Some Warm Moments in the COVID-19 Outbreak

Imagine this: when the COVID-19 outbreak hit China, you were outside of the country as a Chinese national. What might you be regarded as? A walking virus? A dreadful evil? A scare maker? You name it, that's what you might have heard from some media at the time. But as a witness, I must say, what I encountered is different.

In late January 2020, when I landed in Paris on a pre-scheduled multi-stops business trip, the airport was different from ever before. The warning signs were everywhere, and the airport staff asked me about any possible symptoms, but they were also attentive and kind.

"Where are you heading to? The City Center?"

"We're going to the railway station. I can give you a lift there."

"You are Chinese, are you? God bless, how's your family in China?"

In Cambridge, when I was standing outside of the hotel entrance and ready to call an Uber, a couple was leaving and invited me to join them drive to the city center and railway station.

"Are you happy about this travel?"

"I cannot see your smile behind your mask."

"You could take off if you like to. We don't mind at all."

When I flew from Heathrow to Frankfurt, I chatted with my neighbor passengers. They suggested that if I was comfortable taking off my facial mask, they preferred a natural talking and laughing if possible.

"We strongly suggest coming to this in-person meeting."

"Let's keep some physical distance but meet you here physically."

"Thank you so much for coming. We so appreciate your endeavors to our cooperation."

When I was double-checking with our Dubai partner, whether we should continue our scheduled meeting or switch to a video conference, they insisted and finally met in person but skipped the hand-shake and canceled the dinner-party.

There were many more touching moments when I was on the overseas trip during the early COVID-19 outbreak. I encountered more welcome than escaping, more caring than criticism, more warming than warning. Everyone was hospitable, friendly, and helpful.

One year has passed, and our ongoing business is running well as planned. China contained the virus better, but somewhere in the world is challenging and suffering. I hope the available vaccines can help all of us get back to normal soon. Then we can sit down together, face to face, say thank you in person, work together, shoulder to shoulder, and celebrate our achievements, hand in hand, once again, again and again.

Let's cross our fingers for all of us.