‘What if We All Get Sick?’: Coronavirus Strains China’s Health System

Mildred

Reading — Intermediate Level
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Activity

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After suffering from a fever and breathing problems for more than 15 days, Xiao Shibing, a 51-year-old resident of Wuhan, China, finally sought help at a hospital. Despite the symptoms, he was not tested for the new coronavirus — a lapse suggesting that there may be far more cases of the virus than are being officially reported.

Despite having dealt with the SARS coronavirus nearly two decades ago, many Chinese hospitals in smaller cities are not fully prepared to deal with a major outbreak like the current virus. Wuhan hospitals have posted messages online urgently appealing for medical equipment. The situation is even more desperate in poorer, rural areas nearby.

Instead, Mr. Xiao was told that he had a viral chest infection, so he went back home. As he grew sicker, he went to three other hospitals. But they told him they did not have enough beds.

Like many of the thousands of Chinese patients who are concerned about the new coronavirus, Mr. Xiao is scrambling to get help from a health care system straining to serve even the basic needs of patients.
  1. Xiao Shibing suffered from a fever and breathing problems for   days.
  2. Xiao Bing was not tested for the new coronavirus despite the symptoms that he experienced. That being said a lapse suggests that
  3. The outbreak of SARS coronavirus occurred
  4. How did the article describe the preparedness of Chinese hospitals in smaller cities for battling the deadly coronavirus?
  5. Why did Mr. Xiao go back home after asking for medical assistance because of difficulty in breathing and fever?
  6. What does the article tell about the needs to be addressed now that there is a coronavirus outbreak?
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Discussion

Practice your writing skills by discussing the questions below

  1. What do you know about coronavirus?
  2. Do you think the whole world has to address the issue urgently?
  3. Do you know of anyone who has been infected by the virus in your country?
  4. What do you think is the cause of the virus?
  5. What do you think is the best way to prevent coronavirus from spreading.
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