Shanghai, a city of 25 million people, and a global financial center, has largely retreated behind its doors in its first lockdown. We meet an American couple who are part of a neighborhood community that is making the best of the time at home — and, along the way, getting to know one another in new ways. Meanwhile, the city is supplying residents with fresh food including fish and vegetables, as well as long-lasting provisions.

Pandemic loss has underscored the importance of working towards a better world for all. Our Host James Chau speaks with international relations scholar, Chen Dongxiao, about how we can thrive together in a connected humanity.

As humanity struggles with the current pandemic, we look to the world's leading minds for solutions. Stephen Roach, former chief economist of Morgan Stanley, looks at the damage to the global system, and the consequences for challenges such as poverty. Resilience, he says, can't be presumed. He speaks with our Host, James Chau.

Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus has been awarded the Olympic Laurel at the Tokyo Summer Games. A few weeks ago, Professor Yunus organized a lecture where our Host James Chau interviewed Thomas Bach, Head of the International Olympic Committee. They discussed the role of sports in a pandemic, and why the need for global solidarity has led to a change in the Olympic motto.

It’s World Hand Hygiene Day! Handwashing has been one of the ultimate fighters of the pandemic. Hand hygiene expert, Dr. Myriam Sibidé, shares how the simple ingredients of soap and water can change lives.

A few days ago, Barkha Dutt's father passed away— amid many others in India’s latest outbreak. The Indian broadcaster and Washington Post columnist was a guest on The China Current last year, when she described the evolving pandemic. To honor Barkha's father, we look back at her conversation with our Host James Chau. This is our tribute to the people of India at this time of immense uncertainty.

For over a year, we’ve responded to the pandemic by bringing you voices, stories and interviews. Now, we redouble our commitment with From The Well — a new series where James Chau converses with global experts in health and explores the social and economic dimensions. Join us as we begin this new journey.

It’s been over a year since the world first went on lockdown. Since then, it’s become clear that while the pandemic continues to impact everyone, it doesn’t impact all people the same. Over the last year, our Host James Chau has had conversations with the global experts that have shaped our understanding of this unprecedented problem. The China Current takes a moment to reflect on a year of pandemic stories.

This year's Valentine's Day was unlike no other — a burst of joy in a world in darkness. And that's why we need to hold onto each other, even at a time when this pandemic separates us. In this tribute video, we return to the epicenter of the Chinese outbreak where loss and trauma has triggered a wave of love and new beginnings. Our host James Chau explores the human spirit and the resilience that is universal.

It’s been one year since the world’s first lockdown, when 60 million people in the Chinese epicenter and nearby areas in Hubei province retreated to their homes. From January 23 to April 8, 2020, many of them did not step outside their doors. Today, one year later, we look back on our tribute story to the frontline workers who continued to serve their fellow human beings.

International travel came to an abrupt halt when the pandemic began. Now that locally transmitted cases have decreased in many countries, air travel is coming back, but with more restrictions than before. This will soon be tested, as Chinese New Year—the largest annual human migration—is right around the corner. Our Host James Chau explains.

Parenting under the strain of a global pandemic has changed and been adapted for so many. Once lockdown began, the concept of ‘home’ transformed from a reprieve from schooling or work, to the setting for all facets of life. And while working from home, parents also had to assist their children with online learning—caring for their young ones around the clock. Our Host James Chau explores the challenges and after-effects of the lockdown on parents and children all over the world, as many nations resume some sense of normality.

The pandemic has disrupted many significant events across the globe. In these settings, the China International Import Expo took place a few months ago in Shanghai, pulling off the impossible—a safe, global event during a pandemic. The expo serves as an important event to support trade and economic growth—creating a space for global businesses to showcase products, encouraging foreign investors to see the potential of the Chinese market. Our Host James Chau takes a look into the importance of the event and how it may shape other global events and business during the ongoing pandemic.

This is the year when everything changed. When gains on poverty reversed. When progress against hunger stopped. When so many issues had to once again take a back seat. In one of our final episodes of the year, our Host James Chau reflects on the challenges of the times— and hope for the future.

From local soccer matches to the Olympic Games, the pandemic has reshaped sports as we know them. Tokyo 2020 is scheduled to go ahead with live spectators next summer, while Beijing is set to host the 2022 Winter Olympics as planned. This means East Asia could see millions of visitors within a short period. Both host cities are working towards sustainability and safety for athletes, visitors, and locals alike. In this episode, our Host James Chau looks at how the international sport community is thinking through today’s challenges.

For years, an MTV show has helped leas the fight against AIDS in Africa. Now, in the midst of the global pandemic, it is repurposing this experience and knowledge against COVID-19. Georgia Arnold, Executive Director of MTV Staying Alive, the foundation behind the show, talks to our Host James Chau—and reveals how a new series was written, filmed and produced almost overnight in order to bring science to millions of people.

Golden Week, one of the biggest holidays in China, saw over 600 million people travel this year, a sign that China has achieved some sense of a "new normal". Tourist landmarks, hotels, and restaurants were bustling with travelers, bringing China a boon of US$70 billion in consumer spending in just a few days. Although 2020 has been challenging, Golden Week shows the world that life can get better. Our Host James Chau shares how recovery is within reach.

Professor Lawrence Lau is an economist known for his long academic career at Stanford University, and as the former vice-chancellor of The Chinese University of Hong Kong. His new book about the pandemic is co-authored with Yanyan Xiong, and explores the experiences of one country’s response to a new virus. Our Host James Chau spoke to Prof. Lau in the early weeks of the outbreak—and now again, as the pandemic continues to ravage the world.

One of the primary ways to prevent and track the spread of the virus is through testing. However, access to testing around the globe takes unique shapes, and some countries are deploying immense resources to the practice. Recently, Qingdao, China, a port city of 11 million, set up 4,000 testing points and mass-tested the entire city in just 5 days. Our Host James Chau dives into the importance of testing and how China has used testing as a main part of its strategy against the virus.

New York City became the epicenter of the global outbreak earlier this year. When Tony Park, a Korean American restaurateur, sought to create a safe environment for returning customers and staff, he saw a way to provide another service: opening a showroom for protective gear for America’s most populous city. Our Host James Chau meets with Park virtually to discuss his pivot, and the challenges of surviving an economic downturn as a small business owner in NYC.

At one point during the pandemic, 1.5 billion students were out of school. Now, some of them, depending on where they live, are returning to class for the new academic year. In China, from kindergarten to college, students are learning safely and healthily—and have been since the spring when lockdowns ended. Our Host James Chau looks at how classrooms and lecture halls have changed in this new era.

People living with HIV have faced unique and life-threatening challenges during the pandemic, with lockdown and social distancing disrupting basic health services, medicine, supplies, and fundraising. Our Host James Chau speaks with Andrew Chidgey, Chief Executive of AIDS Concern, a non-profit in Hong Kong, about how people living with HIV can safely negotiate the unfamiliar future, while also protecting themselves at a time of increased stigma and discrimination.

