We propose the following three perspectives for analysis to deal with the new coronavirus in Wuhan:
3.1. Early Warning and Identification of Risk
From the perspective of early warning and identification of risk, the government should strengthen daily management, which can involve the assessment of the potential risks of various possibilities, and then make appropriate choices regarding early warning and identification, terminating the possibility of problems arising or worsening.
At present, the novel coronavirus pneumonia (2019–nCoV) is suspected to have originated from snakes, bats, or other wild animals. Banning the trade of wild animals is a common-sense measure that has been spreading in China and around the world for many years. In addition, from a legal point of view, legislation should be formulated as soon as possible to completely eradicate the wildlife trade, especially the consumption of wild animals. This will also require appropriate enforcement.
3.2. Risk Monitoring and Analysis
The overall data trends should be analysed through comparison and analysis of the existing small amount of data on the actual disease in a region from the perspective of risk monitoring and analysis, combined with artificial intelligence, data science, and new media. Analysis of the possible risks is also an important means to prevent and control the epidemic and conduct risk monitoring.
Even if a small amount of data is automatically used for decision-making and scientific research when an epidemic occurs, the further spread of the contagion could be prevented. In addition to the early analysis of small amounts of epidemic data, we should focus on analysis of public opinion, while using natural language processing and other technologies to monitor public opinion early, and use text information, which might also reduce data losses.
3.3. Risk Management and Treatment
From the perspective of risk management and treatment, the public, patients and suspected patients, medical personnel, entry-exit personnel, government management departments, scientific research institutions, and the international community must invest special efforts in risk management and treatment.
3.3.1. The Public
1. Psychological counselling
Many citizens are experiencing panic regarding the disease. We recommend knowledge popularisation and utilising the psychological comfort of doctors in authority. For example, academician Zhong Nanshan’s speech to many Chinese people played an important role in fostering an optimistic psychological outlook.
2. Publicising cure cases
By publicising the cured cases, we can further enhance the confidence of people in fighting the disease. There are daily reports on the news about patients who have been successfully treated, but these patients do not show up in videos or interviews.
3. Professional and new media
The authorities should develop special websites and apps, promoting them in combination with new media. Through special websites, apps, and other outlets, health officials could send health warnings, provide symptom checklists, and make common-sense suggestions. In particular, new media outlets, such as Douyin (TikTok), Kuaishou, and other apps, can quickly disseminate information to a large number of users in China.
4. Establishment of a district emergency assessor system
The authorities should consider one area or community as a unit, and then determine each household’s personal and consumer needs, reporting this information to the government to ensure the accuracy of information regarding basic drugs, masks, medical supplies, food, water, clothing, accommodation, and transportation.
5. Establishment of a district health officer system
The authorities should mobilise the public to actively cooperate, publicise, and monitor the epidemic, while considering one area or community as a unit, and determine each household’s personal and consumer needs, and conducting timely reporting on the epidemic. In the case of an epidemic or special situation, the government should call on health personnel and hospitals to ensure public safety through a double-track system and double management.
3.3.2. Patients or Suspected Patients
1. Standby hospitals
Standby hospitals should be built to ensure the comprehensive reception and isolation of patients or suspected patients. At present, in Wuhan, the exposed gaps include the lack of hospital beds and space, so hospitals are unable to accommodate all of the patients or suspected patients.
2. Use big data technology to fully track the journey and contacts
The managing department should pay attention to appeasement and tracking for patients or suspected patients in Wuhan. For patients or suspected patients who have left Wuhan, the managing department should message, telephone, and conduct door-to-door tracking using traditional methods such as train tickets, air tickets, and car whereabouts, combined with mobile phone positioning technology and face-recognition technology.
3.3.3. Medical Institutions and Personnel
The following two measures could improve risk-resistance capability and avoid delays in transferring medical materials and volunteers from all over the country:
(1) Use a standby hospital and regularly prepare and update standby medical materials. At this stage, many places lack various medical materials. During the Spring Festival, most people in the country rest and relax, so, even though some medical material enterprises are maintaining full production, they cannot keep up with consumption.
(2) Improve the system of medical personnel protection and reserve teams, not only to protect their rights and interests, but also to build a reserve team system for medical staff to facilitate the transfer of doctors and assistants between areas. At present, it takes time to transfer doctors from elsewhere, and they must enter the epidemic area by standard means of transportation, thus wasting valuable time.
3.3.4. Entry-Exit Personnel
The authorities should strictly restrict entry and exit personnel. Early warning should be given to entry-exit personnel, and they should be placed in a standby hospital for monitoring. The entry and exit of personnel should be suspended if necessary.
3.3.5. Government Administration
- (1)
Special funds set up every year for the emergency handling of epidemics
The emergence of such epidemics, coupled with a lack of corresponding financial support, delays the handling of the epidemic.
- (2)
Regular training on disease prevention and control
The managing department should be prepared psychologically, and it should construct a special website and app for advertising and broadcasting to the general public.
- (3)
Establishment of a monitoring and reporting system
At present, there is no unified and perfect standard to determine when, where, and in what situations to report news of epidemics. It is necessary to conduct research to establish an effective monitoring and reporting system to facilitate decision-making.
- (4)
Establishment of a district health officer and emergency assessor system
We can effectively find the underlying data and produce big data after reporting at all levels through the system of health officers and assessors, which will be helpful for the unified government management.
3.3.6. Scientific Research Institutions
Scientific research institutions should increase research on epidemics and issue early warnings and predictions of epidemics by analysing various data. At the same time, although the development of vaccines is extremely complex, involving various safety and health issues, it is still necessary to strengthen the development of new vaccines.
3.3.7. International Community
The authorities should actively communicate with the international community, seek joint prevention and control technology, as well as share medical information and achievements. It is necessary to strengthen collaboration with the international community to further reduce the risk of disease, improve the cure rate, and prevent further spread of disease.