‘Better safe than sorry’: How Sacramento residents are preparing for coronavirus

No known cases of the novel coronavirus have shown up in Northern California. That’s not stopping people in Sacramento from being prepared.

Some people are even trying to help.

The virus, which was first identified in Wuhan, China, and has no specific antiviral treatment recommended for patients, now has more than 7,000 confirmed cases and a death toll of 170 in the country. On Thursday, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern.”

There are five confirmed cases in the U.S., including two in Southern California counties Los Angeles and Orange.

A Sacramento organization on Wednesday announced the postponement of a Lunar New Year celebration scheduled in early February. The announcement came two days after the city of Elk Grove canceled its Lunar New Year celebration that was scheduled for Friday.

However, many locals say they are not sweating about the virus yet.

Michelle Liu, owner of Yong Tai Ginseng, a Chinese herbal store on Stockton Boulevard, said she does not sense panic in the community, although more people came in and asked for antiviral herbs or products to boost their immune systems.

According to Liu, many inquired for the isatis root electuary beverage, a dietary supplement that some feel is effective in strengthening the immune system and preventing the flu.

“Everyone was asking for it, and it was sold out in the past two days,” Liu said in Cantonese. “Many of them don’t necessarily have the habit of drinking it. They drink it now just to be safe.”

While the electuary beverage packet is out of stock at the store, the isatis root herbal plant is available.

Liu believes customers aren’t panicking, but are taking precautionary measures.

Although her store does not sell face masks, she bought some and plans to donate them and some cash to people in China.

Liu is a member of the group China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification, one of some overseas Chinese organizations to donate medical supplies to those in need in China. The supplies will go through the Consulate-General of China in San Francisco to the Red Cross Society based in Hubei province, where the city of Wuhan is. She bought 120 face masks to be donated “to those who need them the most, as they cannot afford to go about without it.”

“We understand how hopeless they felt,” Liu said of people in China. “Many of us pondered on the ways to support them when it (coronavirus) happened. We are all Chinese people. Those who are suffering are just regular citizens. We try to do as much as we can.”

Savey Keo, a dispenser at herbal store Wah Tsun Chinese Herbs Co., told some of his clients who came to him with coronavirus concerns to wear a mask just to be safe.

“You have to protect yourself, or else you are going to regret it when you get infected. Better safe than sorry,” Keo said in Cantonese. He wears a mask at work.

Keo recommended to his clientele an herbal soup with ingredients such as lily bulbs and monk fruit to clear their lungs and remove phlegm. He advised those who run a fever to consult a doctor.

He said the media need to educate the public on coronavirus preventive measures and the ways the virus can spread.

Chloe Leung, who previously lived in Sacramento and now resides in the Bay Area, came to purchase herbs at Wah Tsun. Raised in Hong Kong and having experienced the SARS outbreak in 2003, Leung said she is aware of the virus.

“My parents (in Hong Kong) go to work wearing face masks every day,” Leung said in Cantonese. “But it’s not like they are not going out. It’s unavoidable.”

But Leung and her friends aren’t too worried, as the number of cases in the U.S. is still small. She has a friend who is purchasing face masks for his parents in China, albeit unsure how much he could purchase.

Michael Melendez, a downtown Sacramento resident, said despite the virus’ spread, he’s not worried about it reaching Sacramento.

“Everybody just got to wash their hands when they get home,” Melendez said. “Any kind of symptoms (of flu) I would just go to the doctor.”

“I think it (coronavirus) is contained,” said Daniel B. Lorenz, a Sacramento resident. “As long as the government monitors individuals entering from at-risk areas, I think everything will be fine.”

This story was originally published January 30, 2020 at 12:24 PM with the headline "‘Better safe than sorry’: How Sacramento residents are preparing for coronavirus."