Coronavirus: The Food Prices Skyrocketed

The Coronavirus caused a huge panic in East Asia. I felt this when I was chatting with my mother about her experience in Hong Kong. She said, "Normally the vegetable prices are around $12 to $16 HKD ($1.54 to $2.05 USD) per pound, now it increases to around $30 HKD (around $3.85 USD) per pound." If food prices skyrocketed in Hong Kong, how about China? When I read the article in Wall Street Journal, the article stated that in one of the supermarkets in Shanghai, the price of lettuce has once rose eight times more than usual prices, and the price of cabbage also rose five times more than usual. This store in Shanghai was then fined two million yuan ($286,000 USD) by the government for gouging food prices. Even though the food prices skyrocketed, it still can't stop the Chinese from buying expensive food. From this incident, I can see the panic among the Chinese when the government is unable to contain the coronavirus. The panic among the Chinese is a tough challenge to the government when coronavirus is still spreading across the country.
Article: Chinese Supermarkets Fined, Warned Against Price Gouging Amid Outbreak - The Wall Street Journal

Moo Shu: Chinese Food in America

Besides Orange Chicken, an Americanized Chinese dish, there is also another dish came to America from China that should be remembered. In the mid-20th century, Moo Shu pork came to the United States and became popular in the Boston metropolitan area. It is originated from Shantong Province in China, which mixes cooked pork with mushroom, vegetables and egg, and simply flavored using soy sauce, wine, toasted sesame oil, white pepper, and ginger. This dish is just like Peking duck, served with Mandarin pancake and sweet sauce. I personally like this type of dish, because this dish includes a balance in protein, fiber, and flavor. It is just like burrito or taco in Chinese style. I think I will try to find recipe of Moo Shu, cook it at home, and serve it along with tortillas.

Article: Moo Shu, Now With Less Meat - The New York Times

Wuhan: Masks and Coronavirus

Wuhan Coronavirus is now the spotlight of Asia. Many people, including my parents living in Hong Kong, viewed it as a virus comparable to SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome). According to my mother, 3M N95 mask now sells around 300 HKD, around 45 USD, per mask. The New York Times questions the actual protection of masks. But many Chinese rely on the mental, psychological comfort that "masks" bring them. Especially when Wuhan and other cities of Hubei Province is now being isolated by the army, the people trapped in the cities feel safer with these masks on. In the article, the author recommends that people need to be also aware of personal hygiene, where washing hands frequently can better prevent being infected by virus. 

Article: Many in China Wear Them, but Do Masks Block Coronavirus? The New York Times

Volcano: The Beginning of the Worst

The sudden destruction of Taal Volcano is just the beginning, its effects to the people in Philippines will not end shortly. This unexpected natural disaster happened in south of Manila caused a huge loss where the government needs a lot of effort to cover this up. As it was so sudden, many people might die, and remaining still need to face the reality losing their assets in the disaster. Although the deaths and casualties of this disaster are currently unknown, this article indicated that about 23,000 died and 6.8 million persons affected by natural hazards from 1997 to 2016. These numbers appear to be heavy in the "peaceful" 21st century. The social disorder and numerous persons need much support from the authorities to bring their lives back to normal. Moreover, the continuous natural disasters occurred in Philippines need to be recognized. The government should investigate whether there are ways to decrease its negative effects to the people in the Philippines.
Source: Taal Volcano Eases, but Philippines Worries Worst Is to Come - The New York Times