De-Sinicizing the Coronavirus

Xi Jinping and the Party want you to raise doubts of the coronavirus' origins

The Chinese Communist Party is busy at work -- not just fighting the coronavirus, but also spinning the story of where the virus came from.

Chinese embassies around the world have been instructed to say that "while the virus severely hit Wuhan, where it really originally came from is unknown. We are conducting new studies to locate the virus' true origin".

Chinese diplomats are calling COVID-19 the "Italian virus"

But some people will continue to insist on calling it the Wuhan coronavirus, even though China persuaded the WHO to name is COVID-19 in order to de-sinicize the virus.

The embassies are instructed to "raise doubts", suggesting the virus originated from somewhere else and not China, and that the diplomats should start calling it the "Japanese virus" or "Italian virus" or "Iranian virus".

The CCP is trying to make the claim that the virus that was first reported in China actually came from abroad to cover up the fact that the government delayed reporting the virus and the magnitude of the crisis until weeks later.

Case in point: the late Dr Li Wenliang reported this virulent unknown virus to his circle of colleagues on WeChat on December 30, and apparently Xi Jinping knew about the coronavirus spreading on January 7, but nothing was done about it until January 23 when Wuhan went under lockdown.

Dr Li Wenliang knew about the virus Dec 30

However, the CCP is spinning the lockdown as being successful, and that the rest of the world should "say thank you to China" for its reaction to the virus. The government is probably smirking behind its mask seeing the United States, Iran, Italy and South Korean unable to effectively contain the virus.

However, China should also keep in mind it needs the US and the rest of the world healthy to keep its economy going, so if the US is down, China's chances of restarting its economy on all cylinders is very slim...

Not News We were Hoping For

Professor Yuen says the coronavirus may not go away until the end of the year

If you thought the coronavirus would disappear in a few months, you will be horrified to find out one of Hong Kong's leading microbiologists says the epidemic will not end this year. We're only in the beginning of March.

To date Italy has over 7,300 cases, and 366 deaths

University of Hong Kong Professor Yuen Kwok-yung says COVID-19 has spread all over the world, making it very difficult to contain. And while the numbers of new cases seem to be slowing down in China, the epicenter of the virus, there are concerns about it being imported from other countries like Italy, South Korea, Iran.

While the virus may slow down in the summer, it could have a resurgence in the winter.

He believes the epidemic will not end until a cheap antiviral or vaccine is available, or the majority of the population had contracted the virus and developed a natural immunity.

Iran has over 6,500 confirmed cases, 237 deaths

Currently anyone flying into Hong Kong from Iran, the city of Daegu and surrounding North Gyeongsang province in South Korea, and three regions in Italy will have to undergo and mandatory 14-day quarantine.

The government is mulling over extending quarantine measures to people traveling from France and Germany.

Hong Kong now has 115 confirmed cases and two deaths.

And Yuen is also strongly suggesting people not to travel outside of Hong Kong until the end of the year. "When the epidemic is serious, avoid traveling to other places unless necessary," he says.

Time to stock up on more masks, toilet paper and sanitizer?

Yuen believes it is too early to tell if China will have the coronavirus under control by April as experts there have been predicting.

Does this mean we'll see more panic buying in the city for masks, rice, toilet paper, hand sanitizer and so on to last until December?

You have been warned...

Coronavirus Epidemic Surges Globally

Putting on a decorative mask for carnival and a mask to prevent coronavirus

The number of coronavirus cases around the world is accelerating, making people wonder if we are entering a pandemic.

It was shocking to hear of cases in Iran -- it was discovered on February 22 when a Canadian woman flew back to British Columbia who had flu-like symptoms and was later tested positive. And now Iran has at least 45 cases and 12 deaths.

Iranian women wearing masks and gloves for protection

Reports say patient zero was a merchant from Qom who regularly traveled to China, but because of the travel restrictions he flew around to different countries before getting to China and back. Patient zero has since died.

