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| ‘Astronaut’ Families Stressed by Straddling 2 Worlds: China and Canada | ‘Astronaut’ Families Stressed by Straddling 2 Worlds: China and Canada |
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| VANCOUVER — Bonnie Ye, 42, left China four years ago to marry a Vancouver man she met on a Chinese matchmaking website. Soon, her husband was shuttling between China and two homes in Vancouver, leaving her alone for long stretches to care for their young daughter. Now, the two are divorced. | VANCOUVER — Bonnie Ye, 42, left China four years ago to marry a Vancouver man she met on a Chinese matchmaking website. Soon, her husband was shuttling between China and two homes in Vancouver, leaving her alone for long stretches to care for their young daughter. Now, the two are divorced. |
| Valerie Ng, 19, was so distraught as a child when her father left Vancouver to go work in Hong Kong, she bit his ear until it bled. But she and her mother came to dread his sporadic visits home: He was a “yeller.” After Valerie finishes college, her mother hopes to return to Hong Kong while her daughter plans to remain in Canada. | Valerie Ng, 19, was so distraught as a child when her father left Vancouver to go work in Hong Kong, she bit his ear until it bled. But she and her mother came to dread his sporadic visits home: He was a “yeller.” After Valerie finishes college, her mother hopes to return to Hong Kong while her daughter plans to remain in Canada. |
| These are just two of the “astronaut families” who have made Vancouver a global hub for tens of thousands of people whose lives straddle Canada and China. They are known as “astronauts” because at least one parent — usually the father — spends so much time in the air, flying to and from mainland China, Hong Kong or Taiwan to financially support the family. | These are just two of the “astronaut families” who have made Vancouver a global hub for tens of thousands of people whose lives straddle Canada and China. They are known as “astronauts” because at least one parent — usually the father — spends so much time in the air, flying to and from mainland China, Hong Kong or Taiwan to financially support the family. |
| Drawn by Canada’s education system, passports for their children and a refuge outside authoritarian China for cash and kin, these transnational migrants are transforming the social fabric of Vancouver and pumping billions of dollars into the local economy while creating challenges for families pulled between two continents and two cultures. | Drawn by Canada’s education system, passports for their children and a refuge outside authoritarian China for cash and kin, these transnational migrants are transforming the social fabric of Vancouver and pumping billions of dollars into the local economy while creating challenges for families pulled between two continents and two cultures. |
| “The fathers in Asia can become lonely and marriages are imperiled, wives face the stresses of managing a household alone, and the children can become spoiled when money and cars are substituted for the lack of parental presence,” said Prof. David Ley, an emeritus professor of geography at the University of British Columbia and author of a book on the subject, “Millionaire Migrants.” | “The fathers in Asia can become lonely and marriages are imperiled, wives face the stresses of managing a household alone, and the children can become spoiled when money and cars are substituted for the lack of parental presence,” said Prof. David Ley, an emeritus professor of geography at the University of British Columbia and author of a book on the subject, “Millionaire Migrants.” |
| Now that the government has told Canadians not to travel outside the country because of the coronavirus epidemic, living between Canada and China has become even more fraught and difficult. | Now that the government has told Canadians not to travel outside the country because of the coronavirus epidemic, living between Canada and China has become even more fraught and difficult. |
| Immigrant advocates say the coronavirus’s roots in China also threaten to fan discriminatory behavior toward Vancouver’s large Chinese population. | Immigrant advocates say the coronavirus’s roots in China also threaten to fan discriminatory behavior toward Vancouver’s large Chinese population. |
| The astronaut family phenomenon in Vancouver began in the late 1980s and early 1990s when Hong Kong residents flocked there ahead of the territory’s handover to China. Successive waves of astronaut families also came from Taiwan and mainland China, with the affluence necessary to support this global lifestyle. | The astronaut family phenomenon in Vancouver began in the late 1980s and early 1990s when Hong Kong residents flocked there ahead of the territory’s handover to China. Successive waves of astronaut families also came from Taiwan and mainland China, with the affluence necessary to support this global lifestyle. |
| By 2007, a study by the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of British Columbia found that two-thirds of male migrants to Canada from Hong Kong between the ages of 25 and 44 lived and worked outside Canada. | By 2007, a study by the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of British Columbia found that two-thirds of male migrants to Canada from Hong Kong between the ages of 25 and 44 lived and worked outside Canada. |
| The influx of these cosmopolitan immigrants, with multiple passports and high incomes, has created a cottage industry to serve the astronaut lifestyle. | The influx of these cosmopolitan immigrants, with multiple passports and high incomes, has created a cottage industry to serve the astronaut lifestyle. |
