Story and Interviews by Trish Pickelhaupt
Videos and Photos by Mizuka Yasuda
Mizuka Yasuda, a 3rd year, Industrial Design major, was working as a Resident Advisor and attending classes at RIT when the Coronavirus arrived and has seen a dramatic change in her life. As an international student, she was encouraged by her parents to return to her home in Vietnam, as they feared that she could be negatively affected by travel bans and other consequences of COVID-19. After saying goodbye to her partner, who lives in the United States, and packing her belongings, Mizuka boarded a plane back to Vietnam, where she was greeted with an order to remain for 15 days at a government-regulated quarantine facility. Aware of the historical importance of her stay, Yasuda took it upon herself to document her experience via Instagram stories. Below is a day-by-day record of her quarantine.
Day 0 – Travel
Day 1 – Outfitted
Day 2 – Somber
Day 3 – Settling In
Day 4 – Back to School
Day 5 – Heat
Day 6 – Observations
Day 7 – PSA
Day 8 – Thank you
Day 9 – Testing
Day 10 – Milk and Games
Day 12 – Extended Stay
Day 13 – Testing 2
Day 14 – Extention
Day 15 – Going Home
Reflections