India, a country of 1.3 billion people and the world's largest producer of generic medicines, will be critical if a vaccine is developed. But its number of infected cases is rising fast. Broadcaster and writer Barkha Dutt has been traveling through the country, capturing the many human stories behind the numbers. Our Host James Chau speaks to the Delhi-based media personality to understand the social dimensions of India's story.

London’s famed Serpentine Gallery has reopened since temporarily closing in mid-March, displaying an exhibition of works by Cao Fei, a multimedia artist and filmmaker from China. Her photographs and videos explore how the world around us, and how we perceive ourselves, is continuously changing. Born in Guangzhou and now based in Beijing, this is Cao Fei's first major solo exhibition in the UK and comes at a time when all of us are reassessing our place in a rapidly changing world.

For two decades, Myriam Sidibe has been a champion of handwashing to combat some of history's most persistent diseases, and has authored a new book, 'Brands on a Mission' that updates this for a world facing an unfamiliar future. In the current pandemic, the everyday essentials of soap and water are some of the most effective interventions to promote good health and to save lives. Our Host James Chau interviews Dr. Sidibe, to discuss critical lessons for leaders at every level.

Culture impacts how we live as a society, and how we have approached the pandemic. In many Asian cultures, it’s common to wear a face mask when you are sick. This became a social norm following the SARS outbreak in 2003, when wearing a face mask was seen as a civic duty. Our Host James Chau dives into how Asian cultures have played a role in stopping the regional spread of the virus.

We must all do our part to protect each other and mitigate the spread of the virus. We especially need to look out for our vulnerable communities who need our support. Our Host James Chau details simple measures to protect each other and addresses the inequities that underprivileged people are dealing with on top of the pandemic.

We’ve been sheltering from the pandemic for more than half the year now. And while the world is earnestly working towards a better tomorrow, we are still reeling from the immediate impact of the original outbreak. Our Host James Chau breaks down how the world is reacting to developments in vaccine research and public health measures, and how these solutions can best be deployed to benefit all of humanity.

The pandemic has placed leaders under sharp scrutiny. A global wave of public mistrust in institutions and information has created fear, anxiety, and suspicion. But in Asia, a region of 4 billion people, public sentiment seems to tell a different story, according to two recent studies by Harvard and Edelman. Our Host James Chau breaks down the divergent trends in Asia, where trust in leadership seems to be on the rise, even during a protracted fight against the outbreak.

In a world still struggling to come to terms with a pandemic, Norway is one of the least impacted. Its leader Erna Solberg went in hard and early to prevent infections from taking root, a strategy that has protected the country's more than 5 million people. In this wide ranging conversation with our Host James Chau, she shares some of the fundamental lessons from this ongoing experience. This interview is in partnership with SHE—the community, conference, and movement to achieve equality in society. Join their call at sheinsight.com.

Amid this pandemic, there is growing consensus that treatment and vaccines should be accessible and affordable to all. Our Host James Chau joins Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, and numerous world leaders, in pledging support for a universally available vaccine. This pledge declares that such a vaccine should be named a “global common good”— free from any patent right belonging to anyone.

Work from home has become a new part of a world in pandemic. Employees have been thrust into uncharted territory, upending traditional office culture in the interest of public health and safety. From apps to video calls and virtual social spaces, technology is helping us to navigate a way forward. Our Host James Chau looks at how technology once taken for granted is now the lifeblood of businesses everywhere, and how the challenging conditions of the pandemic are driving innovation in technology and education.

In many ways, Africa, which consists of an incredibly diverse group of civilizations with thriving innovation and culture, could lead our planet towards the future. The effects of the outbreak have been felt differently there, making the continent uniquely positioned to mitigate the effects of the pandemic. From managing food shortages to televised schooling, The China Current’s Laura de Belgique and James Chau go through the ways African countries are handling the challenges of the health crisis.

Low Touch Economy | The Novel Outbreak There’s been a sharp uptick in take-out and food delivery, indoor spaces have emptied, and businesses are reshaping how customers and employees interact. This is the beginning of what many are calling a “low-touch economy”. Driven by safety measures to combat the spread of the virus, businesses around the world, from hotels to restaurants and retailers, have had to restructure under the pandemic or shut down altogether. Our Contributing Editor Laura de Belgique dives into what a low-touch economy will mean for the world.

A year ago, we spoke with Junzi Kitchen about their latest expansion into midtown Manhattan. As the fast-casual Chinese restaurant grew, no one could have guessed that a deadly respiratory virus would bring New York, and most of the world, to a standstill.

“As long as there is one person on earth carrying this virus, it’s a risk for the rest.” The world is hard at work searching for an end to our current health crisis, but the end may not be near. Even with a vaccine, explains Dr. Peter Piot, the co-discoverer of Ebola, we will not be 100% protected. Therefore, we must take care to protect ourselves and also protect others. Our Host James Chau speaks to Professor Piot who is the Director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

“We are just at the beginning, and I think [recovery] will require an unprecedented type of solidarity.” Our final segment with Peter Piot, co-discoverer of Ebola, sheds light on how the pandemic is changing the balance of power at the global level. Our Host James Chau speaks to Professor Piot, Director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Millions have now experienced the physical and mental toll of the virus spreading globally—including Peter Piot, who in 1976 co-discovered Ebola in Central Africa. In this special interview, he revisits his recent hospitalization, and near-death experience, describing it as a state of moving “between heaven and earth.” Our Host James Chau speaks to Professor Piot who is the Director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Follow us for stories on how the outbreak is shaping our modern world.

All around the world, couples have had to delay their weddings or alter their engagement plans, with some hosting small ceremonies in their backyards or even over video conference. This story is about what it means to be in love during a time of crisis, when we are physically separated from our loved ones and have had to change how we express our love.

886 is a NYC-based Taiwanese restaurant that has been making bento boxes—prepped meals with rice, veggies, and meat—for frontline workers throughout the outbreak. It’s named “886” for the area code Co-Owner and Chef, Eric Sze, had to dial to call his family back in Taiwan when he first moved to the US. He says everything about his cooking is centered on home and feeling safe—a message strengthened by his team’s dedication to providing help during today’s health crisis. Our Host James Chau speaks with Chef Sze about their story.

