China and the coronavirus

Word got back to us today that people are dying in the streets in China.  Chalk it up to the Chinese New Year or the fear of an outbreak, the streets were a bit empty, and of the few that were out and about, none were down and out. 

Some news sources indicate that China is not doing all it can to deal with the spread of the coronavirus--others claim China has done too little too late.  From this side of the world, we see the opposite. 

First, most citizens are part of communities (similar to housing tracks in the U.S.), at least here in Yantai.  The community is made up of many apartment buildings and have two to three gated/guarded exits.  Our community alone houses 1000+ people.  As of the 25th, flyers were posted on doors informing the community of the health risk and numbers to call in case of an emergency.  There was also a blurb about limiting exposure to crowds and leaving the community on an as-needed basis. A few of the pedestrian gates were closed forcing us to walk by the guard gate.  There was a sign-in table for those entering.  So the community has done a pretty good job informing and regulating traffic in and out of the community.

Second, many are conscious here about the risk of public exposure.  I recall two people out of the hundreds that we passed did not have face masks. 

Third, upon entering the market/mall (often the grocery markets are in the malls), we were greeted with an employee with a digital thermometer.  The entrances were limited to two and the exits were guarded.  Even McDonald's street-side entrance/exit was closed though the mall-side entrance/exit remained open.  All employees that I saw wore face masks. 

Simi Valley had a fire in the late 90's that seemingly surrounded the valley.  My mom received a call from her mom in another state pleading for her to get the family out.  Their interpretation of the news was that Simi was surrounded on all sides by the fire and the exits out were hazardous at best.  In reality, breathing the smoke and ash posed more of a hazard than the threat of fire.  Sometimes things look worse from the outside looking in.  China has done what I would expect of a country faced with such a crisis; and from what I "hear," Wuhan is in lock-down mode to the point where streets are torn up to prevent people from leaving--whether that's true or not, that's what we are hearing!