GOING VIRAL IN EUROPE
Windsor students coping with health emergency
The joys of Italian life normally fill the air in Turin with exuberance, but it’s the sound of silence that greets Wonjo Jung now when he ventures outside.
The streets of the city in Northern Italy are largely abandoned, non-essential shops are closed and many of those who venture out for groceries do so wearing a mask as Italy wrestles to break free of the iron grip of COVID-19.
“The city seems quiet,” said Jung, one of three University of Windsor students in the dual international master’s in automotive engineering program in Turin.
“There are definitely less people on the street. Many stores are closed, so I believe this is also what is contributing to less people being out in public.”
The Windsor students arrived in Turin in September.
The international master’s in automotive engineering program is one of two the university has that allows students to work and study in Europe.
The German Internships Program currently has 12 to 18 students working for Schaeffler Technology near Nuremberg.
Both programs are 12 months long.
None of the students or their immediate families has come down with the virus.
Jung, who shares an apartment with his wife and another Windsor student, said he doesn’t know anyone who has tested positive.
“I am not panicking about getting the virus, but I am taking precautionary measures every time I leave the house,” said Jung, a native of Seoul, South Korea, who came to Canada in 2013.
“I carry hand sanitizer with me at all times. I wear a mask outside if I plan to go to a crowded area.
“I eat healthy, exercise indoors and get enough sleep to ensure my immune system is healthy.”
Jung said they’re basically only venturing out for groceries or to grab some fresh air. Grocery stores, banks, the post office, drug stores, gas stations, clinics and tobacco shops are among the few commercial establishments allowed to open.
All pubs and restaurants are closed, though some deliver food if they leave the food outside residential doors. To travel any distance within Italy requires an explanation and the completion of forms.
“We are able to walk to grocery stores, we also order groceries online,” said Jung, adding there are lineups for the shops that are open. “Supplies at the grocery stores in Torino do not seem to be running low.”
He spends his days in his apartment studying, working on his research project remotely or exercising.
“People in public do not seem worried,” Jung said.
“They are carrying on with their day. Some people in public are wearing protective masks.”
Engineering professor Peter Frise, director of the university’s
Centre of Automotive Research and Education, and founder of the two international programs, said the school is monitoring the situation in Europe closely.
University officials were meeting Friday to develop protocols on how to deal with the evolving COVID-19 pandemic for both domestic students and those on international placements.
“We need to do everything to safeguard our students,” Frise said.
“The university is looking at online classes, working remotely, tele-meetings.”
The faculty of engineering’s assistant dean of student affairs, Jennifer Johrendt, keeps in touch with the students in Italy once or twice a week.
“We’re monitoring how the’re doing academically and how they’re feeling,” said Johrendt, who is program administrator of the international master’s program. “We’re staying in close contact to help them in any way.”
Johrendt said the Italian university (Torino Politecnico) that the students attend closed earlier this month. They are doing their courses online.
The Windsor students also work on research and development projects at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ Turin operations.
“Fortunately, none of the students need lab access to develop their projects for now,” said Johrendt, who said the students are working with their FCA advisers remotely.
Frise said the students in Germany are not subject to such stringent restrictions as in Italy.
“It’s much like it is here,” Frise said. “It’s wash your hands and be cautious in social and physical contact. There’s a level of concern, but not panic.”
Frise said Schaeffer Technology’s human resources department checks on the students daily to ensure they’re OK. He added the company is making arrangements for people to work from home and encourages anyone feeling ill to stay home with full pay.
“I’ve been told by the company their operations haven’t been affected,” Frise said.
Both Frise and Johrendt said none of the students has inquired about coming home early nor have they fielded any calls of concern from parents.
Windsor native Amanda Vojvodin-dargenio, who moved to Italy six years ago and now lives in Milan with her husband, Michaelangelo, warns Canadians to learn from Italy’s experience.
“Take it seriously as soon as possible,” said Vojvodin-dargenio, who works in the fashion industry.
“For a long time, we took it lightly and thought, ‘It’s just like a common flu or cold.’ The problem at this point is the health system (is at capacity.)”
As Italians see their healthcare system being overwhelmed — there are now over 17,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Italy — Vojvodin-dargenio said behaviours are changing.
One positive is that the early panic buying of groceries has also dissipated.
“More and more people are being vocal about really not going out,” Vojvodin-dargenio said.
“We need to take this seriously. I think people are, because the streets are empty. There is no traffic.
“I think peoples’ perception of the virus and the situation has escalated. The numbers speak for themselves.”