By Honorary Reporter Esraa Elzeny from Egypt

A medical worker on March 16 in Seoul's Gwanak-gu District operates a single-person testing booth for COVID-19. (H-plus Yangji Hospital)

The world faces a major challenge in tackling the COVID-19 threat. International efforts thus must come together to overcome this crisis. Global news agencies are reporting developments around the world, but when the danger approached my beloved Korea, the fear inside me rose.

My fear disappeared, however, after I saw how the Korean government tackled the outbreak, especially video broadcasts by several Korean channels showing groups of civil defense members as they spread disinfectants on the streets of Daegu, the epicenter of the outbreak in Korea. What greatly impressed me was the comprehensive sterilization of facilities, buildings, train stations and transportation centers, as well as a video shown on CNN on preventive measures for truck drivers, checking them using advanced methods and knowing their routes.

Then I remembered the year I spent in Korea to study web design and the progress of the Korean medical sector. A classmate from Sudan suffered from deteriorating respiratory health before he came to Korea, and the severity of it was discovered by a medical exam in Korea. He was found to be infected with a serious pulmonary virus, and this resulted in his isolation from other students for a month in a quarantine room.

The quarantine procedures for us were firm and no one was allowed contact with the patient. There was always a periodic examination for all students to ensure that everyone was safe. The Sudanese classmate eventually made a full recovery.

Thus I don't worry about COVID-19 in Korea because of the discipline shown by the Korean people and their commitment to following preventive instructions and how quickly health authorities tackled any potential threat to public health.

In Egypt, our health minister visited China to get the latest equipment to detect the coronavirus and learn from the Chinese experience vis-a-vis the speed of preparation for hospitals and quarantine equipment to receive the infected and those suspected of contracting the coronavirus. A team of Egyptian scientists and researchers is now trying to produce a vaccine for COVID-19. I have also read about many Korean researchers, doctors and scientists seeking to develop anti-COVID-19 vaccines, and I hope for cooperation between researchers and scientists in both countries.

Since the first confirmed case was announced in Egypt, the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in Cairo has prepared safety and security instructions, and the temperatures of visitors and KCC staff are examined daily. Hand sanitizer and masks are also available everywhere for the safety of all.

Affirming the strength of bilateral relations, the Egyptian president assured his Korean counterpart that Cairo stands side by side with Seoul to combat COVID-19; he also affirmed Egypt's pride in its diplomatic and cultural relations with Korea and stressed the need to exchange experiences in quarantine.

My last message to all my friends in Korea and the Korean people is that I hope we can quickly overcome this crisis and know that Egypt is always at your side.

chaey0726@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.