China's community-based crisis management model for COVID-19: A zero-tolerance approach

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Crisis Management

Background:

• COVID-19 management strategies include zero-tolerance and co-existence approaches.
• Co-existence is now mainstream globally, despite high infection rates.
• China's zero-tolerance approach achieved immediate control and low infection rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To interpret China's zero-tolerance COVID-19 management using the China-Singapore Crisis Management (CBCM) model.
• To discuss the secondary hazards and applicability of China's CBCM model.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of China's COVID-19 management strategies.
• Application of the China-Singapore Crisis Management (CBCM) model.
• Discussion of government leadership, societal factors, and strategy effectiveness.

Main Results:

• China's CBCM model, adapted from Singapore's SARS response, achieved universal prevention, detection, and control through community cooperation.
• Government leadership was crucial.
• Societal factors like collectivism and a submissive society played significant roles.

Conclusions:

• China's zero-tolerance COVID-19 strategy, utilizing the CBCM model, was effective but potentially excessive.
• The model highlights the importance of government leadership and societal characteristics in crisis management.
• Replication of Singapore's crisis management model for SARS was observed.