Norway has achieved one of the most inclusive societies today. Relatively poor before the 1970s, it now has one of the highest per capita incomes. But how will it negotiate a new world? James Chau, Host of The China Current, speaks to Norway's leader Erna Solberg. This special interview is in partnership with SHE – the community and conference. Sign up at sheinsight.com

Erna Solberg is the second woman leader of Norway. During the pandemic, female leaders have been widely praised for their response to the new global challenges. James Chau, Host of The China Current, speaks to Erna Solberg about the importance of gender in this unprecedented time, and how we can all work to better meet the rights and needs of women and girls in our communities. This special interview is in partnership with SHE – the community, conference, and movement that is bringing equality to all. Join their movement by signing up at sheinsight.com

In the 1950s, American virologist Jonas Salk improved the health of millions when he created a vaccine for polio. But what made his contribution even more significant was his refusal of a legal patent for his invention. Salk wanted everyone to benefit. Almost 70 years later, global scientists are searching for a vaccine for COVID-19, with politicians, experts and elders calling for one to be made available to all - and at no cost. Our host James Chau takes a deep dive into this story.

Norway, along with its 5.4 million people, offers a compassionate and effective model in the way it’s responded to the current health crisis. As of early June, only 238 people have died from the virus—much lower than in many other parts of the world. In parallel, it’s contributing to the development of a vaccine. In this part of this special interview, our Host James Chau speaks with Prime Minister Erna Solberg about science, solidarity, and leadership. This interview is a partnership between The China Current and SHE, the community, conference, and movement that encourages equality in business, to drive growth and create real change in society. Be a part of the transformation and join the movement—sign up at sheinsight.com.

We’ve featured Emma Yang before, a tech teen and founder of the Timeless app who has recently begun to support her community during today’s health crisis. Her insights from working with older people—particularly those with Alzheimer's—give her perspective into how today’s health emergency acutely endangers the aging. We speak with Emma about her efforts in New York City, supporting frontline workers, and speaking up at a time of global change.

As global leaders continue to organize their pandemic response teams, U.S. leadership is balancing the need to maintain some sections of the economy while keeping people safe from the health crisis. It’s a hard-struck balance, and no one is exactly sure where it will lead us as some states begin to reopen. One organization, The Rockefeller Foundation, has set forth a national testing plan to meet the needs of this moment. President of The Rockefeller Foundation Dr. Rajiv J. Shah is leading this initiative to ramp up U.S. testing, all while working from home. We speak with him from his home in New York.

As global leaders continue to organize their pandemic response teams, U.S. leadership is balancing the need to maintain some sections of the economy while keeping people safe from the health crisis. It’s a hard-struck balance, and no one is exactly sure where it will lead us as some states begin to reopen. One organization, The Rockefeller Foundation, has set forth a national testing plan to meet the needs of this moment. President of The Rockefeller Foundation Dr. Rajiv J. Shah is leading this initiative to ramp up U.S. testing, all while working from home. We speak with him from his home in New York. Follow us for stories on how the outbreak is shaping our modern world. Part1: Meeting This Moment | Dr. Rajiv Shah | The Novel Outbreak Part2: Part3:

As global leaders continue to organize their pandemic response teams, U.S. leadership is balancing the need to maintain some sections of the economy while keeping people safe from the health crisis. It’s a hard-struck balance, and no one is exactly sure where it will lead us as some states begin to reopen. One organization, The Rockefeller Foundation, has set forth a national testing plan to meet the needs of this moment. President of The Rockefeller Foundation Dr. Rajiv J. Shah is leading this initiative to ramp up U.S. testing, all while working from home. We speak with him from his home in New York. Follow us for stories on how the outbreak is shaping our modern world.

Before the health crisis began, the city of Wuhan was known as a center for academia in China. Now, it has become infamous as the first city struck by the pandemic. But Wuhan is also one of the first cities to overcome the devastation—giving it a renewed identity of strength and perseverance. But what has happened since, and what future can its people look forward to in this rapidly changing world? We take a step back and look at the critical days after lockdown, and the slow and safe return to some normalcy after tragedy.

Poverty and hunger are a result of an engine that should not be restarted, but should instead be rebuilt in the midst of today’s global health crisis. Nobel laureate and social entrepreneur Professor Yunus sits down with our host James Chau in this special interview about our collective consciousness and our responsibilities for the future. Part 1: Our Fate Moving Forward Part 2: Restarting the Engine

In 2006, Muhammad Yunus won the Nobel Peace Prize for his contributions towards alleviating global poverty. Now, the "banker to the poor" is shifting his focus to today’s health crisis— to help transform a world already hurt by a range of inequalities.

“Its greatest impact has been economic.” From global economies to local communities, the outbreak has shaken the world. What comes next exactly is unpredictable, but we should prepare for heightened tensions and continued global economic challenges and disputes. Our host James Chau speaks with Vali Nasr, former Dean of Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

“The pandemic should have been an occasion for our two countries to find ways to cooperate.” Since the beginning of the outbreak, the US-China relationship has become tenser. Johns Hopkins Professor Vali Nasr sits down with our host James Chau to discuss resolving the tensions between our two countries and charting a path forward.

Before the pandemic, youth around the world were pushing for change⁠— seeking clean air, equity, and good governance⁠— then a health crisis struck. So, what does the future look like for youth now? Johns Hopkins Professor Vali Nasr sits down with our host James Chau to discuss solving systemic issues and finding hope for the future.

“Epidemics feed on existing inequalities.” While today’s crisis threatens our global health, it also calls attention to invisible issues that, behind closed doors, are detrimental to the wellbeing of many. Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, speaks with our host James Chau about the importance of stepping up to lead as an ordinary person.

“We are learning that health is a human right, not a commodity for sale. Today’s crisis is threatening healthcare systems around the world. Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, speaks with our host James Chau about global access to healthcare, and the effects of treating healthcare as a right instead of selling it as a good.

Everyone is impacted differently in times of crises. Today, those with preexisting health conditions are facing increased barriers to treatment and access to medication, compounding the challenges they already face. Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS Executive Director, speaks with our host James Chau about vulnerable populations and the hope that community leadership provides.

In China, lockdown has ended. This means that people are going back to work for the first time in months and innovation is picking up where it left off. Tesla’s new China factory is back in production, an example of how one company is getting back on its feet.

In 1918, nearly half a billion people were infected globally in a major outbreak of the flu. The devastating outbreak forewarned of more health emergencies to come and served as a reminder to countries that we must always be prepared. Almost 100 years later, major health crises again emerged—SARS struck in 2002, MERS in 2012, and Ebola returned in 2014. Our host James Chau looks at the implications of ignoring pandemic warnings, the ability of economies to withstand lockdowns, and why global supply chains must be diversified now.

Hong Kong has achieved one of the lowest infection rates in the world during the current outbreak, thanks in part to rigorous testing and tracing measures. With no new cases for several days in a row, this Asian financial center is now beginning to ease restrictions, using methods grounded in epidemiological research and political planning. Our host James Chau looks at the science-based approach that has shaped Hong Kong's response, and how its experience facing SARS almost 20 years ago has prepared the city and its people.

