around on the military base. Tebeka explained her culinary dilemma.

"They said, 'Go back.' I didn't have a choice. We were not allowed to see each other. It was worse than jail time," she said of not seeing her husband, even though he was there.

The food was brought to her quarters, and when it started to run out, Tebeka contacted Rabbi Shmuel Fuss of Chabad Jewish Community Center of Riverside, who was able to purchase groceries for her for the week and eventually arranged for her to get an electric frying pan. His wife cooked Tebeka and Chaya a Shabbat dinner.

Now 10 days into quarantine, Tebeka spends most of her time preparing meals in the room. There's no Wi-Fi, so her daughter spends much of her time talking to and texting her friends on her phone. They do have access to reading materials, however.

As for Zumba, it is co-ed, and her faith doesn't allow her and her daughter to dance with men. But Tebeka said spirits are good in the camp and everyone under quarantine has been accommodating, quiet and grateful. None of their group has come down with the coronavirus.

On the outside, Haim Tebeka waits for his wife's and daughter's release. Their other two children remain in Palo Alto, where friends are caring for them.

"Everyone has been amazingly nice," he said, and he understands why the government has to quarantine his wife and daughter.

Tebeka said she is also "very grateful" that the government evacuated them and for the care they have received.

When she is released, she will do two things: "See my children in Palo Alto who have been without their parents for two weeks and donate masks to Beijing."

There's one more thing: "To have a Shabbat meal with my family. I can't wait for that," she said.

Find comprehensive coverage on the Midpeninsula's response to the new coronavirus by the Almanac, Mountain View Voice and Palo Alto Online here.

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Sue Dremann
 
Sue Dremann is a veteran journalist who joined the Palo Alto Weekly in 2001. She is a breaking news and general assignment reporter who also covers the regional environmental, health and crime beats. Read more >>

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As coronavirus epidemic spreads, Palo Altan recounts desperation to get out of Wuhan

Esther Tiferes Tebeka and her daughter, evacuated to the U.S., now await release from quarantine

by / Palo Alto Weekly

Uploaded: Fri, Feb 7, 2020, 10:07 pm

Update: Palo Alto resident Esther Tiferes Tebeka and her daughter, Chaya, were released from quarantine on Feb. 11 as a precaution after coronavirus broke out during their trip to Wuhan, China. Read our latest story here.

---

From her quarantine at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside County, Palo Alto resident Esther Tiferes Tebeka on Friday pinpointed the moment she felt panic while trapped in Wuhan City, China, in January.

"On Saturday night (Jan. 25), I found out that not only was Wuhan quarantined, the whole city was prohibited from driving any vehicles," Tebeka, a former television host and journalist in Wuhan and Hubei, said during a phone call. "How were we going to get out of the city? That's when I panicked."

Tebeka and her 15-year-old daughter had flown to Wuhan, Tebeka's hometown, to visit her parents on Jan. 1. Her mother had been ill, though not with coronavirus, but during their stay, her health improved, Tebeka said.

Tebeka and her daughter, Chaya, who was on winter break from her private high school in Chicago, left Wuhan to tour the rest of China and returned to the city on Jan. 14 in time for the start of the Chinese New Year on Jan. 24.

But already trouble was brewing: Tebeka said that a China Central Television newscaster reported around Jan. 14 that cases of pneumonia were appearing in the city. Few people at the time were wearing masks, but Tebeka and Chaya did, and they also stayed inside. Starting Jan. 20 and each day after, the number of cases became much greater, she said. Within three days, the situation was grave. The government put the city of 11 million people under quarantine and banned anyone from driving.

"I heard on WeChat ... that people were dying," she recalled. "The whole city was a ghost city. Nobody was walking on the streets. All of the shelves in the grocery stores were empty. Even the salt was sold out."

Tebeka, who converted to Judaism and is married to Haim (Marc) Tebeka, a Hasidic Jew, keeps a kosher household. She and her daughter had only a small amount of challah and grape juice and were in danger of running out of kosher food in Wuhan, she said.

