I had to end my travel in south China earlier during the last winter vacation because of the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic. At that point, the realization of a war against the virus dawned on me. But what had not yet dawned on me was the weight of what I would discover over the following months.

On the day of my return to Beijing where I live, the once bubbly, lively streets of the capital city were deserted and quiet. Shops were locked down, flights canceled and offices closed. I witnessed the whole country shut down in a matter of days and the sentence that dominated every conversation was, "Stay indoors, and go out only when it is absolutely necessary, to prevent the spread of the new virus." The spread of the virus became the headline of news media, and even while locked in at home, the vibe was palpable. I was about to witness the greatest display of national unity.

I was not the only one whose plans were interrupted by this "unwanted national visitor." The whole nation was in a war on a common enemy—an epidemic. Businesses, schools, relaxation parks and recreational centers, all shut down. Plans for the lavish celebration of the Spring Festival I had so much heard about and could not wait to witness were hushed into a mere whisper. My fantasies and great expectations were all gone in the twinkling of an eye.

In the midst of the restrictions on movement, some residents had sleepless nights and troubled days for various reasons. Some tried their best to keep life running as normally as possible in the face of the lockdown, finding ways to manage the epidemic, some looked for a cure, and some just stayed at home, waiting for the day when it would all be over. Whatever the way, the aim was the same—containing the virus. The cooperation from the highest to the lowest levels of society in setting up structures to test and prevent the spread of the virus has been really commendable and incomparable.

My school, Beijing Jiaotong University, and indeed every school resorted to very effective online teaching platforms. My university kept a close watch on us. Those who were in or out of China, on campus or out of campus needed to ensure that they were all doing well and comfortable. The university also provided necessary services for the students living on the campus.

Restaurants and supermarkets expanded online platforms, and home delivery services continued in order to keep business going and provide necessary service to the people who had to stay at home. In every sphere of society, I saw an unequaled display of creativity in getting things done and bringing services to the people. So, even though the streets were empty, the nation never grounded to a halt.

Watching how my host nation fought and won the fight against the coronavirus, I picked up a few lessons.

First of all, if we unite as one, we can overcome any challenge.

Secondly, every individual has a part to play during a pandemic, no matter how little. Some people treated the infected people, some created apps to keep daily life running, some made donations in various forms to various quarters, and some just stayed at home. Whatever the contribution, it was positively significant toward fighting the pandemic. Residents were willing and cooperative enough to produce the desired result.

And lastly, I learned that faith in the leaders can be a strong force. The people trusted the leaders and followed them. Without trust, the instructions and restrictions put in place by the authorities to curtail the virus could not have been carried out promptly, and this war would have taken a longer time and also recorded higher fatalities, making it even more difficult to manage.

I count it a great privilege to be part of this national victory. If indeed I was asked where I would rather be in this trying season, I would still choose to be in China to witness firsthand this great display of national unity.

The author is a Nigerian studying at Beijing Jiaotong University

Copyedited by Bridget Mutambirwa

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