Most of the cases in Iran seem to be centered in Qom, with some unsubstantiated reports saying as many as 50 people have died there. The sudden spike in cases has raised panic in the country, where there is a lot of mistrust of the government.

Fear is also in Italy, where over 219 confirmed cases were recorded in northern Italy, in Lombardy and Veneto, near Venice. The authorities have shut down museums, schools, fairs, markets, and even cancelled the last day of the carnival in Venice.

South Korea has also seen a surge in cases too, of over 800, half of which are from the Shincheongji Church of Jesus, where apparently worshippers are not allowed to wear masks or glasses, and they must attend service even if they are sick, and after service must break out in groups for Bible study or go out and proselytize. Huh.

Tourists wear masks as they visit St Mark's Square in Venice

Several hundred confirmed cases and seven deaths in South Korea has prompted the Hong Kong government to issue a Red Outbound Travel Alert to the country. Starting from midnight tonight local authorities will not allow anyone to come into the city except for returning Hong Kong residents.

Any Hongkongers who have been in Daegu and North Gyeongsang province in the past 14 days will be subject to a 14-day quarantine in Fo Tan in the New Territories.

Seems strange the Hong Kong authorities would raise this travel alert for South Korea, but not for China which has the vast majority of the cases at over 77,000 and over 2,500 deaths...

Speaking of China, someone might have been sacked after an announcement was made lifting measures for people who are not Wuhan citizens with no symptoms to leave the city.

The Shincheongji Church of Jesus has been shut down

But four hours later the announcement was retracted, saying it has not been studied and approved by leaders, in other words Beijing.

China's internal communications are in disarray, and one wonders if the messenger overlooked telling the central government about this message before pressing the "send" button...

There are so many missteps happening -- many due to caught completely unprepared for the coronavirus possibly landing in their country to not advising residents the best way to protect themselves.

We are hardly out of the woods yet in this coronavirus epidemic...

Life Behind a Mask

Putting on a mask is a daily ritual just before going outside

Everyday just before stepping out the door, there is one more extra step to do -- don a mask.

Take out a fresh mask, fold the top part in half, press firmly on the bridge of the nose and then loop it around the ears, then pull the mask down to cover the chin.

It's been almost a month now since health experts warned of the coronavirus spreading to Hong Kong and imploring the public to wear surgical masks when out in public.

Almost everyone wears a mask in Hong Kong these days

What's it like? It's stifling in a mask, hard to breathe. I have to remind myself to take deep breaths otherwise you can work your body into a stressed state.

Practically everyone else is wearing a mask too, all of us concerned about the situation and hoping not to be swept up in the epidemic. There are now 70 cases in Hong Kong, over 77,000 worldwide.

Everyone is washing their hands more often these days. Washrooms in our office have illustrated signs at the sinks showing you how to wash your hands thoroughly. People stand there lathering up their hands longer and longer like a competition to see whose hands are cleaner.

Sadly, the coronavirus is now an excuse to overuse paper towels and tissues in the name of hygiene. The environment has had to take a backseat now and for how much longer?

A lot of people are buying more groceries and cooking at home, not wanting to risk going to a restaurant these days. Many don't even go to wet markets even for a minute, thinking they aren't as clean as supermarkets. Yes they can be crowded places, but so can supermarkets when everyone is fighting over toilet paper...!

There are signs explaining how to wash your hands properly

Speaking of which, some toilet paper is back on the shelves and tissue paper, but in my neighbourhood there's no paper towels. There are wet wipes, and pharmacies are selling small bottles of hand sanitizers at HK$45 (US$5.78) which is on the expensive side. Not many takers.

Many people who use the gym facilities in their apartment buildings aren't allowed to in the name of hygiene, while some people who belong to private gyms have suspended their memberships in the name of hygiene. But exercise is the best way to maintain good health especially during this time, which is why some people are running or walking outdoors -- with masks on in most cases.

