Yoursay: Coronavirus is colour blind, it doesn’t discriminate

YOURSAY | ‘It is trying times for those who are infected by the virus, and those who live in anxiety.’

A Wuhan girl asks for your compassion

Galaxy M: Journalist Yuli Yang, we are in the same boat and living on the same planet. I empathise with you for having to live alone in Hong Kong and worry so much about your loved ones in Wuhan.

Don't worry, we pray and hope that the coronavirus outbreak will be a thing of the past soon, just like the Sars (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak that happened almost 20 years ago.

It is nice to read about your description of Wuhan as a historic city and its beautiful scenery with a thousand lakes.

China is a great nation and the coronavirus is but a challenge to its people who have endured and survived innumerable hardships and difficulties throughout history and emerged victorious time and again.

Apa Harapan: The coronavirus like all other flu viruses is colour blind. It started in Wuhan and this has resulted in people starting to discriminate against Chinese and other Asians who look like them.

Discrimination against Asians and blacks is not new and stems from colonialism and a misplaced belief in white superiority. If China is unable to contain this virus, it will spread globally. It will also infect these bigots. They are not immune to the virus.

Where did the Spanish flu start? In the US and it killed 40 million. It is insensitive for one of the leading US politicians to ask for industries to relocate to the US on account of the epidemic. You better hope it doesn't become a pandemic.

This is a common enemy that must be fought together like Mers (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome), Ebola, Sars, et cetera.

Analyse This: Ada Harapan, you are politicising the matter, exactly what the writer implored us not to do.

Furthermore, recently experts have proposed a third hypothesis that the Spanish flu originated somewhere in northern China in late 1917 and swiftly moved to western Europe with the 140,000 Chinese labourers the French and British governments recruited to perform manual labour to free up troops for wartime duty.

I don't care what you think (or made up) the reason for US companies wishing to relocate out of China. A number of US companies are relocating their factories for economic and geopolitical reasons, not the coronavirus epidemic, which most people now think will be short-lived, like seasonal flu.

China does not play fair with foreign companies. They force them to partner with a Chinese company and hand over all their technology, and discriminate against them economically in any way they can.

Meanwhile, overseas they spy and steal every bit of intellectual property they can. That's why, for one thing, the US government has arrested two major academics and an industrialist for taking bribes from China in return for information. In other words, they're traitors.

Ryanc: It is a human tendency to blame others, similar to the forest fires in Indonesia which is also a potential health hazard.

I like to look at the bright side, if it doesn’t kill me, it will only make me stronger. So if I survive this, Yang, I will visit Wuhan and hopefully, I can meet you there and you could show all those attractions that you have listed in your Facebook post.

Toffee: I have been praying for the people of Wuhan, and I know while there are a great number of Chinese like me who pray too, there are many who through their communist background do not even believe in God.

It is alright because God is no tyrant, that is how I see my God, and I am sure with the resilience of the Chinese people and the support of their prayers and the millions around the world who offer prayers for them too, especially those in Wuhan and other badly affected areas, we shall overcome.

We prayed for Australia too (in its fight against devastating bushfires). You are not alone, we are with you in these difficult hours, believe me.

FairMalaysian: Warm tales to warm the heart. There is a collective concern and there is also collective effort. It is trying times, especially for those who are infected by the virus, and trying times for those who live in anxiety.

Governments worldwide are taking proactive steps to handle the situation with a lot of cooperation from everyone. We, Malaysians, are a lucky lot. We have a government who has its finger on the situation.

Manja: I have a soft spot for China and the Chinese who come to work in Malaysia. They really respect the people who care for them. I have a friend in Hubei who went back for the Lunar New Year.

Now she can’t travel and keep in contact only through WhatsApp. I pray that she is safe and that this epidemic will be controlled soon. I hope her job still remains available for her.

Blackbeak: Yang, thanks for sharing. We thought we knew China, but we hardly know what Wuhan is like until coronavirus hits the city. Now that we know Wuhan more, we are able to connect with your hometown.

Like everyone on this planet, all have an intimate story to share about their birthplace. Lakes, lotus, "the bromance and Qin" and all... one will definitely hit a note of familiarity.

Nain: I truly feel what you are saying, Yang. I am living in a foreign land, but people tried their best to understand one another. Although we are different, we are still the same in our hearts, in our minds and in our souls.

We are all human, no more no less. Whatever differences that we possess are just noise. If we listen carefully, we are all the same.

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