The Wuhan story
Tuesday 12 May 2020 – 1pm The population of Wuhan (9.78 million) is very similar to that of London (9.3 million). It is China's sixth biggest city in terms of population. If you take the BBC number of its population (11 million) Wuhan is substantially larger than London. Yet they are about to embark on a 'Ten Day Battle' – to keep on top of Coronavirus – and test every single one of their citizens. This is an enormously ambitious, costly, imaginative and determined plan. Somehow I just cannot see this ever happening here. As I have mentioned before, we have some friends who live in a suburb of Wuhan and I am in regular contact with them. From time to time she gives us a quick run-down on what is happening and what has changed. The most signnificant thing is the mood. My contact is feeling understandably up beat. Her daughter has resumed school and is in the final year (the equivalent of A levels) and will be taking those key exams very soon. Clearly she will graduate ...