Today I read an article posted by a 21 year old "American born" college student - WFT you an American?, or are you AMERICAN BORN?  Shouldn't be a difference.  

Maybe I should re-start for a moment.  I wish Nick no ill-will.  I hope this guy makes it out of Wuhan healthy.  If he does he will have a great story to tell his grand children about how he survived whatever this outbreak becomes. 

Nick tried to leave .... tried to get to the Airport 30 miles away.  I have heard of the Chinese government quarantining the city.  Maybe the commies have checkpoints preventing movement of cars and trains and bicycles.  When I was in my early 20's I marched 25 miles in 12 hours with a combat load - every quarter.  Because it was ordered too.  Now if I thought my life depended on it, I would jog 30 miles in less than 12 hours.  He was quoted as saying "I couldn't believe what I just heard.  That's not how you deal with a citizen in need .... it seemed like she didn't care."  

But, you take a personal risk going to a communist country to study.  I am guessing this guy has Chinese relatives, otherwise how the hell / why the hell would you go to China to study geodesy.  -- I am guessing you have to be pretty good at speaking Chinese to be able to do that!?   More power for him doing so, but I am also guessing that he would be really well payed if he successfully graduates. 

So we have a "US-German citizen (who I suspect has Chinese relatives) who has lived most of his life in Germany" -- whining about getting stuck in a communist country.   WHAAAAA!  Take a little personal responsibly in your risk / reward choices.  This reminds me of some soldiers you run into who joined the army for the GI bill to pay for college and when they are deployed to a combat zone the get all "this isn't why I joined!"   

Nick, I hope you make it out safe - You'll be a better man.  Now quit whining; stand up become that man!  Oh, and make a decision on what your nationality is.