How to Protect Yourself in Beijing’s Catkin Season
advertisement
Springtime in Beijing brings warm weather, much-needed sunshine, and everyone’s favorite, the willow catkins. If you don’t know what these are, they are the tiny, white fluff-balls flying around everywhere you go. They are practically impossible to escape! You’ll see them while walking around the city center, in the alleys of the hutongs, and even hitching a ride with you on your Didi.
Not only do these fuzzy tufts ruin your view of the city, but they can also cause allergic reactions for many residents. Some of these symptoms could be mistaken as symptoms of COVID-19, and as fear and anxiety ramps up, this could cause many people with allergies unnecessary concern.
advertisement
Thankfully, at the daily press conference on Beijing’s fight against the COVID-19 epidemic last Monday, Chengshuo Wang, a rhinologist from Beijing Tongren Hospital made a statement reminding people not to be alarmed during this allergy season by highlighting the symptoms, and stressing that there is no evidence to prove willow catkins can carry the Coronavirus. Wang also came out with some tips on how to protect yourself from catkins. Here are the tips outlined for us.
Whether it’s for prevention from the virus, or just to avoid the allergy to catkins, wear a mask whenever you go out. It is better not to wear clothes that catkins can get stuck on easily.
After coming back home, always wash your hands and face, and clean your nose.
Choose a time when there are less catkins to exercise outdoors, such as early in the morning, late at night, or after rain.
Try not to open your window for too long when it’s catkin season. Clean the catkins on furniture, floors, and electronic devices regularly.
To avoid catkins sticking on clothes, don’t hang clothes outdoors.
Maintain a healthy diet, such as eating more light food, and less spicy or inflammatory food, such as red meat, sweet candies, and wine.
Clean out the dust and catkins from your car regularly.
Pay attention to fire safety by not throwing cigarettes recklessly, or lighting a fire to ignite catkins.
Maintain a good mood.
advertisement
Photo: Chinadaily, cgtn
Hot Topics This Week
The Senior Year That Wasn't: Jennifer Z
Beijing Hikers Share Their Experience on Family Hiking