The planet is moving at the rate of the spread of the new coronavirus and the authorities of China and all the states are taking emergency measures to deal with it. Cases are multiplying daily and deaths from the virus have far exceeded 500, raising concerns about a new pandemic at the World Health Organization.
Interview with Konstantinos Kaltsas
The virus appeared in the city of Wuhan, according to converging information, and specifically from an open-air public market and comes from animals that were either not kept in the best possible conditions or were wild. The reason for the transmission to humans seems to be the Chinese preference for their consumption, which makes the country of 1.386 billion inhabitants vulnerable to outbreaks of new viruses.
China is now a tourist and professional destination for many Westerners and Greeks alike. In many cities, people from our country have settled to find work or to expand their professional horizons.
Newsbeast.gr contacted a Greek who has been living in Asia for 6 years, who told us about the situation he is facing, the fear caused by the spread of the virus and the way the authorities are trying to reduce it.
"Businesses employ employees with work from home"
Konstantinos Liakos lives and works in the southern city of Shenzhen, just over 1000 kilometers from Uhan, the "epicenter" of the coronavirus spread. He is Co-Founder / CMO of the company for import and distribution of Greek Wines and Spirits in China, Hellenic Agora.
We asked Mr. Liakos about the situation that prevails in his city and in general.
"Businesses employ employees from home. The majority of retail and catering stores remain closed. The production plants remain closed. Schools and universities remain closed after the Chinese New Year holiday. Announcements speak of opening from March 1, 2020 "he told us.
The shortages in the surgical masks presented in China concern Greece as well Chinese citizens buy medical supplies from the pharmacies here and send it to their homeland en masse.
"The use mask when traveling is mandatory! When people arrive in buildings, shopping malls, public services but also at the main entrances of residential gardens (arrays of apartment buildings in which people live) temperature is measured!
The purchases for the essentials are made through e-commerce, with control of the transport staff in each of their crossings. Some supermarkets are operating. In general, there are recommendations not to make many movements ", said Mr. Liakos.
But what is the psychology of the Chinese?
"The psychology of Chinese citizens is different from that of foreigners living in the country. They think that they should stay at home and avoid unnecessary travel. The message of solidarity and efforts to fight the virus is also transmitted through social networks. The main characters in this campaign are doctors and nurses, who really work without breaks and many breaks. Pictures of nurses and faces Doctors who have strong signs from the endless hours of mask use are the most widespread on social networks. Foreigners are trying to return to their countries, I think they are more upset and feel embarrassed.
My personal mood is positive, I stay at home, I try to spend my time creatively, reading some books. I have also improved my cooking skills. In addition, I have enrolled in an online course (intensive) of 4 weeks to keep my thinking alive! The object of study is "machine learning". I make some moves mainly to change pictures, without meeting friends or colleagues. At the same time, I organize the issues of the business from home, planning the strategies with the partners by email and telephone ".
Are there any negative effects on the Chinese economy?
"The country's economy is sure to be negatively affected, and it is clear that the world economy has realized how much this' cessation 'of Chinese citizens' activities can affect many aspects of the world economy (oil, transport, retail, luxury goods, tourism). etc.) ».
Mr. Liakos also spoke to us about the origin of the virus and the city of Uhan.
"The virus came from a wildlife market in Wuhan. All the media reported that the market was a fish market. The truth is that in this market one could find snakes, bats and other strange wild animals for sale. What is central to the media these days is whether these markets should be abolished as it has been proven in previous outbreaks that the original host of the virus was a wild animal.
The problem is really focused there and they are trying to reduce it, which is why they have banned all travel in and out of the city. But all the cities in China from the largest to the smallest, from Beijing to us, we live in a different situation. It's just that in that city things are harder, stricter. "
But what is happening in his city?
"We have about 396 cases here to date, but none fatal. In fact, Shenzhen is a city of over 12 million people. The virus has a low mortality rate but spreads rapidly. That's the difference, the spread. "
There are constant reports in the Greek media about the strict measures taken by the Chinese state to deal with the virus. Is this true?
"The measures are very strict, as they want to limit the transmission in this phase. We have to keep in mind that the outbreak of the virus took place during the Chinese New Year holiday period when the movement of citizens reaches very high levels and takes place all over China, from big cities to smaller cities and villages, since it is the period gathering of the Chinese family with all the members going to the home towns where they come from. It is also a period when the Chinese travel abroad ", Mr. Liakos told us.
"The Greek consul called us and was personally interested"
As for the effectiveness of the Chinese, the reviews are rather. Positive.
"The response is immediate and technology is making it easier. That is, when we all have an application on our mobile phone that mentions exactly the cases, what to watch out for τα They provide the information to everyone very quickly and immediately. If an announcement is made, we all learn very quickly what to do. This is done so that there is no panic. When you are informed the panic disappears. When you are ignorant then there is a greater fear ".
Mr. Liakos also made a hypothetical comparison with Greece.
"They are definitely more efficient not only from the Greek state but from many other states because they are not interested in the cost of money. They say that "we will build a hospital in 10 days because it must be done for the good of the people". Everyone can go to the hospital for free. They have put aside the financial issue and say they need to reduce the problem. They are interested in the political cost. Let no one say that the state is not working properly.
"If this had happened to us, with the problems that hospitals have in staff and elsewhere, I do not think we could immediately provide such a solution."
Do you have any contact with the Greek state, through the embassy? Has it taken steps to protect you?
"The Greek state through the embassy (Beijing) and the consulates (Shanghai, Guangzhou) have informed the Greeks living in China. The update is done by publishing articles given by the official Chinese state through the Foreign Affairs Office in English.
"Because my place of residence is the city of Shenzhen, I belong to the consulate of Guangzhou, where the Consul called us by phone and took an interest in addition to the official and formal information."
Are the Greeks in China coming back or only those living in Wuhan?
"Some Greeks decided to return to Greece until they see what happens. From the city of Uhan we know of a case of a Greek who managed to go to France. There is information about 2 other Greeks in the city of Uhan.
I have decided to stay. "I also believe that if I suffer from something, the hospitals here are on better alert and have the most know-how of any hospital in another country."
As for the further spread of the virus, Mr. Liakos made the following assessment:
"The spread of the virus in the last few days has gone from exponential to linear. Theoretically we expect the spread to decrease due to the measures. The information of the world is complete. The official media inform through the traditional media (televisions, radios, newspapers) about precautionary measures but also recommendations for protection. Social media play the most important role, since there are many official articles for information, precaution and moral uplift of citizens, with the main characters being the main heroes (doctors, nurses) ".