While much of the world is still sheltering-in-place, Wuhan, the original epicenter of the global outbreak, has been declared virus-free. At its peak, Wuhan saw over 15,000 new cases a day. So, having zero infections, is not only a major turnaround but provides hope that this disease can indeed be contained, even when the thought seems unlikely. Our host James Chau explores how the citizens of Wuhan recovered from one of the most traumatic events in modern history, giving insight into what comes next for countries on the road to remission.

The Sustainable Development Goals - also known as the Global Goals - sets out the 17 primary ambitions for humanity to achieve by the year 2030, including the fight against poverty and hunger, and achieving the dream of good health, education and gender equality for all. Our host James Chau speaks to Professor Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University, who as an SDG Advocate for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, is guiding us towards a better future.

Jeffrey Sachs is one of the foremost architects of our global future. The economist describes himself as a "big believer" in a robust and compassionate multilateral system – now more than ever. Our host James Chau speaks to him about the wisdom of working together.

The world needs strong global partnerships in times of trouble. Jeffrey Sachs, economist and University Professor at Columbia University, sits down with our host James Chau to discuss the importance of international collaboration.

California womenswear brand L'AGENCE wanted to be supportive during these troubling times and did so in the way they know best: by donating jeans. L'AGENCE donated $1M of their denim to female health workers on the front lines, and while jeans aren’t a necessity in this crisis, they knew it was the best way to use their expertise to give back, express their gratitude, and put smiles on people’s faces. L'AGENCE CEO and Creative Director Jeffrey Rüdes designed this crisis-response campaign. Our host James Chau speaks to the brand’s CEO and President, Jeffrey Rüdes and Albert Schami, about this act of kindness in a time of division and the economic impact. So far, thousands of health workers have responded to the gifts with expressions of joy and thanks. L'AGENCE CEO and Creative Director, Jeffrey Rüdes, designed this crisis-response campaign. Our host James Chau speaks to him and the brand’s President Albert Schami about this act of kindness in a time of division and the economic impact the pandemic will have on American industry.

COVID-19 is the greatest current threat to global stability. But it is also a reminder that humanity has yet to learn how to co-exist respectfully with our planet. Stories of wildlife returning to cities in lockdown, while not always accurate, highlight a new awareness that we are guests of the natural world. Reduced air travel and closed factories have sparked a dramatic decrease in pollution, meaning that in many areas around the world, there is visibly cleaner air and water. Our host James Chau explores the human dimensions of this relationship, in an era of climate change, and in a time of pandemic.

The COVID-19 response is being led by leaders in politics, science and health. But one teenager in Hong Kong is reshaping that narrative with a platform she's created to involve people young and older. With a simple but effective action list, she is calling on everyone to participate in impactful solutions - and at the same time, reminding us to stay at home and to wash our hands. The message here is 'kindness' - and woven into it is a nuanced mission, she says, to demonstrate that the young people of Hong Kong, a city already battered by months of protests, are able to craft a happier future for themselves, and for everyone.

Attica Scott is one of very few elected women of color in the United States. As a Kentucky State Representative, she is a unique face of leadership in a state that has battled poverty and racial division. The threat of COVID-19 has highlighted deep inequalities in healthcare systems, especially for minority communities who are already at a disadvantage. But despite these enormous challenges, Kentucky is currently relatively unscathed in the ongoing crisis— with a relatively low number of deaths and infections compared to its neighboring states. Our host James Chau speaks to Representative Scott about the community leadership behind Kentucky’s response, her concerns for people in rural areas, and how she and her colleagues are governing in a crisis. She says now is the time to put aside our divisions, break down walls, and focus on taking care of everyone to find a way to move forward.

Our host James Chau speaks with global leader Helen Clark, who is leading a new charge to protect our physical health and our financial health.

Our host James Chau speaks with global leader Helen Clark about how the world needs solidarity and testing, not name-calling and inaction.

Our host James Chau speaks with global leader Helen Clark, who is leading a new charge to protect our physical health and our financial health.

Helen Clark was Prime Minister of New Zealand and Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme. Today, she is a pivotal leader who is exercising her statesmanship against COVID-19, the greatest threat to space and security. In her communications with the UN Security Council and G20 leaders, she has made a clarion call for a global coordinated action to include urgent funding, debt relief, and a reset mindset that will allow countries to go hard and forward together. Our host James Chau speaks with Helen Clark in this special interview from her home in Auckland.

This crisis has hit hard for those who rely on fragile incomes, refugees and migrants especially. The international community is called to not only work to support those disenfranchised today, but to work to solve the issues of tomorrow. Our host James Chau speaks with UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, about how global leadership is needed to ensure a sustainable future for the world's most vulnerable.

International aid depends on international generosity. With the world’s resources on lockdown or in short supply, we must remember how we got here in order to move forward. Our host James Chau speaks with UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, about how displaced populations and organizations that support them are fighting to sustain.

The pandemic presents an enormous challenge for the most vulnerable of society. In particular, refugees and displaced people, who live their lives on the move, find themselves stuck and unable to protect themselves from the spread of the virus. This crisis delivers a clear message: we are not alone, and we must not work alone to protect the vulnerable. Our host James Chau speaks with UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi.

76 Days in Lockdown Ends | The Novel Outbreak Wuhan was the first city in the world to go into lockdown when its people retreated to their homes on January 23. April 8th marked the lifting of lockdown restrictions, and for many, the first time in 76 days that they opened their doors and walked outside. Today, four billion people are experiencing life in lockdown. But the lockdown in Wuhan and its surrounding cities in Hubei Province is still unprecedented for its scale and discipline— no private vehicles, no public transport, and everyone required to stay inside. This is a story that speaks to the human spirit and a commitment to stop the spread of the virus.

COVID-19 is deeply impacting nearly every part of our lives. The pandemic is intersectional, affecting everything from the economy and healthcare to politics and infrastructure. It is now more apparent than ever that to beat the virus, we must have a holistic approach to the problems of today, so that we can have a more secure tomorrow. We have seen, for instance, that community-wide actions such as social distancing and lock-downs have made a dent in the spread of cases in many regions, enabling lives to be saved and communities to return to activity faster and with less overall disruption. Our host James Chau speaks on prime time about the importance of human-centric approaches to fighting the pandemic.

As the health crisis deepens in the United States, it has disproportionately affected people of color. Groups like Black Lives Matter warned that people of color with lower access to basic healthcare services could be hit harder as the crisis unfolds. To explore this issue, our host James Chau spoke with Lateefah Simon, a prolific civil rights advocate, community leader, and elected public official in the San Francisco Bay Area. James worked with Lateefah during the AIDS pandemic, and in this interview, they discuss the stakes for people of all colors, the future we face, and what chance we have in this global crisis. She says when we all unify, we unleash our collective power.

Since Wuhan and its surrounding areas lifted its city-wide lockdown, 60 million people have been able to leave their homes freely and walk outside, many of them for the first time in 76 days. As the city slowly returns to normal, the timeline of events from the earliest days of the outbreak is beginning to emerge. It was in late December when an unknown pneumonia was detected in Wuhan— triggering an alert system that notified the World Health Organization. Days later, the genome sequence was published on an open platform, allowing international scientists to collaborate. This story explores the critical first days and weeks of what is now a global pandemic.

