Yemeni doctor Ammar Albaadani makes videos providing medical information to help calm fears and contain the virus. [Photo/CGTN]

Yemeni doctor Ammar Albaadani is also helping by providing professional medical suggestions via WeChat, a Facebook-like platform, to clarify online rumors and calm fears.

The doctor told CGTN that about 20 of his friends have been asking him about the epidemic every day, and replying to them individually eats up a lot of time. So, he decided to make videos and share them on his WeChat Moments to widen his reach. He believes the advice and notices that he shares can provide help to a lot of people, especially after his friends shared the videos.

Albaadani said that the rumors going around about the epidemic worry him, so he felt obliged to set the record straight and relieve public anxiety by sharing medical information. 

"For example, they have said you can't receive Chinese goods, Chinese packages, because they may continue the virus. As a doctor, I feel obligated to tell people the truth," Asad told CGTN, "The virus can't live long on surfaces. It needs a host, so don't believe such rumors."

More than 15,000 merchants from over 100 countries live in the city of Yiwu, and a growing number of foreigners like Asad and Albaadani are now joining in the battle against the virus. They firmly believe the hard times will pass.