Former Record and Chronicle reporter chats from South Korea on the coronavirus

Monique van Wyk, a former news reporter of Alberton RECORD and Comaro CHRONICLE, left for South Korea earlier last year to teach English in Wando, a small town. The CHRONICLE caught up with her to ask how the coronavirus is affecting her and her husband in Wando.

“Korea is taking it very seriously! For me, where I live, it doesn’t seem to be a big problem. Although, people wear medical masks even more now.

“The masks have always been very common, but with the coronavirus, some people are even wearing two masks at a time. At school, the students and teachers were all warned about the virus and were instructed to wear masks at all times and wash their hands. Hand sanitiser dispensers have been placed all around the school too,” said Monique.

She added, “As far as I can understand, the coronavirus stays on the news in Korea all the time. I have to say, I’ve spoken to the few Korean friends we’ve made in our town and they are scared of this virus. They say they don’t understand China and how they eat everything and they don’t want to travel there. They are extra vigilant in staying clean and eat clean foods.

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“I try my best to always have fresh masks to wear, but they are obviously very uncomfortable to wear all day. So sometimes I don’t wear them, which is not good. But I’m always washing my hands with soap.

“Honestly, I think this virus is much, much worse and more serious than the media allows people to believe. I just hope and pray that it won’t affect my loved ones and people in my life.”