Dayton-area woman leaves China, describes food shortages, transportation shutdowns

A traveler waits with their bags in the international terminal of OHare International Airport in Chicago on Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. A Chicago woman is now the second patient in the United States found to be infected with the Wuhan coronavirus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Friday. (Taylor Glascock/The New York Times)

A traveler waits with their bags in the international terminal of OHare International Airport in Chicago on Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. A Chicago woman is now the second patient in the United States found to be infected with the Wuhan coronavirus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Friday. (Taylor Glascock/The New York Times)
Local News
By Kaitlin R Schroeder
Jan 29, 2020
X

A local woman said her family’s yearlong stay in China was cut short when they decided to come back early to avoid the coronavirus outbreak.

Holly Allen, who works for the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, had been living in Suzhou in the fall as part of her husband’s temporary move for work.

The family returned today and out of an abundance of caution are staying home at first.

MORE: Coronavirus impacts Dayton firm’s China operation

“We’re just concerned about our friends who are back there and how long is this is going to go on,” Allen said.

For the Chinese New Year break, Allen said the family had been on vacation in Singapore and Thailand and when they returned the people who were still in town were all wearing masks.

“We basically just barricaded ourselves in our apartment,” Allen said.

They made the decision to leave Monday and bought their tickets on Tuesday.

She said there’s starting to be shortages in grocery stores where they were and public transportation in has been shut down.

MORE: Ohio takes proactive novel coronavirus tracking step

Originally, her husband’s business called for them being in Suzhou for a full year.

“We will go back, but we’re going to watch and see when things have settled,” Allen said.

In Other News
1
Missing West Carrollton teen found safe
2
Dayton man indicted for murder; gunshot victim crashes car into pole
3
Fire at Centre City building downtown affects Holly Days
4
Springfield Haitian residents use public assistance like everybody...
5
NEW DETAILS: Wright State, Air Force extend campus work pact

About the Author