22 BEIJING REVIEW MARCH 26, 2020 http://www.bjreview.com
A
s a senior manager at a training institu-
tion in north China, Chang Qing used
to have a hectic schedule, which left
her no time for cooking. But since the novel
coronavirus outbreak, which has forced
people to stay indoor till it is brought under
complete control, she has transformed into
a chef. She cooks regularly at home now and
often posts photos of the dishes on social
networking platforms.
“I follow a healthier diet now,” Chang,
who used to eat out or order food online
in the past, told Shijiazhuang-based Hebei
Daily. “I am going to maintain a healthy
diet even after the epidemic is over and
I go back to my normal work schedule.”
Like Chang, many people are cooking more
often at home as many restaurants still remain
closed and many are worried about the safety
of delivered food.New home entertainment
According to data released by food delivery
company Meituan-Dianping on February 19,
the number of searches for baking tools and
materials jumped more than 100 times during
the Spring Festival holiday period, which lasted
from January 24 to February 2 this year. The sale
of yeast, another baking ingredient, increased
nearly forty-fold and dumpling wraps over sev-
en times. Many respondents reported making
dumplings and bread at home, while making
cakes in a rice cooker also became a fad.
The enforced stay at home has also be-
come Tuality time spent with parents and other
family members, especially for those who work
outside their hometown.
Liu Yizhou, who works in Beijing, went
home in Hengshui in north China for the Spring
Festival and has been held up there by the
outbreak. While the entire family stays mostly at
home, cooking has become a stronger bonding
factor for them. Every day Liu goes out to buy
vegetables, his wife helps him wash them, and
his mother cooks. Over their meals, the whole
family shares news they Ķ nd interesting. Liu said
he had never spent so much time with his fam-
ily for years.Turning Over
A New Leaf
Novel coronavirus outbreak changes SeoSle·s
everyday habits and rituals By Ji Jing
Zhang Ning, a Ķ tness coach in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in northwest China, Ķ lms a video showing how to exercise at home on March 8
XIN
HU
ANATION