In full confinement,
the series that turns to others.
It is complicated to have information about the situation in China. Even for journalists, even for the French government, even for the World Health Organization... Even for the Chinese population. The Chinese Communist Party carefully controls and filters information about its country, this is not new.
For this somewhat special testimony since it comes from the first outbreak of the pandemic, Vianney will make us travel. This 31-year-old French car designer has been in China for 3 years. He lives on the 6th floor of a large building in the suburbs of Beijing. In March, his story in China had to end to return to live in France. It was without counting the coronavirus: now without work and after selling his apartment, It finds itself blocked within the country at the origin of one of the greatest health crises in history.
What you will find in this article:
→ Vianney's testimony, which takes us to her country for the time of an article, China.
→ The way we met.
→ Links to other testimonials of the series « *Based on true stories », when almost every day these appear :
> Pavel, Russia | Asanka, Sri Lanka | Tseegii & Zaya, Mongolia | Geoffrey, Japan | Biplav & Dipesh, Nepal | Yana & Maxime, South Korea.
« The good thing is that pollution has fallen dramatically here. It is nice to enjoy the beautiful days that come, the great sun, the great blue sky. For once I can see the mountains away from my window and it makes me smile! »
Where
It all started.
Vianney hosted us before we left for our solo trek on the unrestored parts of the Great Wall of China. And they hosted us, too! It was this anchoring point, this refuge in the middle of the tourbillon of Beijing. We will always remember how happy it was to be welcomed at home, when we had difficulty acclimatizing ourselves to this city – this country – if special (we came from Mongolia, the shock was a little brutal).
Vianney and his girlfriend had offered us a bed (a True bed, it's been a long time since we had one at that time). And they gave us a little time. We loved to hear them talk about their expat experience and learn more about this country whose codes were foreign to us.
At that time the population in China was already wearing masks. But not against a virus, against Pollution. The sky above the city was cloudy, opaque grey. The air purifiers were discovered at Vianney's, and they were noticed everywhere. We had discovered the applications that replaced the weather: instead of looking at the weather before coming out, Vianney told us that he was consulting I-pollution index. He knew this way if he could move around running, cycling... Or if he had to Put on a mask and take the subway.
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→ What is the situation in China?
« The situation in China is not as dramatic as it might seem... According to the propaganda services of the Chinese Communist Party anyway! We're not gonna lie to each other, 3000 deaths in China, that's a fact. a little thin given the seriousness of the situation. »
→ What measures have been put in place so far?
« So you have to think that we've been in this situation since the beginning of January... Sorry if I forget anything! Already, unlike France, there has not really been ‘containment', apart for 3 weeks during the Chinese New Year. There are some cities in Hubei that, like Wuhan, have been quarantined to prevent the spread of the virus, but otherwise no ‘extreme' measures in cities.
That said, Beijing was managed in a slightly different way because of its status as a political capital / international showcase / big hub for air transport: The local government couldn't afford it to go nuts! So there are measures that have evolved locally and continue to evolve:
- closure of schools until further notice (they are expected to open again towards the end of April),
- limit on the number of authorized persons in restaurants (something that evolves more or less depending on particular cases and possible incidents),
- quarantine imposed to anyone returning to Beijing after the Chinese New Year (first at home with more or less rigour and control, then imposed and paid at the hotel, supervised by the police).
Apart from that, the measurements were simple: stay at home as much as possible, if you have to go out protect yourself, wear the mandatory mask (still now) and especially wash your hands, have regular homes and offices and disinfect as much as possible. On the side of the French Embassy in Beijing, They really handled the thing and they keep doing it. They kept us regularly informed via WeChat and newsletters of developments. They set up an emergency number to be reached, a tele-consultation platform and worked with the local government to have the French moved to Wuhan. They continue their efforts still today by organizing the sending of masks to France. »
→ What's changed in your daily life?
« In practice, it doesn't change much... Finally, Apart from the fact that I'm stuck in Beijing after leaving my job, having more planes to be able to return to France for a little while ! But it's not that dramatic, it allows me to do things that I didn't take the time to do before (portfolio, job search, resale of business that I accumulated for 3 years in Beijing, etc.). In the meantime, I can always move freely (and without certification).
Delivery services, whether for mail, shopping or food, have slowed down somewhat due to the increase in demand and the small number of delivery agents (for the simple reason that many have not yet returned to Beijing after Chinese New Yearbecause of the measures cited). But it slowly returns to normal. Many restaurants are still closed, not for hygiene reasons as one might think but simply because their employees (just like delivery and other jobs) have still not returned to Beijing.
Residential communities are ‘closed' to visitors. Only residents and some traders can access it, all with a control (temperature control and access badge, plus ID). These checks are more or less strict depending on residences and time. I've already been bored one afternoon because I forgot my badge at the apartment. When I went back to 3/4 in the morning, nobody was there to control anything.
We've been living this for three months now.. Today the situation is better (apparently...) So there is relaxation and it feels, people are waiting to be able to enjoy fully again. The good thing is that pollution has fallen dramatically here. It is nice to enjoy the beautiful days that come, the great sun, the great blue sky. For once I can see the mountains away from my window and it makes me smile! »
→ How does the population live? Do people follow instructions?
« It's been more or less well lived here... There was first some kind of panic/general paranoiathen a ras-le-bol of Chinese citizens towards the government that (again) managed this in its own way (late reaction, suffocating the case to give the impression that they are managing the situation, etc.). That said, the Chinese being quite ‘submitted' to their government – and especially having already had to deal with this kind of situation before (SARS, MERS) – Everyone has implemented the measures put in place by the central and local government. The communities of members of the Chinese Communist Party in each neighbourhood have all been activated to make sure that this is the case and it worked pretty well! »
→ How do you envisage the next one? Does this scare you?
« The situation continues to change. The challenge now is to ensure that the situation remains stable and to avoid new contaminations due to cases imported from abroad. (mostly by Chinese citizens fleeing the pandemic who would now return home). The most difficult thing is to be stuck in Beijing, not really have the freedom to leave the city (see even the country...). But I'm not particularly worried about myself.
What scares me It's not being able to be there for my family., not being able to do much to help them immediately. Which scares me, This is the unconsciousness of many people in France However, it is not complicated to understand that one must stay at home, for one's own health, that of one's loved ones but also that of others. Which scares me, It's people who don't take this seriously. or have awareness of the seriousness of the situation. Which scares me, is the lack of management and accountability of the French government that makes us here today.
For the rest, I hope to have a plane back to France next month... Then, as may be ! »
Listen, learn, share, relativize.
Go away.
This testimony belongs to Vianney and he alone cannot be judged. For every person in the world and for every country the situation is different. It is not a question of imposing ideas here, but of share opinions, realities and Ways to Think.
In a time when we all face ourselves this series is made to open up to others : listen, learn, share, relativize... and open the mind. Finally, do what the trip offers us the opportunity to escape while enriching one another.
What's next?
The sequel happens in South Korea, Nepal, Japan, Sri Lanka, in Mongolia, Vietnam, Russia. Every day or almost, a new testimony will appear here, « *Based on true stories« .
Until tomorrow, you can escape with the other stories we have to tell you.
Don't hesitate to share with us your feelings, your own situation, your thoughts, your questions in commenting on this article. We always answerAnd we can even ask Vianney your questions.
