Close to heart of the matter, Huanggang takes firm stance

Everyone must stay home. Only one member of each household may go out shopping, and only once every two days. Exceptions will be made for those who need to see a doctor, work in essential services or drug stores, or are directly involved in the supply of food and other daily necessities. There are also exceptions for those fighting on the frontline of efforts to contain and control the coronavirus.

Make no mistake, this is no science-fiction. These are yesterday’s orders of the municipal government of Huanggang, the second most populous city in central China’s Hubei Province.

Around 80 kilometers from Wuhan, epicenter of the outbreak, by yesterday, Huanggang, with a population of 7.5 million, had more than 1,000 confirmed cases of infection. Only the provincial capital where the virus originated has been worse hit. So far, more than 4,000 of Wuhan’s 10 million residents have been infected by the virus.

Coronavirus is spread mainly through coughing and close physical contact with those who are infected. Staying at home, keeping as isolated as possible, is currently seen as the best way of containing the virus, until an effective vaccine becomes available.

Clearly life will become very difficult for Huanggang residents, but it is an inconvenience that each individual is obliged to bear. The virus will not be defeated without such overt demonstrations of civic virtue, which are the moral duty of us all. The government alone cannot win this war, but the support of each and every one of us is required.

Hot on the heels of Huanggang, Wenzhou, a city in east China’s Zhejiang Province, more than 800 kilometers from Wuhan, has announced similar measures. It seems likely that many other cities will follow suit.

Local conditions vary and, for now, not all cities need adopt the Huanggang model. Here in Shanghai, where 177 infection cases had been confirmed as of yesterday, many neighborhoods have restricted contact with visitors from other communities. Where management or infrastructure was found to be lacking, local cadres and volunteers have gone out of their way to ensure the security of their compounds, and safety of their neighbors.

The sad facts remain, however, that everyone stands to lose through the irresponsible behavior of some of their fellow citizens.

Police across the country have detained several people in the past few days who have refused to wear masks in public spaces. People have still been found gathering for games of mahjong in defiance of warnings.

In an emergency, as is now the case with the coronavirus, any act against duly publicized government orders or decisions is punishable by warnings, fines, or detention. In some cases, reckless behavior can amount to a crime.

Xinhua news agency reported yesterday that police in northwest China’s Qinghai Province were investigating the case of a man suspected of harming public security with dangerous means. He allegedly attempted to conceal his cough and fever, but more crucially, his contact with Wuhan.  The man, who reportedly worked in Wuhan for a long time, had recently returned to his home village in Xining, the provincial capital, with his son. Both have since been confirmed as infected.

While we wish a speedy recovery for all those infected with the virus, those who act irresponsibly, endangering public health, can look forward to rather more than 14-day confinement.