At present, Europe has become the center of the COVID-19 epidemic. How should the vast number of overseas Chinese view the epidemic and take corresponding precautions?

Professor Zhang Wenhong, director of the Infection Department of Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University in Shanghai and head of Shanghai COVID-19 Medical Treatment Expert Team, offered a video lecture to offer advice to overseas Chinese.

When will the epidemic be substantially controlled?

Zhang Wenhong: It is expected that most cases will be well controlled this summer and the epidemic situation will experience a trough. But it is not known whether the epidemic will recur next winter.

During this period, although the number of cases in the northern hemisphere will decrease since summer is coming, the disease will perhaps spread to the southern hemisphere when winter begins. It is possible that the epidemic will last for a year or two.

How to prevent infection from COVID-19?

Zhang Wenhong: The epidemic only poses the risk of infection when you are in close contact with the infected patients. But I think as long as we take correct precautionary measures, we are not likely to be infected.

How is the epidemic situation in Germany? 

Zhang Wenhong: How to understand the German’s epidemic prevention policy?

Zhang Wenhong: Germany has taken corresponding measures. Everyone is waiting for the peak of the epidemic situation to come. If the epidemic continues to spread, Germany will definitely take higher-level prevention and control measures.

As long as all countries take more active strategies, it is only a matter of time before the global epidemic situation is finally controlled.

Except in some states, the number of cases in most German cities is no more than ten. Nordrhein-Westfalen has taken measures such as closing schools, closing entertainment venues, canceling unnecessary gatherings and purchasing. Germany's current medical system is capable of handling sporadic cases.

Should Germany adopt China's measures? 

Zhang Wenhong: First, the situation in Germany is not as serious as it was in China; second, the time node as Spring Festival has not come in Germany. For a long time to come, the epidemic will spread in Germany and other countries. If it spreads to the whole world, the epidemic will last longer.

How do overseas Chinese protect themselves?

Zhang Wenhong: What I tell you today is based on facts. And only by basing on fact can you make a correct judgment.

To prevent this epidemic, you need to be cautious about touching anything. First, separate meals are required. Second, wear masks during parties. Third, reduce social interaction. As long as you don't socialize, wear masks and wash your hands frequently, you can avoid infection.

When sharing an apartment with others, keep your personal hygiene, wash your hands frequently, stagger the use of the kitchen, and dry your clothes after washing, and there will be no problem.

Should overseas Chinese wear masks in local areas?

Zhang Wenhong: First, if the epidemic develops rapidly and the number of infected people increases, the protective efficiency of wearing masks will be improved. Second, according to the current situation in Germany, we must keep an appropriate social distance. Third, the German people do not have the habit of wearing masks. It is suggested that people should not try to change their ideas. Fourth, we can actively prevent the epidemic by changing our behavior, such as reducing social interaction, increasing social distance, and purchasing at different times.

欧洲目前成为疫情“震中”，广大海外同胞应该如何看待疫情，又该如何做好防范？

上海复旦大学附属华山医院感染科主任、上海市新冠肺炎医疗救治专家组组长张文宏教授以视频连线形式举办专题讲座，为海外同胞支招。

疫情何时能得到大幅度控制？

张文宏：预计今年夏天大多数病例能得到很好控制，疫情会经历一个低谷。但过了夏天，到下一个冬天是不是再复发，现在不好说。其间，北半球夏天病例变少，但南半球进入冬天，也可能相互输送病例。就算持续一两年也是正常的。

如何防止感染新冠病毒？

张文宏：新冠肺炎感染风险只出现在密切接触时，正确做好自身防护，我认为感染风险极低。

德国疫情将如何发展？怎样理解德国防疫政策？

张文宏：德国已经采取措施，在等待高峰什么时候出现。如果高峰不过去，疫情不断蔓延，德国一定会出台更高级别防控措施。只要各个国家的策略变得越来越积极，那么国际疫情最终得到有效的防控只是时间问题。

除了部分州以外，德国大多数城市病例数都是个位数。北威州也已采取学校停课、娱乐场所关闭、取消非必要性聚集、非必要采购等措施来放慢大家的生活节奏。德国现在的医疗体系对散发病例是有能力处理的。

德国是否要采取中国的做法？

第一、目前德国没有达到中国之前的严重程度；第二、没有遇到春节这样的时间节点。未来相当长一段时间，疫情在德国等国家将呈散发态势。如果全世界都呈散发态势，那么疫情就会延长。

海外同胞何去何从？

张文宏：我今天只告诉你事实。基于这些事实，你做的判断才有可能是正确的。这个病最主要的感染风险在在接触上面。具体来说，第一、吃饭要分餐。第二、聚会要戴口罩。第三、要尽量减少社交。只要少社交、戴口罩、勤洗手，就可以基本上避免感染。说到合租，你只要保持好个人卫生，手经常洗，错开使用厨房，衣服洗好了有烘干，就没有问题了。

海外同胞在当地要戴口罩吗？

张文宏：第一、如果疫情发展很快，感染人数增多，戴口罩的防护效率就会提高。第二、按照德国目前情况，一定要保持社交距离。第三、德国民众本来没有佩戴口罩的习惯，建议大家不要试图去改变他们的观念。第四、我们可通过改变自己的行为方式积极预防，比如减少社交、增加交往距离、错峰采购等。

(Executive Editor: Ye Ke, Shen Lu)