We've brought you many conversations with people shaping the response and looked at the consequences for highly vulnerable communities, like refugees, asylum seekers, and people of color. But the fallout from this pandemic is only becoming more apparent as each day passes. That's why our host James Chau speaks to art historian Manfredi della Gherardesca, who provides a lens by which we can digest the world before, during, and after COVID-19. Like many people, he is also a first-hand participant in the complexities of the lockdown, choosing to leave his home in London for his home country of Italy, even though it is one of the worst-affected of all.

Filippo Grandi brings enormous field experience in emergency operations to his role as UN High Commissioner for Refugees - and compassion and kindness, too. Today, there are 70.8 million forcibly removed people, whose challenges and those of their host communities are compounded by COVID-19, the biggest threat to humanity in almost a century. What future awaits these individuals, many of whom have no home or access to clean water - but are being told to stay indoors and wash their hands? And what hope do they have in this era of lockdowns and closed borders, when movement and escape are sometimes their only means of survival? In this special conversation, our host James Chau speaks with Mr. Grandi about the human condition that impacts us all.

Weeks ago, we interviewed our China Current London-based editor, Laura de Belgique, about the unfolding situation in the UK. Since the interview, we have seen Europe fight hard against the tidal wave of COVID-19. As governments everywhere are struggling to respond to the fast-moving virus, the public tries to adjust to the new reality impacting their day-to-day lives. With orders to stay home, families are coming together more than ever to stave off the rising fear of an unprecedented time.

Lateefah Simon is a prolific civil rights and racial justice advocate, community leader, and elected public official in the San Francisco Bay Area. As the pandemic deepens in the United States, groups like the Black Lives Matter warn that people of color will be harder hit, because of a inequities in a healthcare system that often means higher rates of chronic disease, and lower access to basic services. Our host James Chau worked with Lateefah in AIDS, and in this interview they discuss the stakes for people of all colors, the future they face, and what chance they have in this emergency. She says when they unify, they unleash the collective power of the American promise.

Costantino della Gherardesca is an Italian writer and television host on the popular show Pechino Express. Due to the pandemic, he has relocated to Rome, where the entertainment industry has come to a near standstill. Costantino says people need emotional relief from the realities of the daily news. It is his public duty, he says, to entertain people and make them smile again - now more than ever. Our host James Chau speaks to Costantino about his role as a leading cultural figure in Italy. Together, they unpack the social landscape and how it is shaping the response in one of the worst-affected countries.

“Everything that happened in China will have to happen in other economies.” Renowned economist Lawrence Lau speaks on the economic, governmental, and societal impacts of the current global health crisis. Professor Lau has lived more than half his life in the United States, studying first at Stanford and Berkeley, before joining the Stanford faculty and becoming a professor at the age of 32. After the onset of SARS, he became the Vice-Chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, where he continues to serve as the Lauder Professor of Economics. Our host James Chau interviewed him in Hong Kong.

In these uncertain times, it’s important to see the current crisis as a human crisis, and remember that radical acts of kindness can bring us closer together and help to make this world a better place to live. One such example is the Shangri-La Hotel in Wuhan. In the midst of the global health crisis, the five-star multinational hotel group provided rooms – a home – for 236 health workers who volunteered to the original epicenter of the crisis, and cooked 24,000 meals for doctors and nurses in hospitals nearby. Given the emergency the city was in, this was a unique challenge in itself. Our host James Chau spoke to Charlie Dang, Executive Vice President for Operations in South China at Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, to understand how acts of kindness in challenging times make us human.

Gender is always critical and again in the COVID-19 pandemic. Early data shows high-risk groups including the ageing population and those with underlying health issues such as long-term heart, liver, kidney and lung disease. But we are also beginning to know that men are more susceptible to infection, though the reasons for this are not clear. At the same time, with women making up the majority of the world’s health workforce, what is the opportunity here to create a new movement for equality, so that the legacy of COVID-19 can produce some meaningful good for all of us? Our host James Chau speaks to Professor Sarah Hawkes, Director of the Centre for Gender and Global Health at the University College of London, and Co-Founder of Global Health 50/50.

Last Wednesday, our host James Chau interviewed Andrea Pastorelli, a friend in Rome who graciously agreed to speak about his experience being in lockdown in Italy. What he didn't know was that Andrea and his husband Seth Doane, a CBS correspondent, had that same day been tested for COVID-19. While Andrea was negative, Seth's result returned positive. Here, we get an inside look into Italy during this unprecedented time—a first-hand look into the private lives of friends and families at the European epicenter. We wish Andrea and Seth, and everyone following us, good health.

With every country reacting differently and each having varying levels of health infrastructure, it is impossible to tell just how long the COVID-19 epidemic will persist. But Dr. Takeshi Kasai, who heads the WHO region that includes China, South Korea, and Japan, warns that the virus taking over the world is not going to end soon. With this uncertainty ahead, he says a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach is critical—but perhaps more so are the actions that each individual around the world chooses to take. Dr. Kasai speaks with our host and WHO Goodwill Ambassador, James Chau, about why COVID-19 isn’t going anywhere yet.

“You are not alone. We can get through this.” As millions of people around the world stay indoors to prevent the spread of the virus, others still question the importance of social distancing. Lena Li, a teacher in complete lockdown in Wuhan for over two months, shares why it’s important to stay inside―and why we should have hope. Follow us for the latest stories in our special coverage on the novel outbreak.

As the world gradually begins to shut down, older people are highly vulnerable—not only to the virus but to the challenge of self-isolation. Who will look after them? How will they get their groceries? Can they still access medicines and treatments? Our host James Chau spoke to Lena Li, a teacher in lockdown in Wuhan, who hasn't left her home in over two months. Each day, she contacts her elderly father who lives nearby—alone—because her mother can't re-enter the city after traveling before the outbreak. Lena's story—and her worries— are all too familiar to families around the world.

“We are doing our contribution to the country by staying at home.” Lena Li, a school teacher in lockdown in Wuhan, hasn’t left her home since January 20th. Like her, millions of people around the world are currently living, working, and studying from home. Meanwhile, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, who are nurses, doctors, and volunteers, are fighting the epidemic from the front lines—risking their health and their lives for their community and country. Everyone has a part to play to prevent the spread of the disease.

In 2015, the UN adopted a 15-year agenda to end poverty, protect the planet, and improve the lives of everyone on Earth. Now, 5 years into the SDGs—or Sustainable Development Goals—the world faces an unprecedented obstacle in the COVID-19 pandemic. WHO Director of the Western Pacific, Dr. Takeshi Kasai, speaks about preparing our future for global health security while battling the new coronavirus. Follow us for the latest stories in our special coverage on the novel outbreak.

