Epicenter empathy

Chinese students share concerns and hopes for their country amid coronavirus outbreak

BY BROOKE GURYN

Coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, has caused travel suspension, sickness and deaths around the world, according to various news sources. Since China was the epicenter of the outbreak, Chinese students shared fears of judgment and encouraged people to reach out to their friends who may be concerned for family back in China.

YuanYuan Lyn, a sophomore from China majoring in hospitality and tourism management, shared, “I am worried about my family. If my family happened to get sick, I would want to go home right away, but I am not allowed to. I [probably] wouldn’t be able to come back [if I did.]”

Student concerns

Lijuan Du, an exchange student in the Asian Executive Management Program from China, said her husband and daughter are in China at this time. She described her worry and concern, especially for her young daughter. she said they are confined at home until further notice.

Du said she has “gratitude to all the people who have shown kindness and for the members of The Church of Jesus Christ who have prayed for the people who are suffering from the coronavirus.”

According to Deseret News, the Church has sent medical supplies to China, like protective gear, masks, coveralls and goggles. “I am moved by the medical supplies donated by the Church,” said Du.

She also said, “I am looking forward to the day when everyone can hold hands again and be one with another. We are all human beings and can conquer all difficulties together.”

10 KE ALAKA’I Lyn shared, “The problem is there are people thinking all Chinese people have coronavirus. People think it is not just a virus but a ‘Chinese virus.’ That is [generalizing] a whole country, not just a person.”

Sunny Wong, a senior from Malaysia majoring in business management with an emphasis in human resources and organizational behavior, said he wants students to know “we are going against the virus, ... not [against] the Chinese people ... we are against the virus, not the person or race.”

The concern, shared by students at first, was the shortage of masks in their countries. “Students are buying masks and sending them home,” said Wong.

Suffering in silence

Wong said, “I think on the outside [students] seem calm. But on the inside, they're panicking. Their families are at home and [the students] are safe, but their families are not. I feel like it would be stressful for them because they have to study, do exams and worry about home,”

Another country being directly impacted by the coronavirus is Hong Kong. Government officials were denying suspending the border to and from mainland China. According to Time Magazine, “thousands of hospital staff joined an escalating strike aimed at pressuring the government into sealing the border with mainland China.”

According to South China Morning Post, “On February 8, 2020, the Hong Kong government closed most of its land borders with the nearby Chinese mainland, and ordered anyone crossing those which remained open to undergo two-week quarantines as part of an overall effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus that first emerged in central China.”

Wong, a former missionary in Hong Kong, has friends on campus but also in Hong Kong who she said are suffering.

“It has been hectic for them. They had the protest and now the virus. It’s been a long and rough end of last year and [following] into this year.”

According to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases map, created by Johns Hopkins Center for Systems Science and Engineering, the amount of cases of the coronavirus in Hong Kong is increasing. As of March 19, there are 208 cases.

Hope is not lost

Students are being impacted directly by the effects of the virus, but they said hope is not lost. Zi Wei Wang, a sophomore from China majoring in computer science, said she had planned on going home to her family. She said her family has been her biggest supporters through this trial.

“When I told my family, I may not be able to come, they were sad but understanding,” said Wang.

She further explained how “I have found more peace because the Church sent medical supplies to China. That [reminds] me the Lord and the members of the Church do care about all people around the world.”

Lyn shared, “People just need a friend to listen to them...Don’t judge the Chinese people because of the virus. We are human as well ... Just be nice to the people around you.”

“The problem is there are people thinking all Chinese people have coronavirus. People think it is not just a virus but a ‘Chinese virus.’ That is [generalizing] a whole country, not just a person.” -YuanYuan Lyn

She also encouraged blessings from bishops regarding the matter and said it will bring peace to the students.

Jaime Zhang, a freshman from China majoring in business management, also shared words of hope and encouragement. “My thoughts are ‘stay calm.’ ... [Our] friends and family will be okay. They will take care of themselves. Wear a mask and stay inside. Stay relaxed because when you’re scared, it can scare your family. When your family’s calm, everything will [be just fine.]”

Thoughts outside the box

Wong said he reads The Wall Street Journal, and he came across comments regarding the coronavirus. One particular comment was, “Why didn’t the people stay in their own country?”

He explained how, “If you were in Wuhan, China, the virus is [spreading] and the government hadn’t locked the city, you would run for your life.

“Once the citiy is locked down, you have a higher risk of getting the virus.

“When you feel panic and you’re afraid of death, you are human. You will run away to different countries to possibly stay with family and friends in those countries.”

“[For] me, you can’t really blame them. People may think they are selfish. But when it’s your turn and your family, what would you do?” • Students said despite being scared, they find hope in their families. Photo by Anna Shvets.