Winton Dong

dht0620@126.com

THE Chinese Government announced that from 10 a.m. Thursday, all flights and passenger train services out of Wuhan were temporarily stopped. Bus, subway and ferry services were also shut down at the same time.

This is a timely and responsible action taken by the Chinese Government to contain the momentum of the spread of the new respiratory virus. At the sacrifice of Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, China has shown a responsible and resolute attitude to its citizens and even the world.

However, this is also a difficult and painful decision.

It is said to be the first time that the country has sealed off a provincial capital since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. Located in Central China, Wuhan not only boasts more than 10 million residents but also serves as an important land, water and air transportation terminal for the nation.

As a Chinese saying goes: “When disaster occurs, help comes from all sides.” Actually, Wuhan is not alone in fighting the rampant epidemic. All Chinese people will stand firmly with the city to overcome the difficulties. Especially with the coming of the Lunar New Year, various measures should be taken and all-out support should be offered to Wuhan in order to ensure a peaceful holiday there.

Firstly, the supply of food, water, meat, oil, vegetables, electricity, gas and telecommunication networks should be maintained and the prices of such products should remain stable.

When a city is isolated from the outside world, people there are prone to panic. Sufficient supplies and stable prices of basic necessities are of vital importance to maintain calm in a tense atmosphere.

Meanwhile, with the quick spread of the virus, Wuhan is surely in great need of medical facilities and materials, such as reagents of the new virus, infrared temperature detectors, protective clothing, breathing masks, disinfectant and liquid soap. With the coming Spring Festival, many courier companies have already stopped operating their express businesses. Under these circumstances, army troops or other governmental agencies may be quickly mobilized to transport such medical necessities from other parts of the country to Wuhan.

While the local government is asking common citizens to stay home, medical staff, police force personnel and all governmental employees in Wuhan are now working around the clock to safeguard the city. Given the serious lessons learned after 15 medical staffers were infected by patients, special protection should be given to these people who have contact with confirmed or suspected cases.

Transparency is very important in the process of curbing the disease. However, rumors have also been flying since the outbreak. While reporting official daily figures and progress in timely manner, governments at various levels should take pains to punish rumor mongers and those who spread fake news and stir social unrest in accordance with the law.

In spite of the forceful measures taken in Wuhan, concerted efforts and actions are also urgently needed to contain the coronavirus nationwide. With Shenzhen as an example, millions of migrant workers from all over the country will return to the special economic zone after the Spring Festival. The local government must make advanced plans and get fully prepared for the possibility of an outbreak in the city.