Two Cape Town drag queens living in China have survived two months of lockdown.
Now Miss Gay Western Cape 2012 winner, Zilin Ayoki Zhang, and 2015 winner, Camille Von Zuush, want to share their story with South Africans preparing for isolation from the deadly Coronavirus outbreak tomorrow.
The queens, who are teaching English in the Far East, have been in quarantine since January, when the pandemic began.
Zilin, from Mitchells Plain, moved to the Hunan province in July last year and Camille, from Wellington, followed her in September, settling in the Qinghai province.
Camille says two months in quarantine has brought her “closer to God”.
“I really used this time to reflect on my life and my relationship with God. I learnt to put my faith and trust in God during that crucial time,” she says.
“I took time out to think about my future plans and drafted some classwork for my students when I return to school.
“Right now we don’t know when we can return to work yet, but we are safe now.
“We are now over the scary time of quarantine so now we can go outside, visit malls, restaurants.
“We still have to stay out of crowded areas and wear masks for a while longer.”
FEAR: Zilin and Camille Von Zuush in China. Pictures: Facebook
Camille advised mense to adhere to President’s Cyril Ramaphosa’s restrictions in order to stop the spread of Covid-19.
“There is hope, just listen to the President and stay indoors, this virus is bigger than you, it will really harm your lifestyle.”
Zilin shared some tips on food and how to pass the time.
“A lockdown means exactly what it says, stay in your house!” she says.
“Enjoy some of your favourite shows or catch up on previous episodes.
“Make sure you have enough food, but there’s no need to panic-buy.
“Start perfecting your cooking skills and have meal times as a family (if you live with family).
“For those living in solitude, use social media to start chat groups and share thoughts and ideas with others.
“I’ve been exercising social distancing and self-isolation for 10 weeks now and it’s not easy.
“Drink plenty of hot beverages, preferably hot water, gargle with salt water and wash your hands regularly.
“Always remember that the situation can be far worse than what it is now.
“You have a choice, either protect yourself or expose yourself and your loved ones to the virus.
“This is the ‘new norm’, nobody can escape it, but manage it with the choices you make.”
SHARE: Drag queens lockdown
On Tuesday, China announced it would lift the lockdown on Wuhan, the city at the epicentre of the pandemic, on 8 April.
No new infection cases have been reported in five days in the country where 3,277 people have died.