An empty city of millions

It's very boring living here at the moment. Basically we are stuck at home without anything to do. Everything is closed until next week. One day the city was filled with millions, and it was completely dead the next.

The biggest city in the world has been reduced to empty buildings, empty streets. The few who still do work wear masks. There is no panic, rather precaution and prevention.

Mexicans understand the whole world is watching and are angry and concerned over some negative opinions about their country. People worry about how this will impact on the economy.

Last week all sport was cancelled, even the minority sport of rugby which only attracts crowds of family and friends. All the facilities are closed and we are unable to train. Even if we could I'm sure that few would turn up.

As you can clearly see from the cases in New Zealand, the flu hasn't been the killer it's been cracked up to be. It's not a matter of surviving, but rather getting the correct treatment. You catch it like any other flu, it doesn't have super powers, and you don't necessarily catch it if you have been in contact with someone who has the virus.

People keep telling me that I'm lucky to have got through it, but everything that I have learned about this virus tells me it is perfectly treatable. Most people here have recovered 100 per cent after their illness was identified. If treated correctly there is nothing to be seriously worried about.

Not much was publicly known about the swine virus when I was hospitalised. I felt completely safe, knowing that I was in good hands. The gave me an antibiotic for my chest and an injection for my temperature. It took more than two hours for my temperature to come down and once it went below 38, I was allowed to go home. I spent the week resting and had daily check-ups by a doctor who has been working in a clinic where there are about 30 people isolated and a handful of people who may not make it, after trying to treat themselves at home.

Before the alarm was raised people were trying to treat themselves, thinking it was a normal flu. Some of these people have lost their lives.

Now that it has been made public, people are going to hospitals for checks. I haven't told many people [I had it]. People wouldn't want to be around me. They think you can just catch this virus walking down the street.

At the moment it's difficult as I'm not able to work. I'm trying to develop a coffee export business and promote fair trade with organic Mexican coffee. That is on hold and will remain that way until all this settles down. I see Mexico as a land of opportunity. I'm not planning on leaving, even after the scare of the virus.

Former Wellington resident Derek von Sturmer works and coaches rugby in Mexico City.