In simple, straightforward language, the banners and slogans call on villagers to stay put, avoid going out for parties and gatherings, wear
masks, report to the authorities if they have a fever or return from
coronavirus-hit regions, and warn against eating game.
These candid snapshots shed light on China’s massive grassroots-level control measures in response to the outbreak as Zhong
Nanshan, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and an expert in
respiratory diseases, pointed out that the most effective way to
control the epidemic is early identification and early quarantine of
those infected.
Wuhan, epicenter of the coronavirus, is a megacity with one of China’s biggest influxes of people. On the night of January 26, Wuhan
Mayor Zhou Xianwang said more than 5 million people left the Hubei
capital before the lockdown. The question arises as to where all these 5
million people have gone.
Most are migrant workers and professionals who return home each year during the chunyun, the Chinese New Year travel rush, the world’s
largest annual exodus of the migrant population who return home for the
most important family reunion and festival celebrations.
Data collected by Baidu Migration Interactive and reported by China Business News shows that around 60-70 percent of people departing Wuhan
from January 10 to 22 went to other regions in Hubei Province, while the
rest went to neighboring provinces and other parts of the country rest
of the countries.
That means at least 2 or 3 million of the 5 million have returned home to rural areas. Compared with cities, rural areas lack adequate
medical facilities and professional expertise.In order to urge villagers
to protect themselves, publicity staff at China’s grassroots-level
governments have translated the central government’s call into
actionable measures.Slogans and banners are posted in every village and
recordings are broadcast from vehicles. Volunteers visit every household
to tell villagers to take control measures.
Hundreds of medical teams, with thousands of doctors and nurses from cities across the country, are rushing to Wuhan. Two hospitals are
under construction in the city to be dedicated to treating this single
virus. Donations are pouring in. Chinese and foreign companies emptied
their stocks, procured worldwide, leaving no stone unturned in the
search for eye protection goggles, gloves, masks and gowns to be donated
to hospitals in need. Express companies provide free and accelerated
delivery services. Tollbooths give the green light to deliveries without
charge.
