The world of Tzu Chi March 2020(Vol.120)

public transportation services and the closure of all plane and train routes departing fromWuhan – the lockdown had officially begun. I eventually surrendered my train tickets on January 23; no charges were imposed for the cancellation procedure this time around. The Chinese New Year live telecast session with Master Cheng Yen was also stalled. In the evening, my husband, mother-in-law and I savoured a sumptuous vegetarian steamboat feast. I took a photo of the spread and sent it to my family group chat to reassure my parents that I was enjoying the festivities away from home. I had trouble falling asleep that night and convinced my husband that I was staying awake to usher in the dawn of the Lunar New Year, hiding the truth that I was actually waiting for updates on the coronavirus outbreak. We cooped ourselves up at home for the coming days, watching movies and reading to pass the time. After reading news of medical personnel risking their lives and working themselves to exhaustion on the frontlines, Wuhan natives in foreign lands being subjected to quarantine and driven away from their places of residence, as well as patients unable to seek medical treatment or gain admission to hospitals, we reflected on our relatively comfortable lives in home quarantine and longed to offer assistance, but there seemed to be no way to contribute except to quarantine ourselves at home. This realization evoked in us mixed feelings of gratitude and overwhelming anguish. The Hubei authorities released a notice declaring the extension of the Spring Festival holidays until February 13. We doubted the prospect of returning to work on February 14 as the numbers of confirmed cases and fatalities had continued to rise over the past few days, but we never stopped lifting each other’s spirits with words of encouragement. Kindness matters Our neighbourhood rallied together to boost each other’s morale with spirited calls of support for Wuhan; hopeful cries for swift recovery from the epidemic reverberated across the community. We delivered some food to the young man living opposite our unit upon noticing he was home alone for the festive season; he reciprocated the favour by offering us two packs of face masks – a generous gesture of benevolence indeed in such dire times. Someone in our neighbourhood had been diagnosed with Covid-19, triggering concerns that those living in neighbouring units had also been infected with the virus. We were since prohibited from leaving the neighbourhood, while outsiders were forbidden from entering. However, we neither complained nor held grudges. Rather, we stood together in solidarity, exchanging well wishes amongst ourselves and reminding each other to stay safe indoors, besides defending each other against the spread of misleading claims. The people of Wuhan, typically known for their brash, aggressive ways, were allowing their kind, caring side to shine through in a time of adversity. Rumours ran rife of Wuhan residents spreading the virus by travelling outside the city. I believe that those who venture beyond Wuhan’s borders bore no malicious intention of transmitting the virus to others; the desire to leave for home or to travel is only natural. If I were to have returned home, I would feel obligated to report my travel history to the relevant authorities and surrender to a period of self-quarantine – for it is my responsibility not only as a Tzu Chi volunteer, but also as a Wuhan citizen. TZU CHI 120 11 Staying Safe in Combating Coronavirus