Dr. Mu Hu, associate professor in the communications program, said China is now “very stable” compared with a year ago, when The Mesquite originally interviewed him about the coronavirus.
As a nation composed of 1.4 billion people, the percentage of positive cases is in the single digits, he said in a follow-up interview March 5.
“Domestically generated cases are almost zero,” Hu said. He noted the majority of positive cases are people traveling into the country, causing China to be very strict on its quarantine protocol.
He detailed China’s process to allow travelers in the country: restricted to those who have been approved by their respective country’s Chinese embassy, and travelers are then provided a QR code, typically only provided to nationals who have an emergency in China. Travelers must quarantine 14 days in a hotel at their own expense, where they are tested three times. They are only allowed entrance with proof of negative test results.
Hu said he believes it’s too early for Texas to lift mandates and open the state.
“You cannot achieve economic growth and control coronavirus at the same time,” he said. “We sacrifice certain economic growth, maybe there will be unemployment, etc, etc but that’s necessary.”
He said he feels when positive cases are reduced and there are more vaccinations, people can get back to normal.
Hu described Hong Kong as a good example of what can happen if mandates are lifted too soon. Hong Kong, an economic metropolis, has been going through fluctuation because it was opened, positive cases greatly increased, and the country decided to close again.
The Chinese economy’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose 2.3% in 2020, despite the rest of the world struggling because of the pandemic, Hu said.
“China is pretty open but still has policies to wear masks and social distance,” he added.
Hu said his parents are continuing to practice social distancing, like he is here in Texas.
“They don’t have any restrictions anymore,” Hu said, “They can travel but they still wear masks and practicing social distancing. Taking precautionary steps.”
Reflecting on the effect of the pandemic, Hu said, “I feel bad for the half a million people who lost their lives. I feel the number could have been lower.”
Hu said the pandemic has inspired him to be productive.
“One thing that has changed for me, is that I now walk to H-E-B. It’s a workout.” he said.
Hu is working on a study about American college students’ online class experience during COVID-19.
“I would love to see…the communication effects in those classes,” he said.
There has been a surge of studies regarding this subject, Hu said.
He is considering the difficulties students encounter in their daily lives and how those factors influence their online class experiences. He acknowledged that many students work, have children and are faced with many challenges.
Hu said he has adapted his teaching to be fair and available to everyone, despite their circumstances. Because of this, his workload has increased 30-35%.
“But it’s necessary,” he said.
“Our students are great, “ Hu said, “I really enjoy working here and communicating with them. It’s absolutely enjoyable. They are very diligent, very considerate, very respectful. So it’s absolutely, from professional side and personal side, I try my best to help them cope with these difficulties.”