She called the U.S. Consulate in the city.

"I was really worried. The line was always busy, and even when I got in contact with someone I had to leave a message. There was voicemail only," she said.

Eventually, she received an automatic reply by email, directing her to register for a flight out of the country. On Jan. 26, she was relieved to hear that she was approved for a flight -- with just 230 seats -- that would take American citizens and diplomats to the U.S.

Tebeka had to get a special permit for her brother to drive her and her daughter to the airport. But even flying to America turned into a harrowing experience. The flight was to leave at 9 a.m., but it was rescheduled to that night and then didn't take off until after 4 a.m. the next day, she said. They traveled in a converted cargo plane for 40 hours, always wearing protective germ masks, first stopping in Anchorage, Alaska, where they were screened to make sure they weren't ill. There wasn't any kosher food on the plane, so Tebeka and Chaya went without a meal for the entire flight, she said.

From Alaska, they arrived at Ontario Airport in southern California on Jan. 28 and were screened again. Transferred to a bus, they were then taken to March Air Reserve Base, which is in a remote desert location. They, along with about 320 other Americans, were initially told they would be held for 72 hours. Soon after, however, authorities informed them they would be quarantined for 14 days to wait out the virus's 14-day incubation period.

If they test negative for the illness, they could be released on Tuesday, Feb. 11, she said. So far, no one in her quarantined group has tested positive.

The quarters are clean: Tebeka and her daughter are in two rooms with an adjoining bathroom. They have a microwave and a refrigerator, like in a hotel room.

Each morning at 10 a.m., she attends a group meeting with officials in the outdoor courtyard. There are daily health checks and interviews. There are also activities, like a Zumba exercise class.

But being Orthodox Jewish, Tebeka and Chaya have had to navigate one hurdle that the others in quarantine haven't dealt with: There isn't any kosher food on the base — and getting it has turned into its own adventure.

To start with, Tebeka's husband drove six hours to bring them meals.

"The phone in my room rang. They said that my husband had food for us and he was waiting in the visitors center. I said, 'Okay, I'm coming.'"

She asked someone in a uniform for directions. As she made her way in the dark, she was caught by surprise when she suddenly found herself surrounded by vehicles and soldiers carrying guns. Apparently, she was not supposed to be wandering around on the military base. Tebeka explained her culinary dilemma.

"They said, 'Go back.' I didn't have a choice. We were not allowed to see each other. It was worse than jail time," she said of not seeing her husband, even though he was there.

The food was brought to her quarters, and when it started to run out, Tebeka contacted Rabbi Shmuel Fuss of Chabad Jewish Community Center of Riverside, who was able to purchase groceries for her for the week and eventually arranged for her to get an electric frying pan. His wife cooked Tebeka and Chaya a Shabbat dinner.

Now 10 days into quarantine, Tebeka spends most of her time preparing meals in the room. There's no Wi-Fi, so her daughter spends much of her time talking to and texting her friends on her phone. They do have access to reading materials, however.

As for Zumba, it is co-ed, and her faith doesn't allow her and her daughter to dance with men. But Tebeka said spirits are good in the camp and everyone under quarantine has been accommodating, quiet and grateful. None of their group has come down with the coronavirus.

On the outside, Haim Tebeka waits for his wife's and daughter's release. Their other two children remain in Palo Alto, where friends are caring for them.

"Everyone has been amazingly nice," he said, and he understands why the government has to quarantine his wife and daughter.

Tebeka said she is also "very grateful" that the government evacuated them and for the care they have received.

When she is released, she will do two things: "See my children in Palo Alto who have been without their parents for two weeks and donate masks to Beijing."

There's one more thing: "To have a Shabbat meal with my family. I can't wait for that," she said.

Find comprehensive coverage on the Midpeninsula's response to the new coronavirus by the Almanac, Mountain View Voice and Palo Alto Online here.

Comments

Blarryg
Greenmeadow
on Feb 9, 2020 at 7:59 am
Blarryg, Greenmeadow
on Feb 9, 2020 at 7:59 am

When the time comes: Welcome back!


