When Elizabeth Law visited Wuhan in the second week of January 2020, life on the streets seemed normal. She even felt self-conscious wearing a mask as she did not see anyone else donning one in the city. The Straits Times’ China correspondent shared her first-hand experience visiting China’s Covid-19 outbreak epicentre before and after the lockdown in an askST@NLB podcast with the paper’s foreign editor, Jeremy Au Yong.
Missed our first podcast? Check it out here: https://www.straitstimes.com/askst/askstnlb-podcast-revisiting-wuhan-vignettes-from-chinas-covid-19-outbreak-epicentre
Interested to read more about the coronavirus? Check out some of our eBooks and learning packages:
E-books
1. 7 KEYS TO STAYING SANE DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS (2020)
By Meg Meekfer
E-book available at: https://nlb.overdrive.com/media/5416872
This book prescribes practical steps that every family can take to handle the stress of close quarters, separation from friends, and unprecedented financial strain due to Covid-19.
2. CORONAVIRUS: A GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING THE VIRUS AND WHAT IS KNOWN SO FAR (2020)
By The Centers for Disease Control’s Website
E-book available at: https://nlb.overdrive.com/media/5358223
Learn in-depth history of the virus since its inception, and explanation of what coronavirus is and how it works. This guide also contains tips for people who must travel during the outbreak.
3. THE CORONAVIRUS PREPAREDNESS HANDBOOK (2020)
By Tess Pennington
E-book available at: https://nlb.overdrive.com/media/5373663
This handbook provides a description of the virus and tips on how to prevent yourself from getting the virus and the supplies you should have in your house, in case of a lockdown.
4. THE CORONAVIRUS MANUAL FOR PARENTS (2020)
By Thomas Phelan
E-book available at: https://nlb.overdrive.com/media/5434872
How to manage stress? This manual provides suggestions and ideas on how to deal with your kids and how your kids (and yourself) should handle information about coronavirus.
5. INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND SINGAPORE: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE (2016)
By Li Yang Hsu and Vincent Pang
E-book available at: https://nlb.overdrive.com/media/3016F58E-7422-4CAC-A352-B15A552F45CA
Learn how Singapore has battled and overcome the evolving threats of infectious diseases over time through a collection of stories and records.
6. Viruses – Very Short Introduction (2020)
By Dorothy H. Crawford
E-book available at: https://nlb.overdrive.com/media/cc313a77-08be-41cd-b9ab-6d3c41a79d6a
A professor of medical microbiology at the University of Edinburgh explains everything you need to know about viruses – from their discovery and evolution to the impact of globalisation and adaptability – in an easy-to-read format.
7. PANDEMIC – TRACKING CONTAGIONS, FROM CHOLERA TO EBOLA AND BEYOND (2016)
By Sonia Shah
E-book available at: https://nlb.overdrive.com/media/58B81581-D6E7-447F-8888-6120351E47A9
Renowned American investigative journalist Sonia Shah interweaves history with news reporting and personal narratives to explore the origins of viral epidemics.
8. THE VACCINE RACE – SCIENCE, POLITICS, AND THE HUMAN COSTS OF DEFEATING DISEASE (2017)
By Meredith Wadman
E-book available at: https://nlb.overdrive.com/media/2716062
Science magazine reporter Meredith Wadman demystifies the science breakthroughs and political roadblocks leading to the creation of vaccines to solving various health epidemics of the past and present.
Learning Packages
1. VIRUSES – AN OVERVIEW
Learning package available at: https://mobileapp.nlb.gov.sg/spotlight/pandemics/viruses-an-overview
This package gives an overview of what viruses are and how they affect the body, and how viral infections can be controlled and treated.
2. COVID-19 – AN OVERVIEW
Learning package available at: https://mobileapp.nlb.gov.sg/spotlight/pandemics/covid-19-an-overview
This package gives an overview of what COVID-19 is and its widespread impact across the world.
3. COVID-19 – THE SINGAPORE SITUATION
Learning package available at: https://mobileapp.nlb.gov.sg/spotlight/pandemics/covid-19-singapore-situation
This package looks at Singapore’s COVID-19 situation and its containment measures.
4. COVID-19 – R&D AND MEDICAL RESEARCH
Learning package available at: https://mobileapp.nlb.gov.sg/spotlight/pandemics/covid-19-r&d-and-medical-research
This package looks at R&D and medical research work that is taking place worldwide to combat COVID-19.
5. VIRUSES – THE SPANISH FLU
Learning package available at: https://mobileapp.nlb.gov.sg/spotlight/pandemics/viruses-the-spanish-flu
This package explores the outbreak of the Spanish Flu in 1918, a major pandemic that once impacted Singapore as well.
6. MAJOR PANDEMICS FROM THE 20TH CENTURY
Learning package available at: https://mobileapp.nlb.gov.sg/spotlight/pandemics/major-pandemics-from-20th-century
This package looks at major pandemics that occurred in the 20th century such as the Spanish Flu, Asian Flu, Hong Kong Flu, and SARS.
7. VACCINATIONS
Learning package available at: https://mobileapp.nlb.gov.sg/spotlight/pandemics/vaccinations
This package provides a guide on what vaccines are and how they help in preventing disease.
8. PUBLIC HEALTH IN SINGAPORE
Learning package available at: https://mobileapp.nlb.gov.sg/spotlight/pandemics/public-health-in-singapore
This package explores what public health encompasses and the public health challenges that Singapore faces.
