Read some creative writing examples by the Turkish team.  They wrote imaginary diary entries of Doctor Wenliang, an ordinary doctor in Turkey, some students and one of the pilgrims who were accused of bringing the virus to Turkey.

The diary of Doctor Wenliang:

11/2019
 

      There's some kind of communication between humanity and animals that is important now.
 

      It's about health and problems.
 

      Health is good but I’d prefer it to stay away from problems.
 

      Well, I found out something so terrifying. The number of ill people is going up. And they are all have the same illness. I think there's a contagious disease. The symptoms shows that this disease is all about lungs and respiratory. A roaring cough, never ending high fever, dry nose, having problems with breathing… It should be kept in control or it would spread out to the whole world. I messaged my colleague and they tried to share it as possible… Now China says I’m lying… You know, it… kinda hurts when you need to be taken seriously but no one believes you. Even so you keep going because something you give up now might cost everything in this situation. I. Am. Not. Giving up. Listen or not, I know the truth. This is real and if it's not handled it will turn into a literal pain. Now all China’s saying to me is, “Keep on living! We're celebrating, pal!” All I heard was this. It's just not to cancel the celebration, I understand- okay well good but let's take some precautions, shall we? My only request, and my very first step, is to tell people this so they’d feel like they should take precautions…
 

      Maybe I can raise some awareness around my close area. I have to make someone believe me. I feel like this sentence became my motivation now. I have to make someone believe me so that I may rescue  at least one life.

                                                                                                         by Ayşe Melek

Diary of a doctor in Turkey:

Dear Diary,                                     March 11.2020
 

  You won’t believe what happened today. Our Ministry of Health made a statement in the evening hours. He officially announced the Coronavirus pandemic.
 

   And I have been with patients since morning. I had the chance to see what it was like closely and when I saw the patients, I was afraid. We don’t know what to do against this disease because we’ve just met. I’m also afraid of getting sick. But since I’m with patients all day, it could be me too. I don’t know what to do. I’m so confused. My patient who came yesterday thought he had severe flu, his condition was very bad, he kept saying that his bones ached. And many more cases like this! After I came from the hospital, I cleaned the house as deeply as possible. Then I called my family and told them to be careful.
 

I hope I won’t get sick.
 

I will come back Daily.

                                                      by Nida

Diary of a primary school student

March 11,2020
 

                                         Wednesday 
 

Dear Diary,
 

I’m very sad today because the schools are closed for 1 week. I won’t be able to see my classmates and my dear teacher for 1 week.  My mother come to pick me up after school.  On the way home by car,  I realized that I forgot my favorite toy at the school. When I wanted to go back and get it, my mother didn’t hear me the first time, she was very fussy but when she did, she got mad at me. She said we don’t have time to go back.   I was very angry with my mother so I starded shouting.   My mother wanted talk to me when I got home and told me to tell her but I wanted my toy. When we finally got home, my grandmother cleaned the whole house there was strange smell in the house. My mother said that the reason for the smell was bleach.  It was the first time since my grandmother moved to us that I saw her cleaning like crazy. Later I was eating, my mother sat next tome and started talking to me like a teenager, I liked it very much. My mother said I won’t go to school for a more than a week. The reason was an illness that came to our country and it could make me sick. I was so scared.  If it could make me sick, it could make everyone sick, what about my dad? He is my hero and other children because he is doctor. My grandmother came to us and said that my dad would not come home for a while and that he would help other people. I’m a little sad that I won’t be able to see my dad. When my dad calls I'll tell him that I miss him so much already.
 

Byeeee Diary ☺

                                                                                                                             by Ecem

Diaries of 3 high school students 

March 6th, 2020 - Today was the last day of school before the coronavirus pandemic. It feels so weird to be leaving for an indefinite period of time. Everyone was talking about it in the hallways and everyone had a different opinion on what would happen. Some were scared, some were hopeful, and others were angry. I just couldn’t believe it was actually happening. I didn’t want to leave. It felt like everything was just being stripped away.                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                        by Esilla

March 11, 2020

Until today we were talking and joking about this virus a lot with my friends.  But I never expected it to come out in our country.  They say it’s really very dangerous.  This worried me too much ut since there is only one case in our country I think it will end quickly.

I talked to my English teacher today.  She told me that schools could stay closed for more than a week.  This was good news, but when I got home in the evening.  I saw that it wasn’t like that.  they would also take very strict precautions.  My mom and dad also decided to stop things for a while.  The worries and fears both passed an to me.  My mom said these cases could be more.  This scared me more and things got mixed up.

Schools are closing tomorrow.  I probably won’t see my friends for a long time.  That’s why I want to spend more time with them tomorrow.  Although it’s nice that the schools are closing I hope this illness ends quickly.  I hope that a large number of people will not have to die because of the disease and I hope everything will be fine soon.

                                                                                                                       by Ceren

Dear Diary,
 

      Back in the days, they announced that some virus called Corona has started to spread out. It's so scary that people are dying so quickly. We all became paranoid. Do I have virus on my hand? Should I wash my hands again? Are there any ill people here? Should I wear a second mask? How long was I there? Was that room refreshed before I came in? Can I go out today? It's better not to, right?..
 

      It's so stressful to live with this… Day by day, ill people become more faithless about living. Some people say there is no such thing called Coronavirus. Some people say humanity will end with this. Some are joking and some are having health problems without being ill. It's so hard to understand people. Even if we are the same kind..
 

      I've never thought that I’ll miss going to school this much. It's so boring not to do anything at all by myself. All people I’m seeing everyday I wake up are my parents and siblings. I'm out of my mind already. I even would meet up with the ones who are annoying me the most…
 

      We can't find anything at the shops. The prices went high suddenly and the things we buy aren’t that worthy to buy anymore. Everything became harder to find. I don't want to think about how bad are poor people and the homeless. They'd be suffering more than anyone. You're homeless and you’re ill with Coronavirus… Just… one thought makes me feel terrible…
 

      Why is it happening? Why do we have to live these? Just because some people ate bats? It's not fair… I don’t think it's fair. Younger people after this period of time will be… like… stupid! They won't know anything about their jobs because they studied from home… Surfing the Net while having online classes… I know because I did that too… You can't deal with it.
 

      It will be so hard for the whole world to pick everything up after this. I wish… everything could be the same as it was… I wish for the good to all people who’s suffering with illness… And I wish it to end without any bad things happen…
                                                                                                             by Ayşe Melek

Diary of a pilgrim coming from abroad:

With God's dearest blessings, we have finally arrived to Türkiye. It feels so pleasant to be at home after all that sacred adventure. I'm so happy that I’m meeting with my close circle again. They all welcomed me with their sparkling faces. Some even kissed my hands and wished for my praying for their well beings as in the way of our tradition. We sat in a room and talked about my holy journey for hours. The room was so crowded that we almost sat on each other! That made me even happier. I would always teach the ones who wants to learn how to reach God! So I telled everything about it and didn't wanted them to go before I finish.
 

Hours were already passed as an effusive river when we were finally separated. I was satisfied with my life when I went to rest. I was a little tired. And maybe I was cold. I felt a tiny ache on my chest but I’m sure it's my longing for my beautiful homeland Türkiye. I can't be happier and better than I feel right now! Oh, thank God!
 

----
 

      Oh. My… I think I wasn't that good last night! Look at these news, oh God… What a grand misfortune… That chest ache wasn't that innocent, it means… Oh my Goodness…

                        by Ayşe Melek