After publishing our timeline report on Covid-19 in Chinese a month ago, we have received numerous requests for an English version. I am now glad to announce that, thanks to our team’s tireless work, we are launching the English version of our timeline report. This report covers the first critical 60 days of the outbreak, documenting day by day unfolding of the epidemic and responses made by various concerned entities in China and the rest of the world. We sincerely hope it provides a panoramic index and guide for analyzing the development of the epidemic.
Without backtracking the information, we would not have discovered that the Chinese government updated the U.S. about the epidemic daily since January 3rd. Only 3 days after January 3rd did the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issue a Level 3 coronavirus alert that advised U.S. citizens avoid traveling to Wuhan. At the meantime, the Chinese government did not disclose any information about the epidemic to the local communities in Wuhan.
Without backtracking the information, we would not have known that CDC began implementing public health entry screening on travelers from Wuhan on January 17th. In the next day, more than 40,000 families dined together in Wuhan’s Baibuting community, which is confirmed later as one of the hardest hit areas in Wuhan. As January 18th (Lunar December 24th) is traditionally the Little New Year in southern China, it was at the height of people returning home, shopping, dining, and gathering, etc. However, no warning message was sent by the People’s Daily or local Wuhan media. The government thereby lost their last chance to control the epidemic.
Without backtracking the information, we would not have found that Wuhan Pneumonia Prevention and Control Headquarters published a propagandistic, mechanical and irresponsible announcement on the day Wuhan shut down. On January 23rd, the Headquarters published the No.2 Announcement, claiming that Wuhan people have “the cordial care coming from General Secretary Xi Jinping, the careful arrangements of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Government, as well as the support of people across the nation. At present, Wuhan has sufficient reserves of commodities, food, and medical protective equipments and will supply them smoothly in the future. Please do not panic, Wuhan citizens.” How ridiculous does it sound today! Why would the No.4 Announcement published on the next day urge everyone to donate money and supplies, if there were “care from Xi Jinping, adequate reserves, and smooth supply”?
The epidemic is still spreading with no signs that it would cease. Billions of people in China are suffering from the hardship. The death of Li Wenliang and many others are both the consequences of the coronavirus and the aftermaths of authoritarianism. We shall continue on seeking the truth, examining ourselves and those in power, speaking up and taking action, along with voicing concerns about the accountability of the government. If China remain unchanged after the disastrous epidemic, we would be a hopeless nation.
I want to thank my team for their work for this project. Dr. Derek Wang and Dr, Lainchao Han have provided wonderful leadership and Yang Zili, Wu Pinghui, Daniel Gong, Amy Ma, Wang Kaiming, Dong Guo, Anna Yunpeng Chen, Li Yun, Valerie Lau, and Tessa Eftimiades, have all made remarkable contribution to the product. Their effort is deeply appreciated. In addition, our team has referred to the thematic timeline and memorabilia produced by media, institutions and netizens. Thank you all and please forgive me for not listing your names as references.
Here, on behalf of CPIC, I present to you Novel Coronavirus epidemic timeline report: https://wuhanmemo.com/?page_id=230929
Sincerely,
YANG Jianli
Founder and President of Citizen Power Initiatives for China