PB native, living in China, taking steps to thwart COVID-19

The coronavirus outbreak spurred many Americans living and working in China to make an extended trip home, but Poplar Bluff native Ross Whelan decided to stay on the front lines.

Whelan, his wife, Liz, and her family live in Guangzhou, located in the water-rich area of southern China.

Whelan, the son of Robin and Robert Whelan of Poplar Bluff, believes anything like the coronavirus “changes anyone’s life, and we see ‘life-changing events’ all over the news, like anything else has impacted our life in many small and big ways.”

Photo provided Poplar Bluff native Ross Whelan interacts with children in China, where he is teaching English.

He and his family “get our temperature checked entering in and out of our villas, as well as when we leave our territory, state, province,” Whelan said.

Photo provided Poplar Bluff native Ross Whelan and his wife, Liz, live in Guangzhou, China.

“We of course live in a Tier 1 City, and as such we take a lot more precautions for gatherings and public transportation,” he said.

Guangzhou residents are not used to wearing masks like those who live in Shanghai, where it is common due to the air there.

Whelan said, “we wear masks now all the time, sometimes gloves, taking our own temperatures, maintaining stronger paper-work for our travels for documentation, and well, washing our hands and ensuring we cover our mouths when we cough and ensure we sneeze into a tissue, just like our moms taught us.”

Whelan adds, “in some areas it has been super difficult, but in ours and many others in China, the inconveniences are minor. Especially compared with the benefits, as we say in China ‘let’s go through this together.’”

He doesn’t find any of the restrictions unreasonable.

Ross Whelan

“Absolutely not, the world is a team, and all pull together as a society. China is like that, all about society and family,” he said.

Of course, he’s looking forward to returning to a normal life.

“I currently teach English with an international school for ages 2 and up, and love it,” he said.

Ross Whelan is surrounded by family and friends. Photo provided

Whelan explained, he has used his restricted time wisely.

“I have been improving my education online, as well as having the opportunity to pursue my passion in design as well,” he said.

He’s also enjoyed “spending time with my wife and family.”

Ross Whelan is photographed in China. Photo provided

Whelan advised, if and when the virus arrives in his hometown, “First, stay calm. Remember, we are family, so, be positive. Follow all procedures: they are for your healing, health and safety.

“Remember there is also a very high recovery rate,, although our hearts all go out to all of the loved ones lost. Nothing can bring back those lives, or the joy they brought.

“Eat, pray, love, hope – I believe science still proves taking and following measures prescribed for recovery as well as prevention mixed with positive energy is the best advice. As we say in China ‘Jaiyo.’”

Whelan originally went to China “to see the sights, the history and maybe do a little work.”

He was traveling with former NBA basketball player Tyler Hansbrough as his personal trainer and close friend when the two moved to China a little more than two years ago.

Explaining he feels “it was also my joy as two country boys from Poplar Bluff, Missouri, U.S.A. to watch my best friend play in the CBA for the Guangzhou Long-Lions Zhejiang Lions (and later the Sichuan Whales).”

“I really love my home country, and I love China,” he said, adding he’s “a person who lives and works overseas as so many choose to do in a global economy.”

China is a huge change culturally, just as America is for others, he said.

“I have been fortunate to have found a person here of culture and a love who shares my passion for global living between two cultures that seem to be opposite, but we all eat, live, love and laugh and love sports, and our children’s future is what we care about - so, a lot in common really,” Whalen said.