Tough choices for Chinese students

Aware of severity

In Barcelona, Li Ruolin, 24, a postgraduate student at Pompeu Fabra University, burst into tears on learning that a European classmate had tested positive for COVID-19 in the Spanish city.

She said she was scared because of the potential risk. As a native of Wuhan, Hubei province, the former epicenter, she is fully aware of the severity of the pandemic.

She contacted the Chinese consulate, where a staff member told her to get in touch again immediately if she developed symptoms. But two weeks of self-isolation at home ended recently with her in good health.

Since the middle of last month, Li Ruolin's university has suspended all classes. Most of her European classmates have returned to their home countries due to the worsening situation in Spain, where it is also the flu season.

She said that when she took a metro train to the university early last month, she heard many people coughing, adding that it had been almost impossible to buy face masks, as they were in short supply.

"The situation is very critical. More protective devices are needed for medical workers, who are under great pressure due to the soaring number of patients," she said.

When COVID-19 emerged in Spain in February, she wore a mask for grocery shopping, attracting stares from locals not used to such a sight.

"They think that only people who are sick need to wear a mask. But as the pandemic worsens, they are becoming aware of the importance of this," she said.

"The community where I live has many elderly residents, and I can sense that they are very worried about the situation."

Spain has enforced a national lockdown, with people only allowed to leave their homes for essential work, to shop for food, dog-walking, and for medical reasons.

Li Ruolin said supermarkets have limited the number of customers, with people forming lines outside keeping 1.5 meters away from each other.

The online vlogs she has posted about her life in Spain during the outbreak show that there are sufficient supplies of food and other daily necessities, but toilet paper is always sold out.

"Strict measures have been taken in Barcelona. Police are patrolling the streets to look for anyone violating the lockdown without a valid reason," she said.

Once, when she and her boyfriend were on the street with a heavy load of food they had just bought, a policeman told them that next time, only one of them should do the shopping.

She said the semester at many universities in Spain will end in June. Most classes are held in the afternoon or evening.

"My Chinese friends and I are staying in Spain because we're afraid that returning home may affect our graduation if we lag behind in our studies. In addition, air tickets are now very expensive," she said.

"I have mixed feelings about being overseas, but I'm happy that my family members in Wuhan are all healthy, so I only have to look after myself, and not worry about them."