‘Take this seriously’

Kim Jenson (left) and her friend, Deb Herring, practice yoga outside in Kim's garden. Pictures supplied by Kim Jenson

Kim Jenson is an early childhood education teacher at an international school and lives with her husband and two dogs on the 25th floor of an apartment building in the city of Guangzhou.

She said there was no real panic when the first cases of coronavirus were discovered in Wuhan.

“It was just a sickness happening up north somewhere. Then it spread really fast in Wuhan, too fast for the hospitals and doctors to keep up. People started dying and then it was all around China.”

China immediately put rules and action into place to ensure the safety of the nation. There were temperature checks everywhere, schools were shut down, movie theatres and community places were closed.

It was a very quick and effective reaction by the government, she said.

In the cities people began to wear masks and avoided crowded public places and everything was constantly disinfected.

“We weren't allowed to visit friends who lived in other apartment complexes and our school was in touch with the teachers about any new laws in place to keep us updated. Of course, we followed the rules.”

Ms Jenson said a lot of their friends left the country as the situation worsened but they stayed put, not wanting to leave their dogs.

“Already there had been reports of communities killing pets and animals in fear of them spreading the virus, even though the SPCA and WHO released statements saying this was not true. Although we have a great kennel I did not want to leave my dogs just in case something happened and we couldn't get back into the country.

“Slowly it got better as businesses reopened and more people started to go outside.

“I still report my temperature to the school every day and there is also a health QR code on a Chinese social media app that everyone must keep updated.

“At least every seven days you fill in your health information, receive a personal QR code that can be scanned and used for tracking purposes. For example the code information is logged in when you go into a mall and if anyone who was there on the same day as you is later reported to have the virus, you can be quickly tracked and contacted about the situation.”

At the end of January the whole of China went into lockdown.

“We didn't venture far from our apartment complex and did not go into the city. My school discouraged us from going outside except to get essential items and people all over the city and country stayed at home.

“The streets were so quiet. It became illegal not to wear a mask outside in public. People who didn't were shunned, reported and even arrested.”

Ms Jenson said during the peak time of the virus spreading, the city was completely shut down. This was a massive feat since Guangzhou has more than 13 million people and the province has more than 100 million.

“But everyone did their part. Restaurants were closed, most shops were shut, no one was outside. It was eerie.

“At the beginning there was a mild panic and it was near impossible to get fresh vegetables unless you were up at 6am, and water bottles were disappearing off the shelves (we can't drink water from the taps here).

“All of this happened at the tail-end of the Chinese New Year and many workers who were in their hometowns did not return to the cities, which slowed down a lot of services like deliveries.

“However, once people realised the shelves were always restocked and no-one was going to go hungry or thirsty, things calmed down. McDonald's and KFC remained open during everything so all was not lost.”

Some of their friends who returned from abroad had to spend 14 days in their apartments in self-isolation.

“They were visited by the police and medical staff and tested. They had a note on their door that showed their isolation end-date and no-one could visit them.

“We were told that if anyone broke isolation, people in the community would have no problem reporting them and that this would be considered a criminal offence.

“My school was awesome as they provided meals and helped those in isolation get essential items.

“At least in New Zealand most people have backyards — being stuck inside a small apartment on the 25th floor without being able to go outside would be awful.”

Things are now slowly returning to normal, she said.

“There is still caution about going out or being in crowded places, and everyone still wears masks outside, and in every shop or restaurant we visit they check our temperature, take our phone numbers and names and scan the QR code. But the city is opening up again.

“There is no school yet but we are preparing to open.”

She hopes it will be soon as she is missing her students and wants to get back to class.

In terms of coping with living in lockdown, Ms Jenson said she would recommend people get a hobby.

“I chose yoga and ten weeks later I'm getting pretty good at it. It takes your mind off things and gives you a goal.

“Make sure you have a daily routine. Don't sleep until 3pm. Have a schedule and stick to it.

“Accept this is happening now but it will soon be over or will at least get better.

“Download Zoom and get friends and family to download it too. It's a great way to keep in touch.”

To keep themselves safe, the Jensons alway wash their hands when they come back inside. They wear masks outside and don't stand close to people. They avoid crowded places like trains and don't touch unnecessary things in shops.

“We became very conscious on how germs spread. We also made sure we ate healthy food and exercised.”

Although she wasn't isolated by herself, Kim said it got lonely and boring because a lot of their friends had left the country.

“If I wasn't teaching online classes or preparing online lessons, I was doing yoga, reading, pottering around the apartment and doing odd chores that never got done, or I watched old movies from my childhood.

“My husband played video games, worked online and cooked.

“Some days were better than others and occasionally there were days with a lot of anxiety and stress especially when a new law or restriction was introduced.

“Other days were filled with fun and good times with the friends who were still here.

“I'm still having to fill my days but there is more freedom now to travel domestically and go into the city.

“I have friends in Italy and America where the virus is spreading so fast and thousands are becoming infected. Take this seriously, be conscious of your health and stay safe so this doesn't happen in New Zealand.”

She said she was always homesick for New Zealand and had hoped to come back next summer. But with the school term being extended and the borders closed, that was unlikely.

“I imagine they will keep the borders closed as long as there is a global threat so I can't go anywhere for a while because I won't be able to get back in.

“Hopefully, this will all be over soon.”