It is believed the next few weeks are going to be critical to see if the coronavirus can be contained or not, but seeing how it has spread in Japan and South Korea, and strangely in Iran too, it doesn't look like this epidemic will be tamed anytime soon.

Supermarkets are busy with people buying lots of groceries

It's interesting that Chinese state media have warned Japan to clean up its coronavirus situation (over 100 cases, plus 600 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship) as President Xi Jinping will visit the country soon. And where did this epidemic originate from?

Meanwhile postmen from Hong Kong Post are getting kudos from residents who are finally receiving their packages of masks they had ordered from overseas. One was surprised to get a knock on the door on a Sunday to get their package, while others were so overjoyed on receiving their package of masks that they wept, and one even gave some masks to the postman.

Who knew masks would be so... special?

Germany's Humanitarian Dilemma

A timely reminder of Germany's constitution of opening its doors

I saw these banners posted in front of the Semperoper or opera house in Dresden:
Open our eyes.
Open our hearts.
Open our doors.
Human dignity is inviolable.

-- Article 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany

They immediately made me think of the Syrian, Iranian and Afghani refugees Germany took in since the summer of 2015, when thousands of them were stuck at Hungary's main train station. Today there are about 1.4 million of them in Germany, grateful to be safe from war and persecution.

Merkel visiting refugee children taking classes in school

However, Chancellor Angela Merkel's generous humanitarian action has cost her politically, with native Germans not happy with the massive influx of people who are not one of their own, even though these refugees must integrate and learn how to speak German to be able to thrive.

Our tour guide in Frankfurt blamed Merkel for the current economic situation. He said when he was a child, his father could easily provide for him, his sister and mother, afford a car and take a holiday once a year.

Today the 40-year-old said he and his wife both work -- they don't have children yet -- and they can't afford to buy another car.

Did he not understand that this situation is happening all over the world, not just in Germany? This is not because of the refugee influx. And they wouldn't be competing for his job -- they would be taking the jobs Germans wouldn't want to do.

His dislike of Merkel is misplaced.

I am grateful she has taken in these refugees, and that she has welcomed dissidents like artist Ai Weiwei and Liu Xia, the wife of Liu Xiaobo to Germany.

Liu Xia (centre) and Ai Weiwei (right) meet up in Berlin

It is because Merkel grew up in East Germany since she was an infant and had experienced communism first hand until the age of 35.

Following a series of election setbacks, last October, the Chancellor announced she will step down in 2021 when her term ends. Merkel will also not seek re-election as the head of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany.

Hopefully in the future, Merkel will be vindicated for taking in the refugees not only because of the humanitarian crisis, but also boosting Germany's population to keep the economy going. But for now though, you can feel unease between native Germans and their new neighbours.

Which is why these banners in Dresden are so apt for what is happening today, a reminder to open our eyes, hearts and doors.

Silk Road: Gaochang Ruins

Well-preserved ruins still standing tall at Gaochang

Another deserted city is the Gaochang Ruins, about 30 kilometres southeast of Turpan located on the edge of the Taklamakan Desert.

A main storage building in Gaochang, 30km from Turpan

From the remaining architecture, the place looked pretty sophisticated with buttressed walls and arches, and had temples too. It was originally built as a garrison town in 100 BC and was a key point along the Silk Road because travelers could stop here for food and water.

By the 14th century, it was severely damaged from wars between Mongolians and Uyghurs, and as a result Gaochang was eventually abandoned. But some of the buildings still stand and look in pretty good condition, making one wonder what life was like back then.

Gaochang was also known as a sanctuary of culture. The Buddhist monk Xuanzhaung, came here on his way to India and taught Buddhism -- we were even shown the room where he gave his lessons. There were also residents who were Christian and Manicheans, a religion based on good and evil from Iran.

The temple where Xuanzhuang gave lectures on Buddhism

We got to not only see these ruins, but also some tombs down below. One or two had Chinese calligraphy or paintings that looked detailed, featuring portraits of people. It's quite amazing that these items are well preserved and that no one has stolen them yet.