Boss told Serb: "For your sake, stay at home." Even if she wanted to leave China, risk is too great

Foto: Privatna arhiva

The new coronavirus that appeared in the Chinese city of Wuhan, from which it later spread to other parts of the country, caused panic around the world - not for no reason, since so far 25 people have died from this virus and nearly 600 had been infected.

To prevent the spread of this dangerous virus that spreads from human-to-human and can cause pneumonia or bronchitis in those with impaired immunity, the elderly and children, the Chinese Ministry of Transport has suspended all bus and ferry traffic to the city of Wuhan.

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There is also fear in the Chinese province of Shandong, in the city of Jinan, where kindergartens are closed and citizens are urged not to leave their homes or travel unless necessary. A Serb woman, J.S. (27), who has lived in China for several years, talks about this for Telegraf.

Photo: Private archive

Our interlocutor, who works in a kindergarten, said that she received a message from her boss telling her that she should not leave her house because of a virus currently spreading in China.

"'For your own good, stay at home'. That's the message I received from my boss. I work in a government kindergarten that closed when the virus appeared. The kindergarten's director informed us that the institution was closed and would let us know in due time when we would resume our work. We are still on vacation now," says the Serbian woman.

When the worrying news reached them that a coronavirus was spreading in China, JS said she didn't feel all the same about it.

"At one point, I was scared. I thought, 'What do I do now?' But knowing that fear kills and attracts, I try not to suppress, but to be careful and hope that everything will be okay," she states.

The Serbian also says that she noticed people in Jinan wear protective masks inside local malls these days, which, she explains, didn't used to be the case.

Photo: Tanjug/AP

"Everyone used to wear masks just outdoors, this is normal because of air pollution. But ever since the virus came on, we don't take off our masks anywhere, even when we're indoors to protect ourselves. I wear the mask everywhere, even when I go to the store that is in the building where I live. Although, it's not like one can fully protect themselves even with masks," she says.

Our interlocutor adds that citizens are advised not to travel because train stations and airports are the most risky.

"And if I were to come home to Serbia now, that would be very much risky," says J.S.

Photo: Tanjug/AP

Otherwise, China is currently celebrating the Chinese New Year. It is estimated that after the end of this celebration, the situation will be even more serious, and according to epidemiologist Zoran Radovanovic, the so-called Wuhan disease could reach us afterward.

Of particular concern is the fact that one coronavirus patient has infected as many as 14 healthcare professionals. Later, reports arrived that the virus was mutating.

But at the same time, packages sent from China cannot transmit the virus. It can survive for hours, but not days or weeks - which is how long it takes for AliExpress packages to reach our country.

The main symptoms that may indicate the presence of a coronavirus are fever, fatigue and shortness of breath.

(D. Simic./d.simic@telegraf.rs)