Chinese Crisis
Global Citizen
If you’ve kept up with China lately, you’ll see something a little more than your typical trade deal or Trump talk about how our relationship with them is. Instead, you’ll see information about the new Coronavirus that’s been spreading. So far there has been a reported 56 deaths. This is huge because not only do they have the country freaking out, but they also have the issue of it spreading. Besides those who have died, at least 1,975 more people have been infected. The scary part is not just the sheer number but also the fact that there may be more people who have not been officially reported as sick yet they still carry the virus and unknowingly inflict others with it.
A nationwide ban on wildlife trade is in place and more than 56 million people in almost 20 cities are affected by travel restrictions, which have been introduced amid fears the transmission rate will balloon as hundreds of millions of Chinese travel for the Lunar New Year celebrations. Unfortunately, as of today, there has already been confirmed cases in Europe, North America and several Asian countries as well.
Starting January 26, there will be certain measures taken by the Chinese government to battle and contain the outbreak of the Coronavirus. For starters, travel in and out of the province of Hubei, where the virus is believed to have started, will be limited or even prevented. Wuhan, a city of about 11 million and the capital of the Hubei province, has been under virtual lockdown amid intensifying efforts to contain the outbreak. Thankfully, the pressure on supplies of medical goods such as protective suits, masks and glasses had largely eased, thanks in part to increased private donations.
During this time of year, many people get sick and spread their sicknesses to others near them. According to the news, over half of Lincoln has gotten the flu. While you don’t need to be worried much about the Coronavirus, please take care of yourself against other illnesses and make sure that you’re not going to be falling under the flu epidemic here.
Wesley Rodriguez-Diep is a senior studying international relations.