Put people first in the pandemic, says Guangzhou’s Mayor

It’s not easy keeping the pandemic in check in Guangzhou, a Chinese megacity with more than 18 million residents and a vibrant global hub for trade. Yet Guangzhou has experienced fewer COVID-19 cases overall than many global cities see in a day.

Guangzhou Mayor Wen Guohui

Guangzhou Mayor Wen Guohui says that outcome is the result of an approach based on the principle of “putting people first and giving top priority to saving lives” and the practice of early detection, early reporting, early isolation and early treatment. At the same time, keeping the virus under control has allowed Guangzhou’s booming economic growth to continue.

As part of a series of interviews with mayors of lead...