Wuhan: COVID Origin City Throws Pool Party
The coronavirus pandemic that originates from Wuhan, China first emerged in November 2019 with its initial confirmed cases. According to an article published by the Global Times in July 2020, Zhang Wenhong, a prominent Chinese infectious diseases expert said that it had “already ended” in April 2020.
Following such end-of-pandemic and ‘lockdown lifted’ reports, people have begun throwing events and large gatherings big enough to fit thousands. One major ongoing event that spans over a month and a half is the HOHA Water Electrical Musical Festival that was held at the open air Wuhan Maya Beach Water Park on August 15, 2020. The festival started on July 11th, 2020 and is expected to wrap up by the end of August, 2020 on the 30th. The featured musicians and EDM artists include Akini Jing (朱婧汐), GAI (周延), Tizzy T and Panta.Q.
While the event may have kicked off over a month ago, pictures are just now beginning to go viral, with some of them available on our Instagram post below.
Thousands are attending the water park music festival with none of the many faces covered behind masks anymore. People stand shoulder-to-shoulder, drinks in hand and adorned in pool party attire or concert attire. Pictures that have gone viral seem like from another era and nothing like the 2020-characteristic photograph and videos that we have been seeing over the past 6 months’ time.
While China lifted their lockdown in April, 6 new cases emerged, followed by a country-wide plan to test the entire population of 11 million people. Social distancing and coronavirus regulations were reintroduced. By the time June arrived, street stalls and night markets reappeared. By July, cinemas, parks, libraries, and museums reopened with social distancing protocols. Eventually, larger gatherings were allowed to be held again, resulting in the HOHA musical festival to be held.
China and especially Wuhan may not be in lockdown anymore due to recoveries and low confirmed case reports, but the rest of the world is still struggling with economic declines and thousands of confirmed cases on a daily basis.
The team at Media Quotient Inc. recommends everyone to continue following Standard Operating Procedures, social distancing protocols, health and hygiene instructions, and quarantine requirements whenever you travel.
Credits: BBC/Global Times/Getty Images/AFP/Cochrane Times