Wuhan, once the epicenter of the outbreak, has this month reported several straight days of zero new local cases of COVID-19. This came as Italy experiences its highest death count in a single day to date. As the virus continues to shock and rattle communities and governments around the world, more eyes turn to Wuhan’s story. WHO Director of the Western Pacific, Dr. Takeshi Kasai, speaks with our host and WHO Goodwill Ambassador, James Chau, about how Wuhan was able to slow, and eventually stop, the spread of the virus. He also speaks about the dangers of stigmatizing people of East Asian descent, and why it’s important that the name of the disease is COVID-19.

Economists fear the long-term outcomes of the COVID-19 outbreak. With the world more interconnected than ever, the world economy and supply chains are at risk, and many countries have already taken a hit. Large international corporation production has slowed and migrated to other countries, meanwhile, people around the world are hunkering down at home and not spending as usual.

The US is bracing for impact. California now has a stay-at-home order, Ohio and other states have suspended their spring elections, and Kentucky’s governor has begun daily livestream news updates. In this episode, we dig into the US’s response to COVID-19. UC Berkeley professor of epidemiology, Dr. Art Reingold, speaks with our host and WHO Goodwill Ambassador, James Chau.

Thousands of young Americans have gone through with their spring break plans, many going to the beach or out to parties—believing that because they are young, they are immune to COVID-19. As the outbreaks in China and Italy have taught us, young people are susceptible too, with new reports showing that many of them are being hospitalized — and even those that appear healthy and well are still able to spread the virus to others. UC Berkeley professor of epidemiology, Dr. Art Reingold, speaks with our host and WHO Goodwill Ambassador, James Chau.

International travel has never been this cheap, neither has it been this risky. Airlines have begun to cut their international flights and domestic travel has been met with increased government restrictions. Since the United States’ first infected case, there has been a media frenzy around air travel, and rightly so. Our host James Chau speaks with Professor Gabriel Leung, member of the joint WHO-China Joint Mission, about how to travel safely during the outbreak.

One year ago, Dr. Takeshi Kasai was elected the World Health Organization Regional Director of the West Pacific—a region composed of 37 countries and areas, from China to American Samoa, from Australia to the Philippines, where he is based. At its heart are 1.9 billion people —a quarter of humanity— with vastly different health needs and a great number of dynamic micro-communities. Our host James Chau speaks with Dr. Kasai on how COVID-19 continues to impact this region, the template it offers to the unfolding global pandemic elsewhere, and why he is adamant that the disease is called "COVID-19" — and nothing else.

When Ebola hit Africa, its healthcare systems were neither ready nor equipped to meet the crisis. Like COVID-19, the loss of life was tragic, and the outbreak influenced leaders in Africa – and particularly then President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia – to more heavily invest in health training and infrastructure, so that it would never happen again. Our host and WHO Goodwill Ambassador, James Chau, speaks with Dr. Vanessa Kerry, CEO of Seed Global Health, about the lessons learned from Ebola. Follow us for the latest stories in our special coverage on the novel outbreak.

Governments around the world are shutting their borders, restricting travel, and banning public events. And while good approaches like social distancing and proper hand hygiene have been at the center of outbreak discussions, fake news and stigmatization have in some cases spread just as fast as the virus. Our host James Chau speaks with Professor Gabriel Leung, member of the joint WHO-China Joint Mission, about trusting science and reason. Follow us for the latest stories in our special coverage on the novel outbreak.

Dr. Vanessa Kerry saw from a young age the importance of health education around the world. Now, she is the co-founder and CEO of Seed Global Health, training over 16,000 health professionals internationally. Our host and WHO Goodwill Ambassador, James Chau, speaks with Dr. Kerry about the critical role of health workers in our communities – a lesson that all countries are being reminded to learn again in the current COVID-19 pandemic. Follow us for the latest stories in our special coverage on the novel outbreak.

Scientists and global health experts joined the WHO-China Joint Mission to China - seeking to find answers and to prepare the world for the rapidly spreading disease. Their discoveries are produced in the WHO-China Joint Mission Report, which lays out the approaches being implemented in nearly every country: social distancing and strategic containment. As more countries brace for impact, the importance of the mission could not be more apparent, and has likely helped to save thousands of lives and even more infections. Our host James Chau speaks with Professor Gabriel Leung, member of the joint WHO-China Joint mission. Follow us for the latest stories in our special coverage on the novel outbreak. Twitter: https://twitter.com/thechinacurrent Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChinaCurrent

While the world mourns the loss of lives in many countries including China, Iran, South Korea, the public is paying particular attention to Europe as the new epicenter of the pandemic. Within a few short weeks, the region has seen confirmed cases of the coronavirus skyrocket. As governments everywhere are struggling to respond to the fast-moving virus, scientists in the UK are working to better understand the epidemiology, and the public tries to adjust to the new reality impacting their day-to-day lives. Our host James Chau speaks with Laura de Belgique, a London-based contributing editor for The China Current. Follow us for the latest stories in our special coverage on the novel outbreak.

As cases of COVID-19 see significant growth around the world, and China’s first wave of cases has already peaked, some are asking if we could see a second wave. Our host James Chau speaks with Professor Gabriel Leung, member of the joint WHO-China COVID-19 mission and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong. They discuss how countries around the world could adopt aspects of China’s approach to outbreak-response to better protect their communities.

Schools all over the US and around the world have begun to cancel or suspend classes, and schools in China have been closed for nearly a month already, with students finishing their coursework from home. For scientists, there remain many questions about children and the disease — how susceptible are they to infection and are they likely to easily infect others? Our host James Chau speaks with Professor Gabriel Leung, member of the joint WHO-China COVID-19 mission, about the severity levels of cases.

Lena, a local teacher in Wuhan, China, has not left her apartment since January 20th. The historic city was shocked into lockdown in January when it became the epicenter of the outbreak. After reporting 15,000 infections a day in China, that number has now dropped to a handful a day. But Wuhan remains under lockdown. Lena tells our host James Chau about life under quarantine— she is separated from her father, who is living alone nearby, and her mother, who was traveling at the time of the outbreak, was unable to return. Yet, despite all the challenges, Lena says she feels grateful to be alive and is happy to be in quarantine for the health of her family and the good of the country. This is a story of resilience and solidarity.

Last Wednesday, I interviewed Andrea Pastorelli, a friend in Rome who graciously agreed to speak on record about his experience in lockdown in Italy. What I didn't know was that Andrea and his husband Seth Doane, had that same day been tested for COVID-19. Seth's result returned positive, Andrea negative, but because of their close contact. Andrea has been told he could be a false negative. They are at home in Rome.

