An interview with a Myanmar student in China's Wuhan about novel coronavirus

An interview with a Myanmar student in China's Wuhan about novel coronavirus
Sithu Tun, a Myanmar student undertaking a master's degree course in environmental engineering at the Wuhan Technological University.
Sithu Tun, a Myanmar student undertaking a master's degree course in environmental engineering at the Wuhan Technological University.
Published 24 January 2020

 

An interview with a Myanmar student in China's Wuhan about novel coronavirus

The 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) that started to break out in the city of Wuhan in China's Hubei province has attracted the attention of the World Health Organization. In China, lab tests have confirmed 278 cases—258 in Hubei province, 14 in Guangdong province, five in Beijing municipality and one in Shanghai municipality. Of 51 cases confirmed by lab tests, 12 are in critical condition. Under the current situation, Chinese authorities have cut off communications with Wuhan. According to the 2010 census, more than 6 million people live in the city. The Daily Eleven conducted an interview with Sithu Tun, a Myanmar student doing a master's degree course in environmental engineering at Wuhan Technological University, where Myanmar students are also studying.  

Q: When was the virus discovered in the city of Wuhan? From whom was it found? 

A: The virus outbreak started at the end of December. It is learnt that it came from those who sold seafood. 

Q: What is the situation in Wuhan? How many Myanmar students are living there? 

A: Currently, the entrances and exits of the city are closed. They (authorities) say they will fumigate from airplanes. Myanmar citizens here are all students. There are over 130 in total. During the school holidays, about a half of them returned home. The rest of the students like us remain here to do research. 

Q: What is the current situation there? What is the population there? 

A: I don't know about the exact population. In the city, all trains and buses have suspended operation. Only some private transports are going. A lot of shops have closed. 

Q: What is the difficulty there as communications with the city are cut off? Please tell me more about the situation. 

A: The major difficulty is food and medication. As Chinese New Year comes, shops are normally closed. I think due to the virus, they will continue to be closed. I haven't bought anything. I will have difficulty in the long run. 

Q: Are there any contacts among the Myanmar students? What are your plans under this situation? How will you plan to resolve such difficulties as you don't know when the school will reopen? Have you informed the embassy? 

A: We are five altogether here. We have agreed to share food. Myanmar students from other cities said they would help us. We have no contact with the embassy. 

Q: What have the Chinese authorities done to tackle the virus? 

A: They say planes will be fumigating at about 5 pm today. Spray containing 75 percent alcohol has been spread over the school. 

Q: So under current situation, the residents in the city are like they are being trapped, aren't they? 

A. Yes. 

Q: What do you want to say to the Myanmar government about the trapped Myanmar students? 

A: I want them (government) to know Myanmar students are here in the city. I want them to respond and start to communicate. We have nothing to depend on. 

Q: Anything else you want to say? 

A: I would say that Myanmar should ban flights from Wuhan. As zero budget tourists come most, elderly people will be among them. Most of those who died of the virus were over 60 years old. I want to warn Myanmar should be careful in case of virus outbreak.