Protecting lives in disasters seen as precedence amid epidemic interval

Protecting the lives of individuals in disasters reminiscent of earthquakes, fires and floods needs to be the precedence amid a interval of COVID-19 epidemic prevention and management, the well being fee in Chengdu, Sichuan province, stated on Monday after a robust tremor hit a county within the province and was felt all the way in which to the provincial capital.

The fee urged residents to take good protecting measures whereas evacuating, if circumstances allow, and to keep away from shut contact with others whereas taking refuge.

A 6.8-magnitude quake jolted Luding county at 12:52 pm on Monday, the China Earthquake Networks Center reported. The temblor was felt in Chengdu, 226 kilometers from its epicenter. The epicenter was at 29 levels 59 minutes north latitude and 102 levels 8 minutes east longitude at a depth of 16 kilometers, within the mountains southwest of Chengdu.

“We felt strong shocks when the earthquake came and immediately ran into the bathroom — the most solid place indoors,” stated 41-year-old Chengdu resident Liu Shucen. “When the shocks ended, we went downstairs to an open place, of course wearing masks.”

“Staff members from the community and residential property gave several safety tips in WeChat groups, bringing us a sense of security,” he stated. “The statement from the commission gave us a clear explanation about epidemic prevention and disaster protection.”

“My neighbors didn’t appear very hurried or confused, and most of them had good protection when they ran outside,” he added.

Chengdu reported 59 native COVID-19 instances and 31 asymptomatic carriers who didn’t present any signs on Monday, the fee stated on Tuesday. It was the most important variety of new confirmed infections on the Chinese mainland.

Based on the scientific evaluation of the epidemic prevention and management scenario, Xinjin district and the town of Qionglai will steadily resume regular actions, stated a press release launched on Sunday by Chengdu’s epidemic management and prevention headquarters. Both areas are administrated by Chengdu.

All the opposite areas within the metropolis stay underneath static administration, the place residents are required to remain at residence and pointless enterprise exercise is suspended. Under static administration, households underneath lockdown have been permitted to ship one member with a destructive nucleic acid take a look at outcome obtained inside 24 hours to exit for 2 hours a day to purchase provides.

Experts suggested the general public on how one can keep away from hazard when a robust earthquake hits in the course of the epidemic.

“Everyone should prepare an earthquake emergency kit containing drinking water, compressed biscuits, thermal blankets, flashlights, whistles, folding knives, toilet paper and medical kits,” stated Wang Tun, an professional on earthquake early warning and multi-disaster warning info expertise at Sichuan University. “Masks and alcohol disinfectant are also necessary, but be careful to stay away from fire.”

When an earthquake strikes, people who find themselves underneath residence quarantine ought to choose the space and energy of the quake and attempt to shield themselves, he stated.

“If there is a slight earthquake, try to protect yourself from falling objects. And if encountering a strong one, please take shelter in a safe indoor area together with the emergency kit,” he stated.

If individuals can attain the outside, they need to put on masks and run to open areas as quickly as attainable, he stated, including that it’s “necessary to maintain a safe distance from crowds.”

Contact the writers at zhouhuiying@chinadaily.com.cn