The News
At first, everyone thought it was just a rumour and paid no attention. It wasn't until over a hundred confirmed cases were reported, and Wuhan announced a lockdown, that people began to realise the gravity of the situation. Suddenly, Wuhan became the centre of attention for the entire world.
Changjiang Daily on 22nd Jan 2020
Roughly translated to the government's commitment to managing the epidemic, emphasizing the need for strict control and asserting that the situation was under control, and a letter to Wuhan residents aimed to reassure the public about safety.
2020年1月22日，武汉封城的前一天。长江日报作为武汉市最具权威的媒体，将头版头条给了这次不明原因肺炎。
尽管如此，官方对于此仍是对公众有所隐藏，直到第二天宣布紧急封城，所有人才真正意识到事情有多么严重。
On 22nd January 2020, the day before Wuhan was placed under lockdown, the Changjiang Daily, as the most authoritative media outlet in Wuhan, featured the outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin prominently on its front page.
Despite this, the authorities kept crucial information from the public until the following day when the emergency lockdown was announced, at which point everyone truly grasped the gravity of the situation.
BBC WORLD NEWS report this coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan
一时间，各国媒体争相报道武汉这次新型冠状病毒。
武汉一瞬间成为全世界的焦点，站在了漩涡中心。
照片1 2 3分别为英国、日本和台湾媒体的画面。
In no time, media from all over the world were rushing to report on the new coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan. Suddenly, Wuhan became the centre of attention, right in the eye of the storm.
No.1: BBC WORLD NEWS
No.2: Japan media
No.3: Taiwan media
No.2
The Japanese title translates to The New Coronavirus Causes 9 Deaths.
No.3
Translated to Taiwan has announced a suspension of flights between Wuhan and Taiwan.
26日，香港政府宣布限制湖北省居民以及14日内去过湖北省的人士入境。而在此之前已有多个国家和地区对湖北籍做出旅行限制。
On the 26th, the Hong Kong government announced restrictions on residents from Hubei Province and anyone who has been to Hubei in the past 14 days from entering. Before this, several countries and regions had already imposed travel restrictions on people from Hubei.
Translation: The Hong Kong government has announced that, except for Hong Kong residents, people from Hubei Province and those who have visited Hubei within the last 14 days are banned from entering.
Away from home
Everything hit us so suddenly that nobody saw the direction things were going. So, those Wuhaners who were away when it all went down had to start their self-help mission.
Masks in a Japanese drugstore, with a sign on it that reads "Go China! Go Wuhan!"
疫情暴发时，正在日本旅行的F，分享他的所见所闻，药妆店成堆的口罩
机场大屏显示着针对武汉人以及曾经到过武汉的人士的限制措施，被要求进行隔离。
和我一样，他也在回家的路上经历了无数阻碍，但也最终在1月31日顺利坐上返回武汉的列车。
他说：“这一路走的很艰难，堆成山的口罩占据了半个行李箱的空间，甚至手提袋里也全是口罩，甚至在机场引得日本记者的采访。航班一次次被取消，从飞武汉到飞南京再到上海，最后落地深圳。我总相信一定会有一条回家的路。回家的感觉，真好啊！
During the outbreak of the pandemic, F, who was travelling in Japan, shared their experiences. They noted the pharmacies piled high with masks, and the airport screens displaying restrictions against individuals from Wuhan or those who had recently visited, all requiring quarantine.
Like me, they faced countless obstacles on their way home but ultimately boarded a train back to Wuhan on January 31st.
They marked: "It was a tough journey. The masks took up almost half of the space in the suitcase. even the handbag was full of masks and attracted interviews from Japanese journalists at the airport. The flight back to China was cancelled again and again, to Wuhan, to Nanjing, to Shanghai, and finally landing in Shenzhen. I always believe there must be a way back home, and it feels so nice to be home!"
Screens in Kansai Airport show the restrictions against people from Wuhan.
Screens in Kansai Airport show the restrictions against people from Wuhan.
1月23日晚，在武汉正式宣布封城后，W紧急在巴厘岛的药店买了一批口罩，而此时当地人似乎还没有意识事情的严重性，还在疑惑为什么这么多中国来买口罩。
他回忆道，自己在药店碰到一对来自北京的母女，通过寒暄，对方在得知自己来自武汉后，立刻转身就离开了。
与此同时，W与同为武汉人的同事聊天，对方正在泰国旅游，也因为此无法回家。一时间，那些在外的武汉人纷纷开始自救，利用互联网大家相互抱团互帮互助，一起度过难关。
On the evening of January 23, after Wuhan officially announced the city lockdown, W urgently bought a batch of masks at a pharmacy in Bali. However, at the same time, the locals seem like they still do not realise what happened now, and are confused about why so many Chinese people came to buy masks.
They remembered "At the pharmacy, I met a mother and daughter from Beijing. After simply chatting, once they found out I was from Wuhan, they turned right around and left like I had a contagious disease or something!"
At the same time, W chatted with a colleague who was also from Wuhan. They were travelling in Thailand and also could not back home because of this.
For a time, those Wuhan people outside began to save themselves, using the Internet to help each other and overcome the difficulties together.
Screenshot of W's chat with a colleague. They asked their colleague to invite them to join a chat group of Wuhan people living outside Wuhan to seek help. At this time, their colleague was also afraid of exposing their Wuhan accent to other Chinese people when sending voice messages.
The plight of Wuhan people: discrimination and targeting
The masks that W bought in Bali urgently
After the plane landed, the staff was standing at the cabin door, checking the temperature of every passenger coming from Wuhan one by one.
1月22日武汉飞往广州，落地广州后飞机滑行到指定的区域，所有工作人员守在舱门口对所有乘客逐一测量体温。
这一现象在当时来讲是十分普遍的，几乎所有从武汉起飞的航班在落地后都会被要求检查，特殊对待。
On January 22, W flew from Wuhan to Guangzhou. After landing in Guangzhou, the plane taxied to the designated area, and all staff stood at the cabin door to measure the body temperature of all passengers one by one.
This phenomenon was very common at the time. Almost all flights departing from Wuhan were required to be checked and treated specially after landing.
1月30日，虽然武汉已经挤入封城状态，但仍有列车会经过武汉。
返回武汉的车厢内挤满了人，但大家却都不约而同地保持缄默，在出口处排队等待下车。
车厢内一片寂静，只有到站广播报着的“前方到站武汉站”不断回响。
On January 30, although Wuhan was already in lockdown, there were still trains passing through Wuhan.
The coach was full of people, but everyone just kept silent without saying anything， queuing at the exit and waiting to get off.
The coach was silent, with only the announcement of "Wuhan Station next" echoing continuously.
Disclaimer
Photos are anonymous to ensure creators' privacy due to potential political sensitivity.
All images are authorised
Photos are anonymous to ensure creators' privacy due to potential political sensitivity.
All images are authorised