| There are help lines to advise women how to cope with single parent child-rearing, psychologists to counsel adolescents suffering feelings of abandonment, and vacant home monitoring services that will change exterior decorations each month, trim hedges or even leave shoes outside a house to make it look like a family is home. | There are help lines to advise women how to cope with single parent child-rearing, psychologists to counsel adolescents suffering feelings of abandonment, and vacant home monitoring services that will change exterior decorations each month, trim hedges or even leave shoes outside a house to make it look like a family is home. |
| Vancouver has also become a North American hub for ownership of ultraluxury cars valued at $150,000 or more, with sales driven, in part, by new wealth from China. There are also lawyers on call to defend the “astronaut teenagers” who break the law in their superfast rides. | Vancouver has also become a North American hub for ownership of ultraluxury cars valued at $150,000 or more, with sales driven, in part, by new wealth from China. There are also lawyers on call to defend the “astronaut teenagers” who break the law in their superfast rides. |
| Chris Johnson, a Vancouver-based lawyer, recalled advising one young client, who kept crashing his yellow Lamborghini, to get rid of his flashy car. Instead, the 20-something, whose father lived in China, traded it in for a gray Lamborghini. | Chris Johnson, a Vancouver-based lawyer, recalled advising one young client, who kept crashing his yellow Lamborghini, to get rid of his flashy car. Instead, the 20-something, whose father lived in China, traded it in for a gray Lamborghini. |
| This flaunting of wealth, and the dangers posed by speeding young people, has become a point of contention in Vancouver, but gripes over soaring housing costs remain even more intense in this real estate-obsessed city, with foreign homeowners blamed, in part, for bidding up prices. | This flaunting of wealth, and the dangers posed by speeding young people, has become a point of contention in Vancouver, but gripes over soaring housing costs remain even more intense in this real estate-obsessed city, with foreign homeowners blamed, in part, for bidding up prices. |
| Vancouver has become among the most unaffordable cities in North America, stoking resentment against astronaut migrants in the city, said Andy Yan, an urban planner at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. | Vancouver has become among the most unaffordable cities in North America, stoking resentment against astronaut migrants in the city, said Andy Yan, an urban planner at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. |
| “Race and class and income inequality are converging with the proliferation of ultrawealthy astronaut families in Vancouver,” Mr. Yan said. | “Race and class and income inequality are converging with the proliferation of ultrawealthy astronaut families in Vancouver,” Mr. Yan said. |
| The British Columbia authorities, concerned about the housing cost issue, have introduced a host of measures, including taxes on foreign homeowners and on the sprawling, empty houses that dot wealthy neighborhoods. | The British Columbia authorities, concerned about the housing cost issue, have introduced a host of measures, including taxes on foreign homeowners and on the sprawling, empty houses that dot wealthy neighborhoods. |
| These moves, combined with efforts by China to enforce limits on the amount of money leaving the country, have been helping to slow the escalation of Vancouver’s home prices and temper some of the displeasure among city residents. | These moves, combined with efforts by China to enforce limits on the amount of money leaving the country, have been helping to slow the escalation of Vancouver’s home prices and temper some of the displeasure among city residents. |
| Many astronaut families reside in Richmond, a city near Vancouver’s airport with a large Chinese-speaking population, rows of large houses and sprawling shopping malls with signs in Chinese. | Many astronaut families reside in Richmond, a city near Vancouver’s airport with a large Chinese-speaking population, rows of large houses and sprawling shopping malls with signs in Chinese. |
| On a recent afternoon at a food court there, Ms. Ye, the woman who divorced her husband, lamented the sacrifices the astronaut lifestyle had entailed for her and her daughter Lily, 6, who sat quietly drawing in a coloring book. | On a recent afternoon at a food court there, Ms. Ye, the woman who divorced her husband, lamented the sacrifices the astronaut lifestyle had entailed for her and her daughter Lily, 6, who sat quietly drawing in a coloring book. |
| After she gave birth to Lily in China in 2013, her husband sponsored her and her daughter to emigrate to Canada. But she said things quickly soured, with her husband often away. While in China, he rented out several properties there, becoming prosperous and buying two homes in Vancouver. | After she gave birth to Lily in China in 2013, her husband sponsored her and her daughter to emigrate to Canada. But she said things quickly soured, with her husband often away. While in China, he rented out several properties there, becoming prosperous and buying two homes in Vancouver. |
