By Honorary Reporter Cao Thi Huong from Vietnam
As the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) goes on a rampage throughout the world, Korea as of March 8 had the second-highest number of confirmed cases after China. As an international student in Korea from Vietnam, I developed the habit over the past month of checking news on COVID-19 as soon as I wake up. The situation has since eased in Korea but until a few weeks ago, the number of confirmed cases was surging daily and even by the hour.
I've recently gotten a lot of questions from friends both in Korea and Vietnam asking how I'm doing. If anyone asks me if the situation scares me, I will definitely answer "Yes." But I know that if I let that fear take over me, I'll grow weak and be unable to do anything. So I try to stay healthy by eating fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C and always wash my hands after returning to my dorm. I'm focused on maintaining personal hygiene. A protective mask has become my best friend that spends every moment with me.
As many people know, many regions in Korea have suffered damage inflicted by COVID-19, but the most painful thing about the outbreak is that Daegu is the hardest hit in the country.
Daegu is special to me. I once stayed there for four days to participate in a KBS World program. Those four days were enough to make me fall in love with the city, and I also attended several large-scale events hosted by Daegu in Vietnam. This led to many of my Korean friends calling me "Daegu lady."
Daegu is a major economic center and tourist attraction in Korea. The city planned to further boost tourism there under the slogan "2020: Year of Tourism in Daegu and Gyeongbuk (Gyeongsangbuk-do Province)." The COVID-19 outbreak, however, was all it took to steal this dream from Daegu.
As the outbreak spread rapidly in Daegu, many people grew afraid and some urged a lockdown of the city. More people did not yield to this pressure, however, and headed to Daegu to share its pain.
The Korean government and health authorities did their best to help the city. Many doctors and nurses nationwide volunteered without hesitation to go to Daegu to help residents there fight COVID-19. Corporations and people also sent donations of masks, hand sanitizer and daily necessities to the city.
Luckily, the number of confirmed cases in Korea is declining due to the efforts of the government and the people.
Though the fear of COVID-19 remains, I'm living life to the fullest more than I ever have in Korea. I work as a reporter for VTC, Vietnam's state-run multimedia corporation, to inform people in Vietnam on Korea's situation and response to the outbreak.
It might not be much, but I sincerely pray for Korea and Daegu every day. I hope the solidarity between Koreans and their government stamps out COVID-19 soon.
hrhr@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.
Korea as of March 8 had the highest number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outside of China. (Yonhap News)
As the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) goes on a rampage throughout the world, Korea as of March 8 had the second-highest number of confirmed cases after China. As an international student in Korea from Vietnam, I developed the habit over the past month of checking news on COVID-19 as soon as I wake up. The situation has since eased in Korea but until a few weeks ago, the number of confirmed cases was surging daily and even by the hour.
I've recently gotten a lot of questions from friends both in Korea and Vietnam asking how I'm doing. If anyone asks me if the situation scares me, I will definitely answer "Yes." But I know that if I let that fear take over me, I'll grow weak and be unable to do anything. So I try to stay healthy by eating fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C and always wash my hands after returning to my dorm. I'm focused on maintaining personal hygiene. A protective mask has become my best friend that spends every moment with me.
As many people know, many regions in Korea have suffered damage inflicted by COVID-19, but the most painful thing about the outbreak is that Daegu is the hardest hit in the country.
Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin (right) and Daegu Metropolitan Council Chairman Bae Ji Sook (left) in October 2019 attend an event commemorating the 15th anniversary of friendship and cooperation between Daegu and the Vietnamese city of Danang. (Cao Thi Huong)
Daegu is special to me. I once stayed there for four days to participate in a KBS World program. Those four days were enough to make me fall in love with the city, and I also attended several large-scale events hosted by Daegu in Vietnam. This led to many of my Korean friends calling me "Daegu lady."
Daegu is a major economic center and tourist attraction in Korea. The city planned to further boost tourism there under the slogan "2020: Year of Tourism in Daegu and Gyeongbuk (Gyeongsangbuk-do Province)." The COVID-19 outbreak, however, was all it took to steal this dream from Daegu.
As the outbreak spread rapidly in Daegu, many people grew afraid and some urged a lockdown of the city. More people did not yield to this pressure, however, and headed to Daegu to share its pain.
The Korean government and health authorities did their best to help the city. Many doctors and nurses nationwide volunteered without hesitation to go to Daegu to help residents there fight COVID-19. Corporations and people also sent donations of masks, hand sanitizer and daily necessities to the city.
I recently reported on the COVID-19 outbreak in Korea for VTC, Vietnam's state-run multimedia corporation. (Cao Thi Huong)
Luckily, the number of confirmed cases in Korea is declining due to the efforts of the government and the people.
Though the fear of COVID-19 remains, I'm living life to the fullest more than I ever have in Korea. I work as a reporter for VTC, Vietnam's state-run multimedia corporation, to inform people in Vietnam on Korea's situation and response to the outbreak.
It might not be much, but I sincerely pray for Korea and Daegu every day. I hope the solidarity between Koreans and their government stamps out COVID-19 soon.
hrhr@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.