Former Brakpan resident shares his experience of living in China during coronavirus outbreak

He’s keeping a positive mindset as he lives under the coronavirus lockdown in China.

Born and raised in Brakpan, Phillip Bester (28), has no plans to return home any time soon.

The 28-year-old lives in Zhejiang province – one of the areas hardest hit by the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

The deadly virus has been declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organisation and has claimed over a thousand lives since it surfaced late last year.

More deaths are reported every day.

Bester told the Herald he was on holiday in Bali when the outbreak first made headlines.

“I didn’t really think much of it because the death toll was only 17 at that point,” he said.

“I was tempted to not go back to China and prolong my time in Indonesia but I had prior commitments in China and I had to go back.”

Bester, who matriculated from Hoërskool Stoffberg in 2010, has lived and worked in China for three years.

He is employed at an International Baccalaureate Kindergarten in Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang province, where he teaches English to pre-kindergarten students (two-to three-year-olds).

“I’ve always been a nomad when it came to settling down with a career,” he said.

“I did graphic design and marketing before I started working in corporate social investment and I was privileged enough to discover my passion for working with children during my time in the NPO sector.

“It was then when I decided to further my studies and career in early childhood education.”

The outbreak has resulted in the closure of schools around China as instructed by the provincial government and Bester explained that schools are waiting for the Educational Bureau to notify them of the official opening date.

Bester described daily life under the coronavirus lockdown as ‘boring to say the least’.

Everyone is under self-quarantine.

“We are only allowed to leave our apartments every second day for short periods of time and you cannot get any visitors,” he said.

“They have security and health checks at every building to take your temperature.

“They have restricted public transport and only a few supermarkets are open.

“You cannot leave your apartment without wearing a face mask and you should constantly sanitise your hands.”

Bester stated he doesn’t mind the free time as it gives him the opportunity to develop himself.

“I try and use my free time wisely by furthering my studies, learning new languages and keeping a positive mindset,” he said.

“And I sleep; I love sleeping and it’s something I don’t get to do much when I’m working.”

He does not know anyone who is infected with the virus.

Questioned about whether he is scared, Bester firmly answered no.

“Not at this point; I will stay in China for now,” he added.

“I do miss my beautiful country and would love to visit, but school will hopefully resume shortly and I don’t want to take on unnecessary travel arrangements.”

It also helps to keep in touch with fellow countrymen.

“Some of my South African friends in China have gone home and and some are still here,” he said.

“I think one of the biggest issues causing panic among South African expats in China isn’t the actual virus but all the misinformation and sensational news shared all over social media.

“Don’t even get me started on the unnecessary hate speech aimed towards Chinese people.”

Bester keeps informed by following official and reliable sources within China.

“My school also regularly updates us on notices from the Chinese government,” he said.

Despite the situation, Bester is enamoured of his adoptive country.

“There’s just so much to love and I am so thankful that I get to spend my days with children that have so much love to give,” he said.

“I am privileged to be accepted and trusted to experience a different culture so closely.”