| Despite his wealth, she said when he was in Vancouver he worked in low-end jobs as a waiter or in a supermarket in order to earn just enough money to maintain his permanent residency status. Taking low-skilled jobs to keep residency status is not uncommon among astronaut families when the breadwinner can’t find more lucrative work. | Despite his wealth, she said when he was in Vancouver he worked in low-end jobs as a waiter or in a supermarket in order to earn just enough money to maintain his permanent residency status. Taking low-skilled jobs to keep residency status is not uncommon among astronaut families when the breadwinner can’t find more lucrative work. |
| After her husband blamed her for not giving birth to a son, the two divorced. She has no long-term interest in staying in Vancouver. | After her husband blamed her for not giving birth to a son, the two divorced. She has no long-term interest in staying in Vancouver. |
| “The only reason I stay in Canada is for my daughter. As soon as she receives her Canadian citizenship, I’ll go back to China,” she said. | “The only reason I stay in Canada is for my daughter. As soon as she receives her Canadian citizenship, I’ll go back to China,” she said. |
| Updated June 5, 2020 | Updated June 5, 2020 |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. | Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. |
| Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. | Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. |
| States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. | Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. |
| The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. | The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
| Queenie Choo, chief executive officer of Success, a Vancouver-based social services organization helping new immigrants, including many from China, said the transnational lifestyle created insecurities and a loss of intimacy for families divided by an ocean. | Queenie Choo, chief executive officer of Success, a Vancouver-based social services organization helping new immigrants, including many from China, said the transnational lifestyle created insecurities and a loss of intimacy for families divided by an ocean. |
| “The husbands who live overseas in China are like migrating penguins who go to search for food for their families,” Ms. Choo said. | “The husbands who live overseas in China are like migrating penguins who go to search for food for their families,” Ms. Choo said. |
| In addition to feeling isolated, the wives left behind can also experience culture shock when their Canadian teenagers turn their backs on Chinese culture or defy parental authority, Ms. Choo said. | In addition to feeling isolated, the wives left behind can also experience culture shock when their Canadian teenagers turn their backs on Chinese culture or defy parental authority, Ms. Choo said. |
| But some of these women also report finding a sense of liberation, in particular those from more patriarchal families, Professor Ley said. | But some of these women also report finding a sense of liberation, in particular those from more patriarchal families, Professor Ley said. |
| “When you asked, ‘What is stressing you?’ some replied it was when their husbands returned home from China,” he said. | “When you asked, ‘What is stressing you?’ some replied it was when their husbands returned home from China,” he said. |
| Some families find the separation too much to bear, and abandon the astronaut lifestyle. | Some families find the separation too much to bear, and abandon the astronaut lifestyle. |
| Eson Zeng, 46, said he felt lonely during the four years he spent apart from his wife and child, interacting with them only over WeChat, the Chinese social media site, during months of separation. He now works 12 hours a day at a Chinese food stand in Vancouver. | Eson Zeng, 46, said he felt lonely during the four years he spent apart from his wife and child, interacting with them only over WeChat, the Chinese social media site, during months of separation. He now works 12 hours a day at a Chinese food stand in Vancouver. |
| For the children of astronaut families, the lifestyle has challenges but also many benefits. | For the children of astronaut families, the lifestyle has challenges but also many benefits. |
| William Hou, a business student at the University of British Columbia, grew up in Richmond, with his father running an auto parts business in Beijing and spending every other six months in Vancouver. | William Hou, a business student at the University of British Columbia, grew up in Richmond, with his father running an auto parts business in Beijing and spending every other six months in Vancouver. |
| When in Vancouver, his father would refuse to answer him if he spoke English. His son resented it at the time. “I would say, ‘I am Canadian. Why do I need to speak Mandarin?’” Mr. Hou recalled. “But my father said, ‘You must not forget where you came from.’” | When in Vancouver, his father would refuse to answer him if he spoke English. His son resented it at the time. “I would say, ‘I am Canadian. Why do I need to speak Mandarin?’” Mr. Hou recalled. “But my father said, ‘You must not forget where you came from.’” |
| But Mr. Hou, a straight-A student, came to appreciate being multilingual. He credited his family situation for providing him with economic opportunities, a strong sense of independence and the ability to live comfortably in two different worlds. | But Mr. Hou, a straight-A student, came to appreciate being multilingual. He credited his family situation for providing him with economic opportunities, a strong sense of independence and the ability to live comfortably in two different worlds. |
| “I can feel at home in both Canada and China,” he said. “It’s an asset.” | “I can feel at home in both Canada and China,” he said. “It’s an asset.” |
| Winston Szeto contributed reporting. | Winston Szeto contributed reporting. |