The World Health Organization says the global outbreak of COVID-19 can be characterized a "pandemic". Our host James Chau draws on his insights as a WHO Goodwill Ambassador to explain what this means and what will happen next. With over 100,00 confirmed cases and more than 4,000 deaths, the virus has spread to every continent on the planet - apart from Antarctica. Now, countries are under growing pressure to provide services that will allow them to detect, test, and treat their impacted populations. With China seeing a sharp drop in new infections, Japan, South Korea, and Iran still battling their outbreaks, while the United States and countries in Europe and Africa are seeing growing cases. This is our two minute guide to what you need to know.

Early data from the outbreak indicates that the ageing population, particularly those with pre-existing medical conditions, are more susceptible to infection. Nursing homes and elderly homes globally have reported community clusters. But the downside of that caution is the false sense of security that is sending to young people - especially those who are healthy. Our host James Chau speaks to Dr. Art Reingold, an epidemiologist at Berkeley with decades of first-hand experience with infectious diseases, including eight years at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He looks at the evolving outbreak in the US, and provides a balanced insight into different at risk groups, the impact of public health measures in different cultures, and the likelihood that it's going to take a turn for the worse without strong interventions.

Comparisons have been made between Chernobyl and COVID-19, as both are major humanitarian disasters that took many lives. However, the differences between the two events remain plenty, and comparisons between them ultimately disservice the victims and survivors of both crises. Watch James Chau, our host and WHO Goodwill Ambassador, share his opinion on The Point.

Leaders from different countries all over the world are putting their minds together and collaborating on how to stop the current global health crisis. While constituents must hold them accountable in leading the way towards a safer, healthier world, we should put faith and trust in those who are trained and skilled to tackle this epidemic. Our host and WHO Goodwill Ambassador, James Chau, goes on The Point to offer his perspective on staying positive — and keeping politics out of health.

It was never a question of if, but when and where the next endemic would occur. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the world has been working tirelessly to prevent the virus from becoming a full-blown pandemic, but finger-pointing and xenophobia threaten that hard work. In our increasingly interconnected world, international cooperation and synchronized action is a must, and the focus must be aimed at meeting the needs of now. James Chau, our host and WHO Goodwill Ambassador, offers his insights on The Point.

For Ebola and SARS, community leadership was pivotal to solving these crises. Now, in the midst of COVID-19, it is once again important to engage community leaders—not only by spreading a message to wash hands and take other precautions but to tell why they’re important—and help ingrain healthy habits at the community level. James Chau, our host and WHO Goodwill Ambassador, offers his insights on The Point.

“We’ve seen absolutely unprecedented global solidarity,” says WHO Chief Scientist, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan. Our host James Chau gets the latest on COVID-19 with Dr. Soumya as the world pours its resources into tackling this global health crisis. From China sharing the new virus’ genetic sequences to the public, to publications taking down their paywalls to better spread research, to countless scientists and labs coming together to find out more about the disease, global cooperation is leading the way forward to combatting this new disease. Their conversation covers what the world has learned so far.

There is not one word that captures Gabriel Leung, member of the ongoing joint WHO-China COVID-19 mission. He is an international epidemiologist instrumental in the SARS response, a former Under Secretary for Food and Health in Hong Kong, and current Dean of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong. Our host James Chau called Professor Leung in Hong Kong to discuss the scientific community’s evolving understanding of the epidemiology of the new virus, and the stigma and misinformation that attempts to undo the science.

During the AIDS epidemic, the world saw just how pivotal clear leadership and community involvement were in stopping global health crises. While there has been a heavy focus on the health of the economy in the news, we should also be focused on supporting the health of our people and health workers. Have we learned from the lessons of the past to best meet this new health crisis? James Chau, our host and WHO Goodwill Ambassador, offers his insights on The Heat.

Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, China has undertaken extensive efforts to prevent its spread and, in turn, has helped other countries prepare. As the world braces for broader impact, the international community must grasp this narrow window of opportunity to coordinate on research and development to end this global health crisis. James Chau, our host and WHO Goodwill Ambassador, offers his insights on The Heat.

Health systems around the world are struggling to meet the needs of a changing population - and in some countries that's further strained by war, pandemics, and other emergencies. Dr. Vanessa Kerry, a physician at Massachusetts General Hospital, and co-founder and CEO of Seed Global Health, is committed to addressing this critical issue. She has helped train thousands of nurses and midwives in some of the world's most fragile communities, and is helping to lead a global movement to realize that success everywhere. As a new outbreak grips the world, many health workers in Wuhan are infected and some of them dying. Dr. Kerry speaks to James Chau.

It's almost 40 years since HIV and AIDS was identified in New York and San Francisco, triggering an unprecedented response that has reshaped how we approach health, political leadership, and civil society. Now, Professor Kamarulzaman, President-elect of the International AIDS Society and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Malaya, says some of the experiences from AIDS applies to this new viral outbreak. The two are not the same: but they share similar challenges in stigma, travel bans, community mobilization, treatments, and putting humanity at the heart of an effective response. Professor Kamarulzaman speaks with James Chau.

“We are only as strong as our weakest link.” With the outbreak spreading internationally, each country faces its own unique problems, as each country has different health infrastructure and capabilities. China's efforts to contain the virus, as well as the declaration of an international health emergency, has helped those countries who may be most vulnerable to prepare. James Chau, a WHO Goodwill Ambassador, offers his take on China24 prime time news. Follow us for the latest stories in our special coverage on the novel outbreak.

The outbreak is spilling beyond China, with first infections in countries like Norway and Switzerland, and growing numbers of confirmed cases in the United States. What can we take from Wuhan‘s experience, from the protection of health workers to the management of public health measures to contain the outbreak? James Chau offers his take.

The George HW Bush Foundation for US-China Relations has initiated a donation of two million masks for health workers and infected people in China. Neil Bush, son of the former American president, and founding chair of the Foundation that honors his legacy, speaks to James Chau. He discusses the meaning behind the donation and hopes for a vaccine, and looks at other outbreaks including Ebola as examples of positive bilateral collaboration. As the outbreak spreads globally, he describes the planet as one human race where "problems in China aren't exclusive to China".

Singapore is one of the affected countries in the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. But of the dozens of confirmed cases, over half have been discharged, and there have been no deaths. Kishore Mahbubani, the author of 'Has the West Lost?' and the upcoming book 'Has China Won?' was Singapore's Permanent Representative to the UN, during which time he served as President of the UN Security Council. He speaks to James Chau on the critical role of the United Nations, Singapore's measures to fight COVID-19, and what China must do next to prevent a worse global outbreak.

Professor Sharon Lewin is the founding Director of the Doherty Institute, a world-leading center for research, laboratory, and clinical care - and the first outside China to isolate the coronavirus now known as COVID-19. Her team is working on a vaccine, a major global development she shared with Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison when he visited the Doherty in Melbourne last week. She speaks to James Chau about the progress in science, the need for a vaccine, the treatments that could save lives in the meantime, and the likelihood that the virus could become endemic.

