Iraqi teacher in Wuhan: Epidemic will 'soon' be solved

Ghamgeen Izat Rashed from Iraq, a teacher in Wuhan: I'm fine. I won't leave Wuhan.

There are 19,000 foreigners living in Hubei province. How are the lives of foreign residents in Hubei affected by the outbreak of the novel coronavirus? China Daily talks to Ghamgeen Izat Rashed, an Iraqi who teaches at Wuhan University. He said, "My family and I are fine. I believe China will soon solve the epidemic. The Chinese government has the ability. I won't leave Wuhan."

Rashed studied for a doctoral degree in in electrical engineering at Huazhong Science and Technology University in Wuhan from September 2004 to July 2008. Since June 2010, he has been an associate professor at the School of Electrical Engineering and Automation, Wuhan University. He teaches power systems, power networks and other courses for undergraduate and graduate students. He has made his home in Wuhan. His wife is from Wuhan and his daughter is seven years old.

Let's see what Rashed says about life in the affected area.

Ghamgeen Izat Rashed:

I'm all right in Wuhan. Like other citizens of Wuhan, after the outbreak, my family and I try not to go out, but we will wear masks when we go out according to the government's requirements. We canceled our family reunion dinner and New Year's festivities. The three in my family are staying at home, while my parents in-law stay at their own home. We watch the news, movies and TV series, and exercise every day at home. We tutor and play with the kid every day. Our life is full. We also disinfect the apartment every day. My family from Iraq also contacted me, asking me if I was OK, and I said: Don't worry. I'm fine here.

After the lockdown of the city, my life hasn't been greatly affected. We will go out to the supermarket to buy food. The items in the supermarket are the same as usual. Various kinds of vegetables are available, and have no significant price increase. My family said Spring Festival this year is just like those in the past years.

I have been contacted many times by Wuhan University and the school I work in, my community and foreign affairs department of the province, telling me to be cautious and stay home as much as possible. The school has also asked teachers to continue to guide students at home. I keep in touch with my students through WeChat. They are writing their papers. I also told my students to take precautions against the outbreak. As far as I know, all my students are in good condition. I also have two foreign students, from Pakistan and Kazakhstan, who told me the university has arranged for them to eat and told them to stay in the dormitories as much as possible. I also have several friends who live and work in Wuhan. They and their families are all fine after the lockdown.

I came to Wuhan in 2004 and have been in the city for 16 years. Every time I would tell my friends that none of you know Wuhan better than me. How fast Wuhan has been developing in the past 16 years. Compared with 16 years ago, I think 70 percent of the city has changed. I have many relatives in Iraq who work in bridge engineering, and I like to show them videos of bridges in Wuhan. I told them: You see. There are many bridges here at the lengthen of 20 or 30 kilometers, but they have been built very quickly in China. The Iraqi and Chinese governments have signed a number of cooperation agreements on projects. I hope Iraq can finish the projects soon under the help of China. I am very optimistic about the Belt and Road Initiative and I also have projects related to the Initiative.

I think the current difficulties will pass. I believe in the Chinese government. There are so many experts and doctors working hard. I also read a lot of foreign media reports, and I want to say why these reports are different from what I actually see here in Wuhan. I would like to believe what I actually see. I really have faith in China's efforts in the disease control. I will stay here forever. I will not leave Wuhan.