Editor's note: Chen Feng is an editor with China Plus. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Wuhan, the Chinese city hardest hit by the novel coronavirus outbreak, has lifted its outbound travel restrictions, putting an end to its 76-day lockdown.

The people of Wuhan sacrificed a great deal. In order to cut the transmission route of the virus, the 10 million or so residents self-isolated for over two months, and they did so with determination.

Some residents volunteered to act as community workers, helping with door to door disinfection, registration and ensuring the implementation of social distancing. Others overcame the risk and fear of being infected to deliver food and other daily necessities to residential quarters.

Isolation means isolation. It is not only a safety issue, but also an expression of one's awareness of social responsibility. Social distancing is so far the best way to slow the spread of the virus, but it calls for shared responsibility and everyone's' compliance.

However, the picture has been different in many other countries. In the U.S., when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a guideline advising citizens to wear masks, its top leader publicly declared that he would not wear one. Elsewhere, people without masks still hung out in the parks, streets, bars and cafes despite lockdown orders being publicized.

What Wuhan tells us is that people should not overlook it and should take protective and scientific measures seriously when a pandemic breaks out. A mask is not just a mask – it could be the difference between life and death.

It's time for people around the world to show respect for life and science and be socially responsible and accountable. 

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