一艘生病的船

The news shows a ship.

This ship is very big.

There are many people on the ship.

Some are men, some are women.

Some are adults, some are old.

Over a hundred people in total.

Where are they going?

They want to go home.

But they can't go back.

Why?

Because someone on the ship is sick.

The sick people can't get off.

Everyone has to wait.

Xiao Ming finds it strange.

Xiao Ming asks his dad.

Dad, what is this?

Dad says: you're watching the news.

Xiao Ming says: yes.

But I can't quite understand.

Dad says: let me tell you.

That's a big ship.

We call it a "cruise ship."

A cruise ship is a very, very big ship.

People play on it.

They eat on it.

They sleep on it.

It's like a small city.

But this ship is at sea.

Xiao Ming says: oh.

That's big.

Dad says: yes.

On April 1,

this ship set off.

There were 147 people on board.

Some went to travel.

Some were working there.

They were going to see Antarctica.

Antarctica is the coldest place on Earth.

There's ice, snow, and big birds.

Very far away.

They wanted to go see it.

Xiao Ming says: cool.

Dad says: but a problem came up.

Some people started coughing.

Some started having fever.

Some felt very bad.

There's a doctor on the ship.

The doctor took a look.

But couldn't tell what illness.

Later,

one person died.

Then another person died.

Now three people have died.

Xiao Ming says: wow.

That's a lot.

He says: how could this happen?

Dad says: because there's a virus.

Xiao Ming says: what is a virus?

Dad says: a virus is a tiny thing you can't see.

Very, very small.

Eyes can't see it.

But it makes people sick.

Some viruses spread from person to person.

Some viruses spread from animals to people.

Xiao Ming says: where did this virus come from?

Dad says: don't know.

Doctors are still investigating.

But one person

was already sick before boarding.

He himself didn't know.

He got on the ship.

Later he died.

Later his wife also died.

Then another person.

Xiao Ming says: that's scary.

Dad says: yes.

But this disease doesn't spread easily.

Not everyone will catch it.

Xiao Ming says: so what now?

Dad says: the ship is sailing on the sea.

Recently,

the ship arrived at a place.

That place is called Cape Verde.

Cape Verde is a country.

In the Atlantic Ocean.

But the ship didn't dock.

They had the ship wait.

Later three patients

were taken away by plane.

Sent to a hospital.

The others are still on the ship.

They can't come down.

Xiao Ming says: how do they eat?

Dad says: there's food on the ship.

There's also water.

There are also beds.

But everyone is wearing masks.

A "mask" is the thing on top of your mouth and nose.

Why wear it?

Because when you wear it,

the disease doesn't spread as easily.

They watch movies in their rooms.

They walk outside alone.

But they don't play together anymore.

Xiao Ming says: oh.

They must be very scared.

Dad says: yes.

But they're also being good.

They listen to the doctors.

Xiao Ming says: where is the ship going now?

Dad says: the ship is going to another place.

That place is called the Canary Islands.

Also in the Atlantic Ocean.

It's a bit closer to Spain.

The hospitals there are better.

But at first,

the people there also didn't want the ship to come.

They were afraid of the virus.

Later,

the Spanish government said: we have to let them come.

People can't just wait at sea like this.

We need to help them.

Xiao Ming says: that's good.

Dad says: yes.

So now,

the ship is slowly sailing.

The doctors are waiting.

The families are also waiting.

The whole world is watching this.

Xiao Ming asks: why is the whole world watching?

Dad says: because there are people from many countries on the ship.

There are Dutch people,

there are German people,

there are British people,

and people from other countries.

23 countries in total.

So 23 countries are helping.

And worrying.

Xiao Ming says: oh, I get it.

Dad says: remember one thing.

That is:

viruses are small, but powerful.

So we should always:

wash our hands.

Don't touch animal droppings.

If your body feels off,

tell mom and dad.

Xiao Ming says: okay.

I will.

Dad smiles.

He pats Xiao Ming's head.

He says: you're a good boy.

Dad says: I hope the people on that ship

can all go home.

Xiao Ming also says: I hope so too.

The news keeps playing.

The two of them watch together.

That ship

is still on the sea.

Sailing slowly.

Many people are waiting for it.

Many people are helping it too.

That's what Xiao Ming heard today.