While the world’s eyes are focused on the news coming out of China surrounding the novel coronavirus, some Chinese-Canadians in Ontario have taken matters into their own hands.

In Mississauga, volunteers from the community have banded together to help those returning from China embark on a “self-isolation” period.

Despite not coming from Hubei province, where the COVID-19 virus originated, these travellers have made the decision to self-quarantine for 14 days.

The idea being that these travellers will have zero opportunity to spread the virus, despite not having symptoms.

“The community nature is helping; I want to help my people,” said Nelly Gong, a volunteer with the Mississauga group.

The group operates through WeChat, a Chinese social media app.

Travellers who are still in China and plan to return to Canada use the app to connect with volunteers in their destination city, and establish a plan for the next two weeks.

Everybody in the group is there voluntarily — there is no compensation for running errands or dropping off food.

“In a crisis, the Chinese community is probably the first community to come together,” said Gong.

Volunteers drop off food at the homes of those in self-isolation, help connect to family members and, ultimately, keep up a positive mindset.

Perhaps one of the most planned out features is picking up the traveller from the airport.

As Gong explains, two cars meet the traveller at the airport: the volunteer’s car and the traveller’s own personal car.

Both cars park in the passenger waiting area. Once the traveller is seen, from a far distance, the volunteers who drove the traveller’s car pile into the second car and leave the personal car running for the traveller to get into alone.

From there, the traveller drives straight to their quarantine spot, usually their own home.

Volunteers will have already prepped the quarantine spot for the traveller, stocking it with toiletries and food.

If a traveller has family (who did not travel), they will stay at a volunteer’s home until the two weeks are up.

Each specific group on WeChat has a group leader and a number of volunteers.

At the time of publishing, the Mississauga Self Quarantine group had more than 220 members.

Daniel, a 48-year-old businessman who recently returned from a trip to China, has self-isolated in a Mississauga condo for the past seven days. He did not want to share his full name due to concerns over safety.

“It’s been no problem for me,” he said with a laugh, adding that it’s been easier to pass the time because he works from home.

He is currently staying in his friend’s condo rent-free, while his wife and son wait for him to return to their family home.

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His wife prepared food for him beforehand, so he is even enjoying home-cooked meals.

Though the past week has been relatively easy for Daniel, he admits that it can sometimes be lonely.

“Of course, it’s not better than in my own home,” he said. “I miss my family; we video call every day.”

Daniel says he has no symptoms and is feeling healthy. He looks forward to jumping “full gear” back into his regular lifestyle.

According to the World Health Organization’s daily report, as of Feb. 23, 78,811 global cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed. A majority of those are located in China, around 77,000 cases.

The Canadian government has asked travellers who have “travelled to Hubei province in the last 14 days, to limit (their) contact with others for a total of 14 days from the date (they) left Hubei.”

However, just like all of the travellers in the WeChat group, the Canadian government has asked all travellers from mainland China to monitor their symptoms, but they do not mention self-isolation.

Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist at Toronto General Hospital, was unsure if travellers who did not visit Hubei should self-isolate.

“The Canadian health policy is saying that this is something we should not be doing,” he said. “However, public policy can be adapted.”

Despite this, volunteers are adamant that what they are doing is helpful and necessary.

“For me, I’m so proud and so glad for whoever returns and self-isolates for 14 days,” said Jenny (who, out of safety concerns, also did not provide her full name). She is a member of the WeChat groups and is currently also self-isolating.

“We know how serious it is. (We) don’t mind sacrificing,”

For now, members like Gong will continue to volunteer her time and provide resources for the community.

“We are a very close-knit community. In China, we are always helping out, that’s our tradition,” she said.

Sabrina Gamrot is a reporter with the Mississauga News and Brampton Guardian. Reach her via email: sgamrot@mississauga.net

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