COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: Pressing realities and city management

Abstract

The initial outbreak of Covid-19 in Wuhan was the one most serious amongst all cities worldwide. While the covid19 pandemic is still extremely serious almost a year after the initial outbreak in China, we lack consensus on ideal non-therapeutic approaches to deal with the problem until vaccination becomes universally available. This article reviews city management approaches adopted in Wuhan at the time of the outbreak. From 14 May to 1 June 2020, covid19 test institutions operated 24-hours each day, and 10,109 million people in Wuhan completed a covid-19 test within 19 days. The government employed 6000 taxis within a day for transportation of materials. The health code system that provides individual covid-19 records in Alipay and WeChat are linked with personal data such as bank accounts and debt records. Currently, none of these city management approaches have happened – or perhaps could have happened - elsewhere in the world. There is concern that a resurgence of the disease will happen after Wuhan lifts its strictest control measures. It is important to note that these controversial measures put covid19 under control in Wuhan in a very short time and with appropriate leadership and political will might be adapted to other cities across the globe.