Mike
Adobe-Meadow
on Feb 10, 2020 at 11:02 am
Mike, Adobe-Meadow
on Feb 10, 2020 at 11:02 am

March Air Reserve Base is not in a "remote desert location". It right next to the 215 Freeway between Riverside and San Diego. Hope they get out soon.


Quarantine procedures?
Menlo Park
on Feb 10, 2020 at 9:20 pm
Quarantine procedures?, Menlo Park
on Feb 10, 2020 at 9:20 pm

I just read that one in this group has now been diagnosed with nCoV. Not to be callous, but the primary concern must be protection of the populace, not these folks’ comfort and getting them home. Questions that arise:
1. Can the Almanac confirm that their quarantine timer has restarted and these folks won’t be released Feb. 11th?
2. Will these folks be segregated from one another and held in quarantine on a rolling 14 day clock until no further cases are identified within the group?
3. What are the details of the isolation procedures being used both within the group and with external personnel?
4. The article indicated that quarantine subjects had been transported to a hospital twice and only after the second transport was the diagnosis made. What are the details of that transport procedure (protections for transport and medical personnel, isolation during transport, isolation in the hospital including prior to confirmed diagnosis, decontamination procedures, additional isolation of persons in contact with the diagnosed subject, ...)?


Quarantine procedures?
Menlo Park
on Feb 10, 2020 at 9:45 pm
Quarantine procedures?, Menlo Park
on Feb 10, 2020 at 9:45 pm

Correction. The infected evacuee arrived on a flight into San Diego and appears to have been a quarantined on a different base. Questions remain, however, about the isolation and screening processes being used in all of these quarantine locations as the article makes it sound like Mrs. Tebeka was able to roam the base and interact directly with uniformed personnel before being stopped and directed to return to the quarantine facility.


Resident
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Feb 11, 2020 at 1:49 am
Resident, Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Feb 11, 2020 at 1:49 am

As interesting as this is with nuts and bolts information, this is serious and can possibly be an indicator of how things will be to those who have returned from infected areas. Globally, plans are in place and health authorities in worldwide countries dealing with their own homeward bound travelers from infected areas.

While we can have sympathy and compassion, the truth is that if this is really going to be dealt with, the health authorities have to take this quarantine serious. Basic food, hygiene and decent wifi and entertainment as well as something like exercise will be necessary in the quarantine facilities, but the questions raised above particularly if any virus does occur in the contaminated facilities, we must not allow a drop in caution.

The reality is here. It can be beaten, but only if everyone follows the rules.


Unfortunately
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Feb 11, 2020 at 4:16 pm
Unfortunately, Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Feb 11, 2020 at 4:16 pm

The media is implying that every traveller from China is quarantined but that is not true, only the ones from Wuhan are in mandatory quarantine. There are two Chinese airlines still flying into our country, I know someone who landed in SFO last week. They only have to self-quarantine. Do you trust a whole plane full to self-quarantine? The virus can stay on a doorknob for 9 days!


Barry Wong
Menlo Park
on Feb 11, 2020 at 4:35 pm
Barry Wong, Menlo Park
on Feb 11, 2020 at 4:35 pm

>>> The media is implying that every traveller from China is quarantined but that is not true, only the ones from Wuhan are in mandatory quarantine.

^^^ Correct. During the first week of the outbreak, nearly 1 million Chinese evacuated Wuhan & are now scattered over various parts of China.

That is why the government is so concerned.

Travelers from China are not going to disclose that they are/were from Wuhan so it is best not to allow any of them into the United States at this time.


member
Fletcher Middle School
on Feb 11, 2020 at 5:43 pm
member, Fletcher Middle School
on Feb 11, 2020 at 5:43 pm

I know of one person who flew in from Beijing who said that the entire flight of people took Tylenol one hour before landing so that they do not exhibit high temperatures if there is a scan at SFO. How does the county trust that the disease is still not spreading within the county???


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