BANGKOK – To leave his rented apartment in Wuhan, Thai medical student Badeephak Kaosala dons a mask, gloves, hat and several layers of clothing to avoid getting infected by the deadly coronavirus that has rendered Wuhan a “ghost-town”.
LIVING IN A “GHOST-TOWN”
The 23-year-old student doing his medical degree at the Tongji Medical College in Wuhan says he is always self-conscious of touching anyone and has to constantly remind himself to keep a distance from others- a sneeze or a cough may be fatal.
Ever since Wuhan has been identified as the epicentre of the virus outbreak and killed 81 and infected 2740 people across China, Kaosala has difficulty even sourcing basic supplies like eggs and milk in the city housing an 11 million.
Everyone’s stocking up and it’s too late. There’s an acute shortage of supplies. The only vehicles out on the road are private vehicles, making their way usually to pharmacies and hospitals.
He wants to head back home to Thailand but has no option other than waiting.
EVACUATION?
The Thai government is planning for a possible evacuation of its citizens, keeping a military plane on standby. However, Thai Prime Minister Chan-ocha announced that China has not granted them permission for airlift.
In order to contain the virus, commercial flights from Wuhan were halted a week ago.
According to Thailand’s Foreign Ministry, there were 64 Thais in Wuhan.
There are eight reported coronavirus cases in Thailand. Badeephak says that most of the Thais stuck in Wuhan want to head back home as staying back isn’t safe. He says he is not doing too well considering the town has now become a ghost town.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.