The Great Chill: China’s New Virus on the Eve of a Global Showdown
President Xi’s “Big Guffaw” at the Politburo
Satellites, quite literally, beamed a statement from President Xi Jinping to his inner circle: the spread of the new coronavirus is “accelerating” and the country faces a “grave situation.” 1,975 people have been infected and 56 have sadly passed, per nation‑wide stats. The President called for unwavering confidence, a united party effort, and precise policies that could help China “win the battle.”
China’s Fast‑Track Response to the Beast
- Cut off Wuhan‑to‑Hong Kong flights & high‑speed train links.
- Extended Lunar New Year school closures till Feb 17.
- Imposed new transport restrictions across 30 regions.
- Hubei officials urged widespread mask and protective suit use.
- “Steady push” in disease control, says Deputy Civil Affairs Chief Hu Yinghai.
News from the World Jungle
While Wuhan is on lockdown, the news was flying out like spam mail:
- Australia confirmed its first four cases.
- Malaysia matched that with four confirmed.
- France reported Europe’s first cases the previous day.
- Singapore added four more to the tally.
- United States arranged a charter flight on Sunday to ferry citizens and diplomats back from Wuhan.
- HK declared emergency, scrapped celebrations, and shuttered all links to mainland China.
When the Virus Goes International
Beyond Chinese borders, the virus has been spotted in:
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Japan
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Nepal
- United States
Quick Stats (as of 8pm local time)
Deaths in China: 42 (up from 56 on Saturday’s announcement)
Infections: 1,372 confirmed across the nation, traced back to a seafood market in Wuhan selling wildlife illegally.
Hubei (Wuhan) situation: Serious public health crunch, the local panic is very real.
Bottom Line
Xi’s rally‑the‑troops speech is more upbeat than a stadium chant, but the reality on the ground is stark. If the country can keep the Party’s unified leadership tight, work hand‑in‑hand, rely on science, and adjust policy with surgical precision, the odds may tilt in China’s favor. For now, the world watches, a little breathless, as the pandemic’s first chapter takes shape.
Wuhan’s COVID Panic Hits the Bus Network
Picture this: On January 25th, 2020, a flood of doctors and nurses climbs into a shuttle with a patient at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital. The air is thick with worry, because the new coronavirus is still a big mystery—how dangerous is it, how fast does it jump from person to person?
At least we all know one thing it can do: it can turn a people’s lungs into a stormy, sometimes deadly, pneumonia. That’s why the city and the nation are pulling out all stops.
Ride‑Hailing Shut‑Down
Didi Chuxing, the giant behind everyday rides, dropped the “inter‑city” service that links to Beijing this Sunday. And the capital shut the inter‑province shuttle buses. Beijing isn’t the only one stepping on brakes.
National Travel Halt
China’s state broadcaster, CCTV, relayed a memo from the tourism industry association: from Monday, all group tours—for both domestic and international travels—are gone. That’s a huge hit to the travel industry and a big comfort for those who hate crowded flights.
Wuhan Goes on Lockdown
Wuhan went into a city‑wide lockdown on Thursday, and by Sunday the city forbade non‑essential cars from its downtown. Main roads out of town were choked with checkpoints, and flights were scrubbed from the schedule.
Hubei Province Under Scrutiny
The authorities rolled out “transport restrictions” on almost every slice of Hubei province, a population healthy for 59 million. On Saturday, the capital tightened its grip further by suspending buses that cross the city border, shutting tourist spots, and canceling any big New Year events.
What’s Next?
- All major cities are on a stay‑inside, stay‑home run.
- Public transit is facing a slow-motion shutdown.
- Everyone—and we mean everyone—is holding it in their lungs waiting for the pandemic to show its hand.
In short: the city’s lockdown and national travel bans have set a precedent, and businesses, tourists, and commuters across China are all keeping their eyeglasses— or rather, their masks—on swiveling tops. The real courage of the public is a lesson in patience.
Protective suits
Australia’s New COVID Chapter Begins: Four Cases, a Sad China News, and Starbucks Takes a Break
Australia’s premier health official warned that the country will see more cases soon, citing the fact that millions of Chinese tourists still flock to its sunny shores. In case you missed it: the nation’s first four infections landed in two different cities this past Saturday.
Why It Matters
- China Global Television Network (CGTN) reports that Liang Wudong, a 62‑year‑old doctor from Wuhan who had been treating patients, has unfortunately died from the virus. A stark reminder that the pandemic still sees casualties everywhere.
- On top of that, the US coffee chain Starbucks decided to close all of its Hubei outlets for the Lunar New Year holiday. Not exactly the “latte” that many were hoping for.
- In the same region, McDonald’s followed suit, shutting down in five Hubei cities.
Transportation Turbulence
Beijing’s central railway station wore its winter protective hats as workers in white suits scanned passengers’ temperatures—a version of the “ice-capped “togetherness” you never quite wanted to see. Meanwhile, in the eastern Yangtze River Delta, certain train services were put on hold, according to the local operator.
What You Can Expect
Expect highlighted board‑plates, an over‑the‑top emphasis on hand‑washing, and a sidebar full of humorous memes about “wardrobe choices” for infection control.
While Australia’s official will be “in no rush” to despair, it is clear that the pandemic remains an ongoing reality that will keep travelers and businesses on their toes.
‘Global health threat’
China’s Travel Frenzy Raises Concerns About Virus Spread
With a huge wave of Chinese citizens heading out for the holiday, folks are worried that the virus could hitch a ride and spread faster. Many travelers have called off their plans, but the rush still raises flags.
Airports Crunch the Numbers
Airports worldwide have beefed up screening for passengers coming from China. But some health experts shrug, saying the checks might not catch all the cases.
In Paris, a hospital doctor pointed out that two out of three Chinese nationals who tested positive had flown in looking fine.
WHO’s Tipping Point
Earlier this week, the World Health Organization didn’t jump the gun to declare a global emergency. Meanwhile, researchers at Imperial College London warned that the outbreak is “a clear and ongoing global health threat” and that it’s unclear whether China can contain it.
Transparency vs. Past Mistakes
China insists they’re being open, but critics draw parallels to the 2002/2003 SARS saga. Wuhan officials earned a reputation for ghost‑writing the early crisis, sparking fresh accusations.
Only that one journalist from a Hubei party‑run paper dared call for a leadership shake‑up in Wuhan on Weibo – the post was quickly scrubbed.
Rapid Response in Hubei
- The province is racing to build a 1,000‑bed hospital in just six days.
- Saturday’s report: 658 patients are in treatment, with 57 critically ill.
Closing Down Theme Parks and Temples
Shanghai Disneyland shut its gates from Saturday. Beijing’s Lama Temple and several other temples also closed to prevent crowds.
Note: This story was originally published by The Straits Times. You need permission to reproduce it.
