China in the eyes of a Lebanese surgeon
中国驻黎巴嫩大使馆 Chinese Embassy in Lebanon
I have lived in this wonderful country for more than 13 years and witnessed considerable progress in simplifying the way of living and protecting its citizens. I remember when I came back to China after leaving it for only 6 years, I was more than shocked! I have never seen such big progress that happens in such a short time. QR codes have replaced cash, bus and metro cards were replaced by QR codes, as long as you have your phone you have everything you need for the day; streets are filled with a sufficient amount of bike-sharing such as ofo, car-sharing such as GoFun, umbrella-sharing such as Molisan. Everything was so easy and accessible. Unfortunately, now it is more known and heard of in the news due to novel coronavirus outbreak.
I have lived in China for so many years and I only see kindness and respect from them, never have I ever felt that I am a foreigner coming to seek refugee like how many other countries make us feel unfortunately. I’m sure many will agree with me whether they have lived in China for a while before or they only visited once. All these years I have always considered China as my second homeland, it is with deep sorrow and profound sadness to see how people are getting sick and infected with this virus.
COVID-19 started around December and announced around the Chinese new year when enough tests have confirmed what it was. Chinese New Year is one of the most important festivals in China where families gather in their hometown much like Lebanese Eid Al-Fitr. During that time, supermarkets shelves were emptied, vegetables all sold out and what is left is sold at a high price, some places didn’t even open. I felt the case must be serious and kept on searching to buy some essentials to store them for the apocalypse. To my surprise that was just Chinese buying to prepare big meals for the festival! That’s funny coming from a person who lived in China for such a long period.
COVID-19 was confirmed and on January 23rd Wuhan was isolated. The whole city was sealed, no one gets in no one comes out, the best way to contain a virus and protect those who were not infected. Isolated, yet universities in Wuhan are still providing meals and essentials for students with great care. Furthermore, to reduce the risk of infection, the government also told the citizens to avoid big gatherings and going to crowded places. They have also set rules where everyone should wear a mask when going out, those who don’t will be detained and fined, making it strict to remind citizens the importance of masks. Public places such as clubs, theaters, dance halls, and other cultural entertainment venues are also closed for this reason. I thought probably now everything will be closed and we will have to store food and essentials. To my surprise, the shops and supermarkets haven’t closed, instead had restored the supply to our demands at a normal cost and are seldom out of goods. Citizens only come out when necessary to buy food and essentials, trying best to abstain from going out not only to prevent infection but also to use less masks in order for the ones who need them most--medical teams to have more for themselv
Not only did the government prevent others from gathering spreading infection but it also educated the citizens very well. TVs and posters in underground metro, buses, taxis and public places play short videos and advertise ways of prevention, educating all the citizens anywhere anytime. Even cartoons were wearing a mask and educating children. Knowledge is power, schools have extended the vacation and replaced classes with online teaching with attendance as to not create a delay in education. While many countries might just wait till the situation gets better and kids return to classes.
On 25th, many hospitals have emptied some buildings to use them, especially for coronavirus patients. Many empty stadiums and building were also quickly furnished with all essential medical equipment and tuned into hospitals. On 26th, all working places such as office building, apartment building, supermarkets, universities, hospitals, metro stations, bus stations have body temperature checkpoints, making it easier for early detection and thus containing the spread. The police in some places also started to use drones to search for citizens in rural places to remind them to wear masks and stay at home as well as delivering masks and essentials to those who could not receive any.
Even though China is on vacation, many masks factories and sanitizing hand gel producers as well as protective clothing and medical equipment suppliers have returned to work. No other country but China can build a 60,000 square meters 1,000-bed hospital in just 9 days to handle the coronavirus epidemic in Wuhan, China, opened its doors to its first patients on February 3rd. A second hospital 80,000 square meters hospital with 1,600 beds built in 12 days. Manufacture in just 12 days 53 fully equipped ambulances with extra added machines needed for coronavirus treatment. Produce 773,000 corona test kit daily which is almost equivalent to 40 times the diagnosed cases at the moment. Around 20,000,000 masks are produced per day to keep up with the demands of the citizens and the medical team. Chinese all around the world donated masks, protective cloth, gloves and so on to support the medical teams fighting the coronavirus. Citizens only come out when necessary to buy food and essentials, trying best to abstain from going out. If this were to happen in any other country than China, there is no doubt that the virus will cause a more severe epidemic spread. If this were to happen in any other country than China, there is no doubt that the people will panic and not think as clearly in ways to solve the problem faster. If this were to happen in any other country than China, there is no doubt that its citizens abroad will pray that this will end soon rather than unite and help. If I want to continue mentioning all the great acts that the Chinese government and the Chinese people have done, then for sure this text will never end.
It breaks my heart to see a country with a population of 1.44 billion to have roads turn empty. A country that had streets and malls always full and crowded with people suddenly makes me realize how much I miss them. I have witnessed SARS, and now COVID-19. China's government's response to the coronavirus outbreak has been quick, and no other country could have given a better response. I have never seen a country whose citizens are as united as the Chinese are. With all this happening, I am very confident in China and its people because I know all Chinese are united as one no matter where they are!
祝中国早日度过疫情难关，中国将从这场苦难中崛起，走出这场疫情时将变得更加强大！中国加油, 明天你将更辉煌！中华儿女永远为你呐喊! 中华民族万众一心，没有过不去的坎。困难只是暂时的，迟早会过去，祖国加油！感谢攻关研制诊疗方案的专家们！ 一线的工作者你们辛苦了!
Mariya El Akkawi
Surgeon at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yet Sen University
Guangzhou, China.
Fady Tannous
Well said! 🙏🙏🙏❤️
Aya Elsaadi
Love the article cuz! Keep up the great work!
Maria Akkawi
Merci 🤗
Adnan Agha
علاج كورونا حبه البركه يانسون نعناع
