On March 18th, I was interviewed for Slovenian media – zurnal24.si. I spoke about the main topic of the year 2020 – about coronavirus (COVID-19). The virus which has drastically affected the entire world, including our country, where we recorded our first case of infection about 2 weeks ago. Today 341 infected persons are registered in Slovenia, out of 10,890 tests made.
Since I have been living in China for the last few years, including during the virus outbreak there two months ago, when it all began, the journalist and I talked about how China coped with the situation and what steps they have taken to slow the virus down.
You can read the article by clicking on – link. Article is written in Slovenian language, English translation is below.
I’d like to thank @zurnal24 for contacting me and the journalist @ayrina_k for the interview!
ARTICLE
Slovenian model Marko Degenek has lived in China for several years now. He recently returned to Slovenia and spoke to our media about measures taken by China during the coronavirus crisis.
How long do you live in China and where?
For the past three years, I have lived in Shanghai, which is about 800 kilometers away from Wuhan. Otherwise, I’ve been living in this country for almost four years.
Why China?
Competition is huge worldwide. I found my base in Shanghai, from where I can travel elsewhere. I mainly work as a model, but I also work with a fashion magazine where I take care of public relations, going for events, contact photographers, look for fashion editorials… Because I was also involved in basketball for a large part of my life, I also offer private lessons for children.
You left China 20 days ago. What was the situation then?
I left just before the end of February. I wanted to stay, but I could not renew my working visa. In fact, I should have already returned to China, but the flights are currently canceled all arounf Europe. When I was leaving China, the situation was already calming down, but it was far from being normal. I did not feel excessive panic among people. They were scared and careful, but calm. If I compare it to Slovenia, I could say that they have changed the attitude overnight and followed the rules and instructions for isolation. There was no greater nervousness. In the first days after the outbreak, people went shopping in large numbers, but soon all calmed down.
How was publicity in China at the beginning of this crisis?
Through the multi-function app WeChat, which every mobile phone owner in China has, we were well informed about the situation. Almost every hour, they inform people about the current state and new infections for each province. If the numbers are real… We never know, but yes, publicity is done regularly. I have to say that the Chinese impressed me with how they organized themselves and got together. At first, they underestimated the virus, but then they realized quite quickly how serious it was and changed the strategy. Through various applications, food delivery companies, DiDi taxi company, institutions and banks… basically from all sources, where you left your telephone number at least once, short messages were sent with information, tips and instructions. Wearing masks was a must. In front of the shops, body temperature was measured, disinfectants were available. I lived in a hotel where I was visited by staff every day. They measured and recorded my temperature. It was quite harsh. I have also heard that there were warnings hanging on the door of the infected quarantined people. There is an app, I don’t know how credible it is, which locate those with coronavirus. So you could keep track on them through the map. At this point, I would like to say thanks the Slovenian consul from Shanghai, who, on his own initiative, called the Slovenes living there (all twelve), distributed a set of masks, offered help and constantly informed us of the situation and changes.
How has coronavirus affected you personally? What has changed?
I haven’t been working for two months. It began with the celebration of Chinese New Year in mid-January. The virus has been spreading ever since. Life should return to normal on February 2nd, instead cities remain empty.
Did you get tested for COVIND-19 infection upon arrival?
No. There were no complications on the way home. At airports, I had to go through several sensors that measured body temperature and fill out a form on the Chinese as well as the Russian side. Besides personal information, they asked questions such as: do I have any of the following symptoms (fever, cough, dry throat, or headache), where I have been moving for the past 14 days, and whether I have been in Hubei province. In Moscow, 2 women dressed in protective clothing came on the plane and measured the temperature to all the passengers.
Are you in contact with friends in China?
Yes, regularly. Life is slowly normalizing. Earlier today, authorities in Shanghai ordered mask is no longer needed on open-air. Gyms started to open this week. Nightclubs and theaters remain closed, and restaurants are slowly opening. The schools will remain closed for now. For those who want to return to normal life and work, the city authorities have launched special code (through mobile applications) for each of the citizen. If you have green code, you are generally healthy and free to move. If it’s red, you have limitations – in my case, it means, I can’t go to audition and castings to get a job. In case of direct bookings, clients exclusively offer a job only to those models with green codes. Before I went to Slovenia, I had a green code. Our situation was still calm at that time. The question is how would it be if I applied again now, when zhe situation got worse. I will definitely have to go to quarantine for two weeks when I return. After arriving to the airport, Chinese authorities immediately test you and then sort you – whether you need to quarantine at home, or move you to temporary inspection points across districts, or if you have a worse case, they will take you directly to the hospital.
When is your intention to return to China?
If the market stabilizes again in the next two or three weeks, I will try to return as soon as possible.
Are you afraid of returning?
No. I’m just a little tired of waiting, uncertainty has been lasting for me since late January. I try to remain positive in hope situation calms down and we all can return back to normal life soon. For now, I would still like to stay in China, which has become my second home.