My experience during COVID-19 lockdown and lessons to be

learned from China

I had completed my 5 years of MBBS from Sichuan University, China. This is my second time I
came china to pursue my MD in Internal Medicine at Tianjin Medical University. During my stay
in China, I had the opportunity to experience to a certain degree the system, provision,
management, and policies of China in the areas of education, environment, health, and
administration in general. I was immensely impressed by the executive bodies who were
contributing in peace, security, prosperity and overall integrity of the country. It was this feeling
and experience that gave me the confidence to continue staying in China even when China
encountered the outbreak of corona virus on December, 2019. I was self-assured that I will
remain safe in China. It turned out similar to what I had thought. I was not disappointed by my
decision. In a few months, this epidemic which started from Wuhan city, turned to pandemic by
March, 2020. Chinese government fought with fortitude by taking steps like school closures,
transport bans, workplace shutdowns, quarantines of infected people, suspension of flights and
trains, and blockage of roads, which substantially helped to drive down the spread of the virus.
Local response teams and infectious disease management facilities were created to isolate,
monitor, and treat positive cases. Essentials like food and supplies flowed smoothly through
organized, government-controlled arrangements. Identification of chains of transmission and
subsequent contact tracing went on in full swing.

To ensure all of our safety, teachers didn’t allow to go out of University. We were almost
confined within the walls of dormitory. We were only permitted to go out of dormitory limited to
school premises, and that too, with permission stating specific reasons like for receiving online
ordered goods, for canteen and so forth. It had already been several months we hadn’t trimmed
our hair , and thus, we did each other’s hair-cut inside the dormitory. Living in such a condition,
some students were feeling lonely, frustrated, depressed, agitated, and anxious. It was a test of
patience for many. Anyway, the time had demanded everyone to “stay home, stay safe, save
lives” and there was no better choice for us than to remain in dormitory.

Nevertheless, all indispensable daily needs like canteen facility (breakfast, lunch, dinner, fruits,
snacks etc.) were made available to us. Probably, to avoid mass gathering, the school
management cut-off the water supply in the common kitchen. Teachers used to give every
student a phone call and enquire about their condition to make sure that everybody is safe,
healthy, or in urgent need of anything. Receptionists and security guards were always alert in
monitoring our temperature and making sure that everybody wears a mask. Besides, in order to
safeguard the health of the students in the school’s dormitory buildings, a special passageway
was set up in the buildings. If anyone suffered from fever, cough, or other suspected symptoms,
students had to leave the dormitory building through red channels on each floor. Other students
were required to follow the green channel. In the areas such as the entrance, reception, elevators,
student affairs center, public restrooms, and stairways, walking signs, and one-meter lines was
added. In addition, to keep all the foreign students creative and engaged, various online hobby
groups like yoga club, singing club, culinary arts club, fitness club, dancing club, photography
club, reading club, handicraft club and musical instrument club were created. Teachers who had
an interest in a particular club were in-charge of the same, and they encouraged the students to
participate and show their talents and abilities. Being a certified yoga practitioner, I coordinated
the yoga club and actively started sharing my knowledge and skills in yoga with the support and
guidance of teachers who were in charge of the yoga club.

As a consequence of persistent and strenuous hard-work, China became successful in reducing

COVID-19 cases to a great extent. Currently, there are negligible cases. However, to avoid the
second wave of COVID-19, China has continued to adopt stringent hygiene measures like
requiring people to wear face masks, following cough etiquette and hand hygiene. Social
distancing has remained in force. Besides, the cities have implemented electronic recording and
tracking systems to track and stop the spread of the coronavirus, and the Health QR (Quick
Response) codes have been established for everyone.

Thus, China has proved to the world that Careful planning and clear communication can
definitely lessen the impact of COVID-19. China’s unmatched proactive risk management, based
on collaboration between government officials and health experts, has proven to be effective in
controlling SARS-CoV-2 transmission to a considerable extent. During such a critical time when
SARS-CoV-2 is spreading like wildfire in many countries, the measures implemented in China
may be a guide to control and contain the COVID-19. Now, it has been a time to reaffirm our
belief that prevention is better than cure. It has been a time to introspect and reflect on a lot of
things. Also, it has been time to challenge ourselves to look at the positive sides of things even in
tough times like this with the mantra “This too shall pass”.

By: Amrish Thapa