Tough times, but no need to panic

I never thought I would be infected so quickly. However, at about 3 am on Dec 12, just four days after the capital lifted its strict COVID-19 control measures, I developed a bad headache and my back started to ache.

The pain made it impossible to sleep, and I soon realized that I might be infected.

I immediately took some fever pills left from the time I had a cold in summer.

During the week that followed, I had a continuous headache, fatigue, fever, a cough and a runny nose.

My 62-year-old mother and 5-year-old daughter both live with me, and they quickly followed suit by becoming infected as well.

Even though it was tough when we were all sick and had to take care of each other, we didn't panic.

First, there was a lot of information online. The city's health authorities had used the media to release plenty of advice, medical guidance and suggestions. Many people who had already recovered posted video logs to relate their experiences of the disease.

Based on that advice, we didn't go to the hospital after we got sick. I basically knew what we were going to go through and how long it would last. My daughter's temperature climbed to 39.9 C, which made my mom a little anxious. However, I decided to just give her some medicine and insisted on not going to the hospital. After two days, my daughter's health improved.

Second, people were helping each other in many ways.

Except for some fever pills, I had not prepared any other medication before I got sick as I was not expecting to get infected at all. I called a few friends and they delivered some of the medicine I needed to my home, especially medication for my daughter.

Beijing's logistics services were also very efficient, which was really helpful.

Meanwhile, I saw news that drugstore owners had divided big packs of medicine into many smaller units and given them to residents free of charge, which helped treat a lot of people. Moreover, community workers went to the homes of disabled and senior residents to check their condition and offer help if required.

Last but not least, the city government had taken several measures to ensure adequate supplies of daily food and medicines, given more support to community health centers, encouraged people to use online hospitals and made sure the fees were covered by health insurance.

My reporting team has done many interviews since we all recovered. It is true that some hospitals were crowded with patients, but for the most part, people were pretty calm. They seemed to be prepared.

In many community hospitals, patients lined up for registration, diagnosis and medicine in orderly fashion. There were seniors — including some wheelchair users — but others were young. Everyone was very understanding and caring, especially toward the doctors and nurses.

It's now the beginning of 2023, and everyone in the country is preparing for and welcoming the arrival of Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year, at the weekend. I hope everyone will be reunited with their families and have a great time.