Former Long Islander describes life in China amid coronavirus outbreak

Three-hundred Americans are back in the United States after being quarantined for nearly two weeks on a cruise ship in Japan due to the coronavirus. Fourteen of them have tested positive for the virus.

News 12 Staff

Feb 17, 2020, 10:15 PM

Updated 1,523 days ago

Share:

Three-hundred Americans are back in the United States after being quarantined for nearly two weeks on a cruise ship in Japan due to the coronavirus. Fourteen of them have tested positive for the virus.
A couple from Garden City on their honeymoon were among those who were stuck on the Diamond Princess Cruise.
PHOTOS: The impact of coronavirus around the world:
undefined

More than 450 people on the ship tested positive for the virus. Late last week, the U.S. government chartered two planes to pick up American citizens who were desperate to come home.
News 12's Eileen Lehpamer spoke via video chat with a Long Islander who now lives in Jinze, a Chinese village in the Shanghai district, that is currently under quarantine. It is an eight-hour drive from Wuhan, the center of the outbreak.
"Most of the streets are blocked with medical checkpoints where they will take your temperature," said Dylan Ebrahimian. "I see the older local people hanging out on the street like they always do, some without a face mask, but then at the same time you'll have people with the full scrubs on, walking around."
Ebrahimian, a Lattingtown musician who graduated Stony Brook University, and his wife say they're making the best of it.
"We are basically waiting at this point," said Ebrahimian. "We don't know when it's going to go back to normal."
The 14 Americans who flew home and are infected will have to be quarantined again in the U.S.
 


More from News 12
2:05
Long Island native ID’d as person who set himself on fire outside Trump trial in Manhattan

Long Island native ID’d as person who set himself on fire outside Trump trial in Manhattan

1:35
Cloudy start to the weekend before sun comes through

Cloudy start to the weekend before sun comes through

0:37
Officials: Wildlife rehabilitator took raccoons into her Merrick home without required rabies license

Officials: Wildlife rehabilitator took raccoons into her Merrick home without required rabies license

1:42
FBI on alert as Jewish Long Islanders prepare to celebrate Passover

FBI on alert as Jewish Long Islanders prepare to celebrate Passover

0:22
East Northport man sentenced to 23 years in prison for sexually abusing great niece

East Northport man sentenced to 23 years in prison for sexually abusing great niece

1:44
Islandia woman turns 106, offers secret to long life

Islandia woman turns 106, offers secret to long life

2:28
Islanders owner surprises fans with free playoff tickets

Islanders owner surprises fans with free playoff tickets

0:35
Calverton man pleads guilty to attempted murder charges related to opening fire at Bellport vigil

Calverton man pleads guilty to attempted murder charges related to opening fire at Bellport vigil

1:46
Alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer’s defense attorney demands information on other ‘top suspect’

Alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer’s defense attorney demands information on other ‘top suspect’

0:51
Baldwin students learn business skills with 'Little Lenox Bakery'

Baldwin students learn business skills with 'Little Lenox Bakery'

0:35
Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

1:46
Gov. Hochul announces harsher penalties for illegal smoke shops

Gov. Hochul announces harsher penalties for illegal smoke shops

2:10
News 12 provides tips on the do's and don'ts of recycling

News 12 provides tips on the do's and don'ts of recycling

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12

1:55
The Real Deal: How tipping trends have changed in the tri-state area

The Real Deal: How tipping trends have changed in the tri-state area

0:13
Officials: West Babylon home destroyed by fire

Officials: West Babylon home destroyed by fire

0:47
Cafe 217 provides students with autism chance for work experience at East Rockaway HS

Cafe 217 provides students with autism chance for work experience at East Rockaway HS

0:42
Community raises $12,000 for workers of Merrick bar closed due to fire

Community raises $12,000 for workers of Merrick bar closed due to fire

0:23
Police: Hempstead man stole parking meters near Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road

Police: Hempstead man stole parking meters near Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road