7 Interesting Ways People Are Dealing with the Coronavirus in Wuhan

With all the media coverage the recent spread of coronavirus is receiving, it is understandable to feel downbeat about the plight of the people of Wuhan. However, as you are about to find out, the citizens of the city are far from broken!

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What is the coronavirus?

The current epidemic of coronavirus (2019-nCoV), unless you are not aware, is a novel form of the coronavirus. It has, to date, not been encountered before and, like other coronaviruses, comes from animals. 

"Many of those infected either worked or frequently shopped in the Huanan seafood wholesale market in the center of the Chinese city, which also sold live and newly slaughtered animals. New and troubling viruses usually originate in animal hosts. Ebola and flu are examples." - The Guardian. 

"Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause respiratory illnesses such as the common cold, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Most people get infected with coronaviruses at one point in their lives, but symptoms are typically mild to moderate. In some cases, the viruses can cause lower-respiratory tract illnesses such as pneumonia and bronchitis. " - Live Science.

Other examples of coronaviruses in the past include Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). The latter was originally believed to be transmitted from dromedary camels to humans, but it is now believed the original host was bats.

In 2002, SARS spread to around 37 countries around the world, infected around 8,000 and killed 750. MERS was less effective at passing from human to human and infected only 2,500 people.

But it was also far more lethal; of those infected about 35% died. 

How bad is the coronavirus for people?

Infected individuals tend to show symptoms similar to a fever with a cough and difficulty breathing. From this point of view, it is very similar, initially, to the symptoms of SARS.

However, so far infected individuals have not shown signs of a runny nose, sneezing, sore throats or intestinal symptoms like diarrhea as seen in SARS. 

Despite the lack of available effective treatment, most patients should be able to overcome the virus on their own. At present, most treatment involves making the patient comfortable and allowing them to get plenty of rest.

Most fatal cases of the new coronavirus have been older individuals who are 60 years of age or older. These patients also had pre-existing conditions that had suppressed or compromised their immune systems. 

"However, more recently, a young healthy man died in Wuhan, raising concern that the virus might be more dangerous than [intially] thought, according to The Washington Post". - Live Science.

How are people dealing with coronavirus in China?

So, without further ado, here are some strategies people in the city of Wuhan, China are employing to deal with the threat of the new coronavirus. These are but a few examples we could find on the internet and is, as such, far from exhaustive.

This list is also in no particular order. 

1. These guys are still finding time to play some games!

Çin, Wuhan’daki Instagram storylerine bakıyorum. En doğru haberi storyler verir dedim. Durum şu: pic.twitter.com/ggWFp4DUbH

— kılıçkuşanan (@kilickusanan) January 25, 2020

In the very best spirit of humanity, these guys have decided to take their minds off their troubles by playing games! With their makeshift biohazard headgear donned, nothing stops the Chinese from playing one of their favorite games Mahjong.

Given the severity of the situation unraveling itself around them, this is probably a very good coping strategy. Good luck in more ways than one!

2. The Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center has developed a special spray that could help

An antiviral spray against novel #coronavirus has developed in Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, which can be put into throat as shield from virus. The spray can greatly help protect front-line medical staff, yet mass-production for public use is not available for now. pic.twitter.com/om75IyQHHq

— People's Daily, China (@PDChina) January 27, 2020

Given the very serious health implications of contracting it, effective means of staving off the virus are now getting urgent. Thankfully some organizations like the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center are starting to roll out methods of fighting back!

How effective it will actually be is, however, yet to be seen.

3. The citizens of Wuhan are standing defiant despite the general fear of the coronavirus

"Jiāyóu!" or ’"Keep going!" chanted from tower blocks across #Wuhan, a city of 11 million quarantined.

Haunting.#coronavirus pic.twitter.com/6qDLSgPMPH

— Darren of Plymouth ?? (@DarrenPlymouth) January 27, 2020

Here is another example of the tenacity of human beings when the going gets tough. The local citizens of several tower blocks in Wuhan currently under quarantine try to keep their spirits up by chanting "keep going" and "hold on Wuhan" to one another!

Hopefully, their ordeal will be over very quickly!

4. Chinese authorities managed to erect an emergency hospital complex in less than a day!

#coronavirus wuhans new hospital built in 16 hours incredible work for one room.

They hope that they fit 1,000 people in so they can eat each other to get rid of the virus. pic.twitter.com/JkZxf1JNhz

— Fucmenews (@fucmenews) January 27, 2020

A new hospital facility has been built in Wuhan to house around 1,000 patients suffering from the new coronavirus. What is most impressive is that the entire facility was erected in no more than 16 hours!

It's amazing to see what people can do when they collaborate against a common enemy!

5.  This chap shows us around Wuhan at his own risk

One day in #wuhan through a photographer’s lens #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/myzIaA098c

— ?? (@itshemuk) January 27, 2020

This chap risks his own life, and likely imprisonment, to show the world what the streets of Wuhan currently look like at the height of the coronavirus outbreak. It is fascinating to see the streets effectively emptied as residents are currently put under quarantine. 

6. When locked indoors you can quickly run out of things to do

How to survive staying indoors during #coronavirus lockdown according to these very important videos making their rounds on Chinese social media. Firstly: don't be afraid to express your feelings and get in touch with your emotions. pic.twitter.com/xd8yj73dtx

— Manya Koetse (@manyapan) January 27, 2020

This humorous video proves that the citizens of Wuhan's spirits are far from being broken. Having very few other options for things to do, this individual decided to make their own entertainment using nothing more than their window's view and a sock puppet!

Impressive skills.

7. We are not entirely sure how effective these guys' PPE is, to be honest

Stay safe out there #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/2tP9HtjQSS

— Erika Giovanetti (@erikaxgio) January 27, 2020

And finally, having the right safety equipment is important; especially during a viral outbreak like the new coronavirus. However, the way these guys have chosen to use (well misuse) their PPE is a little questionable. 

Perhaps someone should tell them?