Chongqing - During this COVID-19 epidemic, thousands of ex-pats in Chongqing are performing self-quarantine at home. How are they handling all the difficulties of this challenging time? Are they safe, and do they have enough support from the local government and communities? In this series 'Living with COVID-19, iChongqing is reaching out to them online to share their stories.

Ben Brown first came to Chongqing in 1994 as part of student exchange and has spent much of the past 25 years living in the Mountain City. 

In recent years, he has become quite a celebrity both locally and online in China. He runs a successful craft beer chain called 'Ben's Bar,' and humorously points out that  'Ben' happens to mean stupid in Chinese!

He speaks the local Chongqing dialect with a very authentic accent, and I first saw him on the Chinese app 'Douyin,' where he has a large following in China.

Today, Ben kindly agreed to an online interview from home in Chongqing. I hope you enjoy learning about him and his experiences of living with COVID-19.

 

Watch other episodes in our COVID series: 

Three young university students share their experiences on campus during the outbreak

Russian Language professor Olga Kazmina talks to iChongqing from home in Beibei District

Sharon, manager of the Crowne Plaza in Jiefangbei, speaks on iChongqing about the effects on business

Ian Beyer joins iChongqing to share his experiences of 24 hour quarantine in Bishan District.

Famous Youtube vloggers Gweilo and Reportify Media join iChongqing to share thoughts on the COVID-19 crisis.

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