By Noreen Jazul
A Filipino professor living temporarily in Wuhan, China said residents in the city are keeping a positive outlook amid the threat of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
University of the Philippines Political Science professor Jan Robert Go said residents of Wuhan are “encouraging” each other, that things “will be better soon.”
“The people [here], at least talking to my Chinese friends, what they’re talking about mainly is, they’re trying to encourage people, that this will be fine, and we will be able to overcome this particular issue,” Go told ANC in an exclusive interview Friday.
Go said Wuhan residents are receiving enough assistance, particularly in terms of information dissemination, from the local government.
“We receive regular updates. The guideline set by the WHO [World Health Organization] is posted everywhere. People here are always reminded to maintain proper hygiene so that we can avoid further the spreading of the virus,” the professor said.
‘Fewer people on streets’
There are fewer people on the streets since lockdown in the city was implemented, according to Go.
“The roads are almost clear, only private cars, bicycles [are] around the streets,” he said.
Several streets in Wuhan were also closed for disinfection, added Go.
“Right now they are closing the street until 9 in the evening,” he said.
Go said operations of the city’s metro subways and buses have also been suspended.
“Most establishments are closed right now, maybe partly because of the Lunar New Year this weekend but also as part of, probably, the safety precautions for the virus,” the UP professor said.