The Five Reasons Why I’ve Chosen to Stay in a Country That Is On the Brink of a COVID-19 Outbreak
By: Liana Buenaventura
Tags: Indonesia, Expat, Covid-19, Bali, Coronavirus

March 21, 2020

A month ago my friends and I were going about our lives as normal here in Bali. Sure, once in a while we’d check on what was happening outside of our bubble, and sometimes we’d mention Coronavirus in a passing convo. We’d even joke about how we prefer Bintang (the Indonesian beer) instead of Corona anyway.

We understood that COVID-19 was an issue; we knew people were getting sick in other countries, and we saw fewer Chinese tourists on the island. Yet, we (like most of the world) had no idea of the severity of the situation. We continued with our very fun mass parties, very difficult group workouts and very quick visa runs to Australia/Singapore/Malaysia. There was just no way we could fathom that “THAT issue” was going to become “OUR issue”.

It was only when it started hitting our motherlands of the UK, Australia, Canada, the US, and Ireland that we started taking it seriously.

Within the past week, things have escalated quickly in Indonesia and in the province of Bali (though still not quickly or seriously enough for many).

As of the time of this writing, Indonesia has 369 reported cases — 32 of them fatal. One week ago, the country reportedly only had 34 cases and one death (in Bali, no less). However, these numbers are raising eyebrows given the inaccuracy of reported cases, the little testing and contact tracing taking place, and the fact that travel regulations have only recently been implemented.

The hard truth: we’re not quite sure what the actual numbers are, especially when it comes to TRUE Cases (what is truly happening vs. what authorities know), or how quickly it’s spreading throughout this 17,000 island archipelago.

Most of my friends who came to Bali within the past year in hopes of making it their home have recently left for their “actual home”, purchasing whatever tickets they could at any cost as they seek the comfort and security of their homeland before borders closed. Who knows how long they’ll be gone or if they’ll ever return.

Most tourists have also left, leaving the island super quiet as bars, clubs, gyms and tourist attractions are starting to close, and restaurants are starting to serve takeaway/delivery only. Hotels, drivers and guides are already feeling the effects.

So, why am I still here?

First, I want to be clear: I respect that each individual person has a threshold of when they feel safe, secure and supported.

Personally, it’s been an interesting self-exploration over the past week, learning what my limits are. I have been practicing deeper meditations and inner observation and can admit that:

Yes, I wonder what will happen in the event I do contract the virus and how/if the Indonesian healthcare system will be able to support me. My expat insurance has already assured their customers that we’re covered in the event of COVID-19, but I wonder how I would manage that AND my recovery when I’m here all alone.

what will happen in the event I do contract the virus and how/if the Indonesian healthcare system will be able to support me. My expat insurance has already assured their customers that we’re covered in the event of COVID-19, but I wonder how I would manage that AND my recovery when I’m here all alone. Yes, I am uncertain about the long-term business and cashflow effects, especially as I was just temporarily laid off from one consulting gig yesterday and another major project has been put on hold.

about the long-term business and cashflow effects, especially as I was just temporarily laid off from one consulting gig yesterday and another major project has been put on hold. And yes, of course, I‘m curious to see how lonely I’ll get if I had to self-isolate for two weeks with little work to do.

Notice the difference in these feelings and observations though: I’m “wondering”, “uncertain” and “curious”.

I can wholeheartedly say that I don’t feel scared, unsafe or unsupported in Bali at this time — despite knowing the number of cases will grow and that social distancing and more serious suppression measures will come into place.

Going back to Canada was never an option that entered my mind and after a lot of reflection, I now know why:

1. Because I Want to Be Sensible and Rational

I’ve been quietly watching developments unfold, and the past day has really given me hope that Bali is starting to take suppression measures seriously.

Three days ago, there was a sentiment from many in the expat community that businesses were slow-moving, ignorant or selfish in regard to COVID-19. I get it: it’s hard not to take it personally when you don’t feel a business or the government has your safety and well-being in mind.

But as of yesterday, many popular businesses have announced their closures/limited service, with some of the biggest social media accounts like GuGuide creating action plans and digital tools to help support them and get their message out.

