Wuhan Society Isolated, Didiet Afandi, Faculty of Economics and Business Lecturer at Brawijaya University, Malang, Cannot Continue Studying in China

Kapanlagi.com - Didiet Afandi should have returned to Huazhong China for school last week. However, due to the local government's closure of access, the academic system has been postponed indefinitely.

Didiet is a lecturer at the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Brawijaya (FEB UB) Malang, who is currently pursuing a PhD at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, People's Republic of China.

Currently, UB faculty members and students studying in China are on a semester break in Indonesia since early January. The closure of access to certain areas in China has prevented them from returning to China until now.

"I am still in China from December until early January. Six UB students are still in Indonesia and have not returned to China," said Didiet in Malang, Wednesday (29/1).

1. China's Winter Condition

© KapanLagi.com/Darmadi Sasongko

Didiet recounted that at the beginning of 2020, before returning to Indonesia, China was in the midst of winter, so there wasn't much activity outside. At that time, information had already been obtained about residents suspected of having the corona virus.

"At the beginning of last year, there were only two residents who were suspected of having the Corona virus. At that time, it was winter and there wasn't much activity because I thought the residents were on vacation and returning to their village to celebrate Chinese New Year. Coincidentally, I was living in the city center," he said.

Currently, the local government is protecting Wuhan from all activities to prevent the spread of the corona virus. Didiet admitted to maintaining communication with his colleagues in China to stay updated on the developments.

"Recently, my friends there have been coordinating with the Indonesian Embassy and some want to come back, but the local government is closing access to prevent the spread. Buses and trains are not operating there. Activities are currently limited to indoors," he said.

2. Corona Virus Has Developed

Separately, Dr. Kurniawan Taufiq Kadafi, M.Biomed, Sp.A(K), a doctor from the Faculty of Medicine at Brawijaya University (FK UB), explained that research from www.thelancet.com shows that the corona virus has developed in the form of SARS and MERS in previous years. Currently, the virus is referred to as the 2019-Novel Corona Virus (2019-nCov).

In early January, a fish market mini market was closed due to suspected contamination of animals with the coronavirus. The spread of this virus is quite fast as patients infected with the corona virus enter the ICU within a five-day period.

"The incubation period is two to six days, then on the ninth day, shortness of breath occurs and worsens, there is a threat of respiratory failure, on the tenth day they enter the ICU, and on average they experience pneumonia symptoms (inflammation of the lungs) such as coughing and shortness of breath, followed by fever," he said.

3. Most Commonly Affects Young to Elderly

The virus that most commonly attacks people aged 25 to 49 can be anticipated by remaining vigilant, maintaining hand hygiene for 20 seconds, avoiding touching the eyes, nose, or mouth after touching a patient. Closing the mouth and nose using a tissue after sneezing, using a mask when experiencing respiratory problems.

"To anticipate the spread of the coronavirus, Syaiful Anwar Hospital (RSSA) also conducts simulations of handling patients infected with the virus," he said.

(kpl/dar/CDP)