ABSTRACT
This book comprehensively analyzes COVID-19 and its impact as well as the response from the perspectives of humanities and social sciences. This book covers topics ranging from geopolitical relations to regional integration, public health governance and even the evolution of professional practices in the time of COVID-19. It constitutes a precious and timely interdisciplinary reference for anyone aspiring not only to grasp the origins and dynamics of the present challenge, but also to identify future opportunities for further growth and holistic progress for humanity. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 Pandemic sweeping the globe has cost more than lives and livelihoods. It has rendered a heavy blow to the already shaking America's global leadership established after World War II. Instead of coordinating with its allies and international organizations to fight the common enemy, the Trump administration focused the bulk of its efforts on blaming China and the World Health Organization (WHO). Overwhelmed by the virus and doing a poor job of protecting its citizens, the US set a bad example for the world and offered no leadership to the rest of the world. The world has come to the post-American order. This Chapter argues that while US has failed to control the COVID-19 and created a vacuum on global leadership China was not yet ready to assume comprehensive leadership role by providing necessary public goods. China's good will was greatly undermined by politicians and public opinions in the West. Nevertheless China is a fast learner and it will play an increasingly important role in Global leadership. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021.
ABSTRACT
On January 23, 2020 China responded to the first wave of COVID-19 by locking down the city of Wuhan, a city of more than 10 million residents. The National Health Commission of China (CNHC 23 January 2020) reported 571 confirmed cases of COVID 19 patients, 19 seriously ill and 17 deaths in Wuhan on January 22. The number of confirmed cases exploded between January 20 and February 6 and reached 32, 583 with its peak on February 1. Centralized quarantine and treatment were found effective in leveling the curve of daily confirmed cases, although universal testing was not begun until February 17. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021.
ABSTRACT
Wuhan was completely locked down in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its residents were isolated, depressed. They were badly in need of information, advice, and psychological support. However, social and psychological services could only be provided by distance. The Social Workers Across Borders trained and supervised more than 120 volunteers to offer e-counselling services through WeChat platforms. The digital environment was very different from real life or even hotline settings. Wechat platforms, similar to that of WhatsApp, enabled multi-players, multi-media, and multidirectional exchanges for as many as 500 participants. They could raise questions, share information and offer opinions. Volunteers, composed of medical students, psychological counsellors, social workers, community workers, and lay community volunteers, were understandably not ready for the challenge. The teams found that traditional crisis intervention skills training, designed for face-to-face emotional support, was no longer sufficient to ensure satisfactory results in the digital environments. The current study, based on the analysis of the supervision records of the volunteers, discussed the hindering factors in providing Social Psychological e-services and proposed their respective solutions. A new mode of Social Psychological Emergency Response has emerged and our traditional training for respective responders needs to be revolutionized © The Author(s) 2022