Last November, The China Current spoke with Ted, an American businessman in Shanghai, and his wife Gillian on the city’s efforts to modernize recycling. This month, we follow up with the family to see how they are holding up as the coronavirus outbreak unfolds. Ted and his family have spent most of this month inside their apartment compound, getting most of their necessities from online shopping. Ted shares that while living in temporary confinement is not the most comfortable, it is far less restrictive than when he and his wife lived in China under the threat of SARS. His message is simple — keep calm, and wash your hands. Follow us for the latest stories in our special coverage on the novel outbreak.

Paige is a nine-year-old American in Shanghai, who doesn't go to school, and doesn't see her friends. And it's all because of the outbreak regulations that are keeping millions of people like her at home. We first met Paige last year, when we spoke with her and her parents about their life in one of China's best-known cities. But today that life is very different— the radio repeats daily instructions on how to wash your hands, the streets are quieter than usual, and millions are working from home. Every day, Paige’s mother records her daughter’s temperature, and texts it to her teacher to keep records. Once afraid of the outbreak, Paige says she's now hopeful because of the growing numbers of people who have recovered. This is her story. Follow us for the latest stories in our special coverage on the novel outbreak.

Ambassador He Yafei was China's Vice Foreign Minister and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, where he worked closely with agencies including the World Health Organization. I wanted to draw out that insight as one of the country's foremost diplomats, but also as an ordinary person who alongside millions of others in China, is staying mostly at home during this outbreak. He says the world has become complacent to the emergence of new viruses, relying on advancement in science and medicine, and wrongly believing that there will be a cure for every illness. I called Ambassador He in his hometown of Zhejiang to discuss the impact that the new virus will have - on preparing for the next health emergency, to supply chains and the world economy, and the likely shape of global governance in this new decade.

World Health Organization Chief Scientist, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, hosted a meeting of the world's top scientists and research funders in Geneva last week to focus urgent attention on the global COVID-19 response. Our host James Chau interviews Dr. Swaminathan about the outcomes of the meeting, the science and medical community's priorities, the likelihood of a vaccine, and modified treatments that can be used to save lives now. She speaks to us from Geneva.

Strong community engagement in fighting outbreaks is a key lesson from fighting Ebola, and especially the global AIDS response. That’s according to WHO Chief of Staff Dr. Bernhard Schwartländer, who has ben deeply involved in both. Stigma and misinformation challenge this approach and create barriers to working together toward a solution, he tells our host, James Chau. In our interconnected world, where we all live and thrive together, we need global solidarity, not a shut-down borders, to solve a collective problem like the coronavirus.

Epidemiologists on a joint WHO-China mission are trying to complete their understanding of the new respiratory virus that has gripped Wuhan, its surrounding areas, and beyond. That in turn will allow public health experts to better predict the likely length of the outbreak, says China Current host James Chau. He draws on his experience covering the SARS epidemic 18 years ago, and explores if there are relevant parallels between that the coronavirus outbreak unfolding today. This is an example, he says, of a fast-moving disease that is ahead of even our scientific advances. (Photo by Xinhua News agency)

As the novel coronavirus outbreak grows and expands, scientists are rushing to identify a life-saving treatment – possibly a vaccine, or an innovation on an existing treatment. Antiretrovirals used in the AIDS response, and drug therapies from the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, are being explored. But the World Health Organization says no effective treatments have been confirmed, and that further and urgent studies are underway. China Current host James Chau breaks down the latest, and talks about the mental health challenges for millions of people in China.

Dr. Parag Khanna is an economist and author, using his writing to shape our understanding of complex global issues in a rapidly changing world. China Current host, James Chau, discusses with Dr. Khanna China’s capacity to manage the outbreak of novel coronavirus and why not enough people recognize the impact of public health on their lives. They discuss what this means for China and the international community and whether global connectivity is more a burden than a blessing when it comes to global public health. Dr. Khanna speaks to James from Singapore.

Doctors, nurses, and other key health workers have been traveling to Wuhan — creating a movement of volunteers, who are leaving the safety of their homes to fight the outbreak at its very epicenter. Their individual stories are being posted across social media, saying goodbye to their worried children, parents, and grandparents. Over the past weeks, Wuhan's exhausted health workers have been sleeping on floors, their faces deeply marked by long and grueling hours in masks and hazmat suits. These women and men are the heroes of Wuhan, risking their own health in order to save others. This is our tribute to them. (Photo by Xinhua News agency)

The World Health Organization is on its way to China, on an international mission to urgently further understand the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) that has infected tens of thousands of people in Wuhan and beyond. Dr. Bernhard Schwartländer, WHO Chief of Staff and Assistant Director-General, says the mission may go to Wuhan — or to another high-impact area, to avoid distracting from strained resources in the epicenter. He says China has helped secure the safety of the world by taking drastic action to contain the virus, pointing to the comparatively low number of infections globally. Dr. Schwartländer speaks to James Chau in this interview, sharing his insights on what the likely length of the outbreak might be, and why it is critical to mobilize a community-led movement to end it.

Millions have been watching the live feeds of China turning empty city lots into fully-functional emergency hospitals in just 10 days. These hospitals are equipped with thousands of patient beds and medical technology – and staffed by military doctors with first-hand experience battling Ebola in West Africa. These modern, makeshift facilities are being built at a time when local hospitals are overwhelmed and local gymnasiums are being repurposed to provide extra beds. Step by step, China seems to be catching up with the wide-spreading virus. Follow us for the latest stories in our special coverage on the novel outbreak.

In China, cities are being sealed off, employees are being asked to work from home, and face masks are in very short supply as the novel coronavirus hits 20,000 cases. After the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency, the world has been on high alert — focusing funding and resources to combat the spread of the virus. WHO Goodwill Ambassador, and host of The China Current, James Chau was interviewed on what this health emergency means for the public — offering a reminder to set aside panic and keep informed. It is a time for solidarity and science, not rumor and stigma, urges James. Follow us for the latest stories on the novel outbreak.

In her first interview since the outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), Dr Margaret Chan looks at the implications as the number of infections and deaths climb. For over a decade, Dr Chan was Director-General of the World Health Organization, managing outbreaks from Zika, to polio, and the Ebola epidemic in West Africa that claimed 11,323 lives. All of these were declared a public health emergency of international concern - as has the current outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) by her successor, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. I first met Dr Chan during SARS when she was Director of Health in Hong Kong, and later served her and now Dr Tedros as a WHO Goodwill Ambassador. In this podcast, I wanted to draw out her deep experience in handling infectious diseases, to understand what this global health emergency means, and - in a world at acute risk for disease epidemics and pandemics - what governments and individuals can do to prepare now. Interview with James Chau. You can watch video highlights from this video by following @thechinacurrent on social media or www.thechinacurrent.com