Beijing Bunker: "I Go out Every Day for at Least 10 Minutes. I Am Not Counting Beer Calories."

As Beijing enters its sixth week in self-quarantine, the stories of how people have been dealing with the coronavirus outbreak – by staying, leaving, or watching on from afar – are many and varied. In Beijing Bunker, we quiz Beijingers on what approach they've been taking to stay safe and sane through the ordeal.

After arriving in Beijing over a decade ago, Giovanna Gargiulo has always felt an affinity for the city. Having studied here during the Olympics, she eventually decided to settle; a decision that not only helped introduce her to her future husband but also led her to make a significant change in careers. Now working in the F&B sector, Gargiulo talks to us below about what affect the coronavirus has had on her business as well as what differences in treatment she, as an Italian, has experienced in Beijing.

Can you first tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?
My name is Giovanna Gargiulo and I am a 31. I am Italian. My first time in Beijing was during the 2008 Olympics while I was at the university majoring in Chinese Studies. I did not realize right away the connection with this place, but I came back every year after 2008 for different reasons until 2011, when I accepted a permanent position in a Beijing company. I fell in love with my Italian husband here; he is from the north of Italy, I am from the south, and we would have never met otherwise. We got married in Beijing and moved to Dubai shortly after our visit to the registration office and some celebratory beers with friends. We spent more than two years in Dubai, but I was missing Beijing too much so we decided to come back! I have a background in sports marketing and events, mainly football, and organized – among other projects – the Italian and French Super Cups in Beijing and Shanghai. I was also in charge of the first acquisition of a European football club by a Chinese company. But this is history... I have since happily moved into the F&B sector and now work with the main Italian food supplier company in Beijing, while simultaneously taking an online master's degree in strategic marketing. 

Would you consider yourself safe, sane, safe and sane, or other? Why?
I would consider myself more safe than sane. What I mean is that my perception of the city never changed. Even after the outbreak, there was no one day when I did not feel safe here. Of course, at first, it was a bit tricky to get used to the control measures, but the feeling of constraint was never accompanied by panic or anxiety. On the other hand, I cannot say that the feeling of constraint coupled with the situation not being under control, with the everyday changes and the fragmented info, did sometimes test with my sanity! The situation has gotten worse in the few last days with regards to the virus situation in Italy and how that has affected us here: we are more monitored and checked and we have had to provide much more information. Everybody has always been kind, and I believe speaking Mandarin is helpful in this kind of situation, though it is difficult to feel relaxed. 

Has the virus disrupted your travel plans or those of your loved ones?
Yes, my husband usually travels every month to Dubai, but he has decided not to leave Beijing since the start of the outbreak because of uncertainty around the evolution of the quarantine measures and travel restrictions. He also had to cancel a business trip to Italy at the very beginning because his colleagues were afraid of the virus. Let’s say that the situation has changed a lot since then!

How have you been spending your time since the outbreak? How has your life changed or not changed on account of the situation?
A lot of Netflix and chill, studying, and comfort food interspersed with very healthy lean food. And a lot of work from home and the office. I've also had to reduce my gatherings with friends, no more live music with my band, fewer visits to clients, and in general, fewer activities outside.

Has the situation affected your work or business? If so, how?
The situation has certainly had a major impact on the F&B sector. Our major clients are international hotels, which are basically still closed. Restaurant businesses are going through a tough time as well, the orders we receive have decreased. This was an expected outcome of the epidemic, though it is difficult to forecast when the situation will return to normality. We can only wait and see. Anyway, we did not sit and wait: we changed our strategy and put our business at the service of the community, opening deliveries of a whole range of products up to private customers. 

Have there been any unexpected “upsides” to this whole situation?
More time with my husband and getting back into meditation!

Which resources (online or real-life) have proved the most useful to you during this time?
I decided to steer clear of foreign media for my own sanity; there's too much disinformation and sensationalism. I have only two "favorites" saved in my WeChat which I consult every day: the Beijinger's “Coronavirus Count” and the Chinese official coronavirus count platform. 

What's one thing that you've done that has saved you a lot of hassle/time/insanity?
Meditation. I reduced my contact with anxious people. I go out every day for at least 10 minutes. I am not counting beer calories. I keep my apartment in order, and with it, my mind. I yield to my needs and feelings of the moment without judgment. I wake up every morning with feelings of gratitude. I keep myself busy with work.

What do you most look forward to doing once all of this has blown over?
To get rid of the mask and disinfectants! To hug people and to go on vacation!

READ: "I Need a Proper Vacation After All This. It Has Been Stressful!"

Image courtesy of Giovanna Gargiulo