A Wuhan-based Samoan student has written a song expressing support for China in the midst of the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic.

Philton Solomona, the son of veteran Samoan musician and composer Ueta M. P. Solomona, currently attends the Central China Normal University in Wuhan.

He recently wrote a song titled “thank you” and dedicated it to the doctors and the nurses who are working to contain the virus in China.

“I just want to thank the doctors and nurses for not only doing their jobs but also being good at it. This virus is new and there is no vaccine yet, their supplies are low and from what I have seen on the news, there are doctors treating patients without masks because there aren’t enough therefore putting themselves at great risk,” Mr. Solomona said.

“This to me is true selflessness, the willingness to put yourself at risk so that a stranger will have a better chance of living another day.”

The first verse of the song is based on what the public has seen on the news of how doctors and nurses are at the frontlines of the disease.

Mr. Solomona said he was inspired by the risks that the health workers took and keeping morale high while the public was in lockdown.

“The first verse explains what we saw on the news as the healthcare workers on the frontlines and the beginning of the epidemic. How they tried to keep up morale for the rest of the public who were on lockdown. Which in itself is a great feat because they were around death all day for at least two months.”

When asked by the Samoa Observer what else the Samoan community in China has done to support China, he said: “To follow the law. As guests in this country, the most respectful thing we can do is listen and obey China’s laws. China has not failed us. By letting us be here during their time of crisis they have promised us we will be safe and we are.”

Mr Solomona appealed to Samoans at home not to panic as he claims there is now enough information available to prepare the local population for COVID-19.

“By now there is enough information out there to help you try and prevent getting sick and what to do if you are," he added.