Things are starting to move quicker now, and I realized today: what others thought was inaction was actually more consideration given the information and instructions available. As a business, you’re not just looking out for your customers and bottom line — you’re also looking out for your staff and community. There is a lot to consider, as Tomas Pueyo stated in his fantastic post Coronavirus: The Hammer and the Dance:

Understand that this is a numbers game in which we need to learn as fast as possible where we are on “R” [the transmission rate], the impact of every measure on reducing R, and their social and economic costs. Only then will they be able to make a rational decision on what measures they should take.

Such decisions during such an uncertain event can take a day or two to finalize and get out to the masses. As customers, patience and refraining from judgment are key to not evoking panic and creating clarity for decisions and a way forward. And, really: if you don’t agree with how a business is handling the situation, then you can always choose not to support it.

2. Because I Can’t See the Benefits of Seeking “Refuge” Somewhere Else

Sixteen countries have more cases today than Hubei did when it went under lockdown, including Canada. The US has more cases than Italy when it ordered the lockdown, and experts are predicting the true number of UK cases to be 180,000 vs. the 3,355 reported ones.

All this and none of these countries have implemented strict suppression policies — only suggestions and recommendations, with very few mandates.

Given we’re in the same position here in Indonesia, I just don’t see the value in travelling around the world for nearly 24 hours, only to potentially infect others or myself, then go into quarantine once I got to Canada. Epidemiologists are predicting that within the coming year, 40 to 70 percent of people around the world will be infected with the virus so really, I’m just as much at risk here in Bali as I am in Canada.

As well, I know that isolation in Canada would be a lot lonelier and I would be much more anxious and unsettled — an energy that I simply don’t want to hold space for or pass along to others.

3. Because I Want to Continue to Support this Economy

In a province where 80 percent of its GDP is based on tourism, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are going to be far-reaching and long-lasting. Many people will lose their jobs (some in the hospitality industry are already only working half-day shifts now), and if I can help offset that until the situation stabilizes, I’m all for it. In short, I don’t want to spend my money elsewhere right now because I want to continue supporting some of the most caring, warm, hardworking and peaceful people I’ve ever met.

4. Because I Want to Help Lead Others

To be clear: I’m not downplaying the severity of the virus. As someone with a weaker immune system, I’m the first to admit that there’s a slightly higher chance I will get the virus — and if I do, it will suck and it will hurt (even the common flu can knock me out for an entire week). That said, as a healthy adult with no serious health issues, I do wholeheartedly believe I can beat it if I do get it (*knock on wood).

The bottom line is that no one can say for sure where, when, or even IF this will happen. The same goes for creating anxiety surrounding potential civil unrest, worries about personal safety, and negatively characterizing various groups of people — when none of this has even happened. Making decisions based on stories I create in my head is a waste of energy and a detriment to my overall wellbeing — and is contagious to those around me.

So, I choose to lead with positive thoughts vs. alarmist ones, being calm and rational vs. overly emotional and being responsible vs. over-reactive.

5. Because Bali IS home — for better or worse, in sickness and in health

I’ve been living in Bali for over a year now, am considered a non-resident of Canada, and have only been back for a total of seven weeks over the past 13 months. During those visits, I felt like a stranger in my own motherland; I had a hard time staying present because I knew my heart and being was no longer thriving in Canada.

So, when I moved, I came with an open mind and heart, ready to embrace and accept every part of living here — I wanted to grow and learn more about who I was. I learned how to drive a scooter (on the left-side to boot!), dealt with visa and immigration policies, made my villa my home, and found out the hard way that I need to check on my electricity meter more often (or wake up to a fridge full of food that had gone bad through the night).

The growth and lessons over the past year have been immeasurable. And I believe they will only multiply through this unique time.

I learned the importance of having a family here — not just a tribe of expat friends or visitors that come and go, but locals and residents you know you can truly count on in difficult times. My support system in Bali is strong.

When I decided to make this island my new home, I made a full commitment to it and to my growth — for better or worse, in sickness and in health — and I am not about to abandon it now.