When writing a proposal, we are often asked how your study will aid decision making. What I realized in the past was producing knowledge, publishing scientific papers, presenting during conferences …… I’ve never thought scientific evidence based decision-making can save millions of life.
This was what happened prior to Wuhan lockdown on January 23 due to COVID-19 outbreak. People were so panicked that a flu-similar pnemonia caused many people sick. The hospitals became overloaded. No one has had experience dealing with such a novel type of coronavirus. Zhong Nanshan, the top respiratory disease expert of China, confirmed to public this disease is not flu and it can be transmitted via human-to-human. Li Lanjuan, a top infectious disease expert, analyzed the confirmed cases in other provinces spread from Wuhan. She concluded Wuhan is the epicentre and it must be locked down, while other cities must be shut down, too. This was a difficult decision back then, because economic activities shut-down during spring festival means billions RMB loss and tons of unemployment population. However, thanks to the decision, Chinese governments acted quickly and decisively. China has contained the virus spread within a short time.
This is a fantastic example about how scientific evidence based decision can aid public policy and save life. Two months later, other countries followed China’s steps and began their shut-downs. There is no doubt that shut down is a huge blow to economy. But economy can be rebuilt, life can’t.