中文 FRANÇAIS
Home     Nation      World      Business      Opinion      Lifestyle      ChinAfrica      Multimedia      Columnists      Documents      Special Reports
ChinAfrica
The Audacity of Hope
A Zambian student shares his experience in China during the novel coronavirus epidemic
By Abel Hara  ·2020-02-13

Staff at an airport in Jiangxi Province check body temperature of travelers on February 11 to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus pneumonia (XINHUA)

In recent weeks, not only has the news of novel coronavirus outbreak in China become an international concern but the declaration of the ongoing epidemic as a global health emergency by the World Health Organization has set the eyes of the world on China in general and Wuhan, the city worst affected, in particular.

As an international medical student currently living in Ganzhou, east China’s Jiangxi Province neighboring Hubei Province, of which Wuhan is the capital, I have experienced firsthand some degree of the tension and concern being expressed worldwide in view of this “new” strain of coronavirus. My take on this situation is primarily through the lens of my life as an international student.

Owing to the current lack of an approved vaccine, the current steps being taken by local authorities primarily involve detection of suspected cases and isolation, followed by treatment of symptoms so as to prevent severe illness.

University campuses across China have announced lockdowns owing to fear of the spread of the virus. Initially, my concern was to acquire more masks and follow the given guidelines. As masks started to run out of stock due to high demand, it became apparent that staying at home was necessary, and this caused a disruption in the normal rhythm of daily life in my city. At first, I was frustrated and worried; this was hardly the winter vacation I had envisioned earlier. While I have not had any health problems during this period, I was concerned about how to keep a positive outlook and not drown in anxiety owing to the constant flood of news from international and local platforms. As a student of healthcare, I think the efforts that have been made in China thus far can at least contain the spread of the virus.

I had to constantly reassure my family back home in Zambia of my well-being and let them know that while the reality on the ground is serious, I am certainly not taking it lightly; I am taking all the necessary precautions in this regard. My university, Gannan Medical University, made significant efforts to ensure that international students were not only protected but also provided for during this epidemic. Initially, I could go out (wearing masks) and buy some basic food supplies from the local supermarkets in the school vicinity. Then, stricter measures were taken. The university arranged a local cook to cook for us to ensure that a varied and nutritious food menu was made available for the students like me who had stayed on the campus.

My university also conducts daily health checks to ensure the safety of students who are still on campus, and while this was worrying at first, over time it has become oddly reassuring. I gained courage to not wallow in fear and worry but to stay alert and informed.

As time continued to pass by, I observed a positive trend concerning the current epidemic. It appeared to restore a sense of hope among people as a whole. In difficult times, people often turn to what makes them feel anchored; they tend to realize what truly matters. Lines of communication that had hitherto been dormant began to reemerge, giving people an excuse to check on each other and restore healthy communication among friends and family. It also revealed the resilience of the Chinese people for the whole world to see.

The lockdown has also been a gift in disguise in that it has availed many people the chance to pause from their daily routines and avoid escaping their inner thoughts, and to really think about their mortality and value of life even more.

I stand with the Chinese people amidst this hard time. While a lot is out of my immediate control, I can be a person that spreads hope and sends positive signals in a really difficult period.

The truth is, while to many watching from the safety of other countries, Wuhan is just “some place” that is far removed from their daily lives, to the local people and those of us who currently work or study here, this is our home.

(The author is a Zambian student living in China)

About Us    |    Contact Us    |    Advertise with Us    |    Subscribe
Copyright Beijing Review All rights reserved 京ICP备08005356号-5 京公网安备110102005860
Chinese Dictionary: