Meet the Egyptian girl who refuses to leave virus-hit China

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

An Egyptian girl has refused to relocate from China to her hometown in Nasr City, Cairo, amid the entire scare relating to the Coronavirus outbreak.

Basma Mostafa wrote a lengthy Facebook post, explaining her ordeal and the reason she chose not to move from Beijing.

She said, “With all the anxiety of the family and their constant calls to convince me that I should return, especially with the announcement of the cessation of Egypt Air flights to China from February 4.

Basma poses for a photograph at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Basma Mostafa/ Facebook

“I do not know what will happen, and I see many foreigners around me, at the same time they decided to stay. I decided that I would not relocate to Egypt for the following reasons.

“As my family is afraid of me getting infected, I am also afraid, and I have a responsibility towards them that they do not get infected… I don’t know who will be on my long way from a taxi to the airport, to the airport itself, and to those on board the plane. I am also afraid for you, my sisters, and every other human in Egypt.

“China is currently making every possible effort to combat the virus and deal with it, from building a hospital in 7 days in Wuhan to accommodate the infected, to declare a state of readiness to address the virus in Chinese provinces and cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai.

Basma poses with the national flag of Egypt. Basma Mostafa/ Facebook

“China has a history of dealing with viruses, such as SARS and others. Until now, no treatment for this virus has been discovered. The basis for recovery is that the patient has a strong immunity.. However, I am fully confident that they will absorb the crisis.

“I lived in the country for many years, and with time I began to belong to it... “

The girl’s brave post has earned her utmost respect, with netizens praying for her safety.