Months before the Corona virus pandemic broke out, Marianke Saayman and her boyfriend Etienne Marais decided to accept a job offer to teach English in China, and arrived in the city of Hangzhou on New Year’s Day.

 

Marianke had left behind a stable career as a journalist and Etienne had been working on completing his PhD degree before embarking on the new chapter in their lives.

 

Little did they know that Hangzhou, just like many other Chinese cities, would soon be in lockdown as the virus went on the rampage, leaving death, economic ruin and upheaval in its wake.

 

Since those early days, the virus has spread rapidly. Thousands have died from Covid-19, the life-threatening disease caused by the virus, and billions of people have been confined to their homes in isolation as governments stepped up the fight to combat its spread.

 

From vacation to isolation

 

“We first heard about the virus in mid-January while on vacation during the spring break that marks the Chinese New Year.”

 

Marianke says they realised it was serious when the school they work for informed them that the break had been extended. What should have been a week of rest turned into months of uncertainty and isolation.

 

The scene was set with deserted streets and closed businesses, restaurants and shops. This was followed by a general shutdown of the city, and for Marianke and Etienne, boredom as the long wait for a return to normality started.

 

“One consolation was that we never had to worry about food and other essentials. Initially we could buy from the big supermarkets but after they too had to close we could and still do acquire necessities from a small shop in front of the complex where we stay.”

 

Staying positive and hopeful

 

Marianke says they had to choose between pessimism and panic and staying positive. They chose the latter.

 

“Although many people got sick, and many older and vulnerable people died in the country, the dead only constituted a small percentage of the infected people.” She says that is why they decided to stay in China when many other South Africans returned home.

 

“We are hopeful. The situation in China is improving day by day and there is a drastic decline in virus infections.”

 

Her message to South Africans? “Be proactive and safeguard yourself against Covid-19. Wash your hands, wear protective gear and keep your social distance. Never lose hope. Live for every moment. It will get better.”

What was supposed to be the start of a new adventure for two of the NWU’s alumni left them at the centre of a deadly virus outbreak that would continue to choke the world in its relentless grip.

 

NWU & U  |