Stuck in China During Coronavirus Outbreak with Vincent McGarry

My guest is Vincent McGarry. He’s a Safety & Control Systems Engineer who was working on a large project in China when his team learned of Coronavirus. I’ve long referred to Vince as the smartest, most well-read man I know, so it’s a great pleasure to share him with listeners.

In this episode, we discuss what he was told about Coronavirus, where he was quarantined, and why he wasn’t allowed to return home. You’ll hear Vince describe what it was like being stopped by Chinese officials on his way to work, and why he was the only one left at his hotel (and couldn’t leave).

Also what Vince has learned about the world while traveling to countries with completely different cultures than America i.e. Saudi Arabia. He tells stories I’ve never heard before. (I’ve known Vince since I was a teenager—he’s been married to my mom for over 25 years.)

Topics we discuss:

Why Vince was in China
Protocols mandated by Chinese government after Coronavirus outbreak
Why he was stuck in China
Living in a ghost town
His daily activities in China (after Coronavirus outbreak)
A crazy experience he had in Saudi Arabia
Different ethics in the Middle East
The one guy he’ll never forget in the Middle East
Collecting shark teeth in the middle of the desert
Chernobyl disaster
Being raised in Michigan
Riots in Detroit in the 1960s
His dad’s role in World War II
His dad could discipline him with a look
Marriage advice for someone Brad’s age
Vince’s biggest parenting regret
His retirement plans
His ideal retirement job
Why he loves New Orleans
His favorite memories from childhood
Why he reads more now
How he chooses what to read
Most important thing I’ve learned from Vince

Questions asked:

Where were you the first time you heard about Coronavirus?
What were you thinking when Chinese officials stopped you on the way to work?
Was everyone wearing masks?
Were you then quarantined?
How long after you learned about Coronavirus did you stay in China?
Have there been any reports of folks in Yentai that have contracted the virus?
Where is the first foreign land that you visited and what was your experience?
What else did you see in China that was strange?
Is Michigan a great place to grow up?
Is there anything your dad taught you as a kid that really stuck with you?
Do you have any interesting stories about working in the nuclear industry?
When you retire, will there be a price tag that you put on yourself . . . [where you might, for example] . . . take a job in Russia . . . ?

Fun Questions:

If you were stuck on an island and could only have one album to listen to, what would it be?
Best concert you’ve ever been to?
If you had a chance to go to the moon tomorrow, but you had to be gone 6 months, and it would cost 10% of your retirement savings, would you go?
If someone dropped $1 million in your lap tomorrow, what would you do with it?

Listen here: