Amid the tragic news of the coronavirus spreading in China, the state-run tabloid, the Global Times, has found space for a lighter look at the increasingly complicated lives of Chinese citizens in affected coronavirus areas.
“Can’t help farting?” it asks. “Well, better try harder because infrared temperature sensors recently installed in airports and train stations to monitor temperatures of passengers amid #coronavirus outbreak can screen them all.”
The accompanying video shows infrared images of people being monitored by temperature sensors set to slapstick music, complete with farting sounds.
Their flatulence registers as red “clouds”. Even a dog is caught on camera breaking wind. One woman appears to be checking her phone, handbag on shoulder, when the sensor records a red emission.
Can't help farting? Well, better try harder, because infrared temperature sensors recently installed in airports and train stations to monitor temperatures of passengers amid #coronavirus outbreak can screen them all pic.twitter.com/70ncE1HqYr
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) February 4, 2020
Chinese state media has been pushing out a series positive messages over the past couple of days, including a number of patriotic videos about the country’s attempts to fight the virus.
In a statement about the meeting of the Communist party’s central committee on Monday, the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, called for effective “propaganda and public opinion guidance”.
He said officials should not only publicise and report on decision making and the effectiveness of the government’s efforts but “vividly tell touching stories of frontline prevention efforts” and “tell the story of China’s fight against the epidemic and show the Chinese people’s spirit of unity”.
In that spirit, the People’s Daily on Tuesday tweeted that spring was coming and “all the melancholy and frustration will disappear under the sunlight and clear sky”.
Spring is just around the corner, and all the melancholy and frustration will disappear under the sunlight and clear sky. pic.twitter.com/C7HPB7BZo7
— People's Daily, China (@PDChina) February 4, 2020
On Monday, the Hollywood actor Jackie Chan headlined a rousing, patriotic video about efforts to contain the coronavirus, promising “we will overcome difficulties together”.
The song urged the people of China to “pull yourself together during many dark nights” and “never let life stop”.
🎶 China's state media has released an anthem “Believe Love Will Triumph” to keep spirits up while the nation fights the novel #coronavirus.
— QuickTake by Bloomberg (@QuickTake) February 4, 2020
It stars celebrities like @EyeOfJackieChan and @wangleehom #坚信爱会赢 #新型肺炎 #CoronavirusOutbreak pic.twitter.com/fy4x9vyruW
Another video released by CGTN said people had chosen to stay in Wuhan because of “love, people and responsibilities”.
“My city is hit by the coronavirus, but we will get through it”
— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) February 3, 2020
This video is for everyone who is fighting against the #coronavirus https://t.co/k7je5yy5LE pic.twitter.com/2Co0ABzOzU
“Everyone is united and we will work together to battle the coronavirus,” it said, adding: “I believe everything will be back to normal. Cherry blossoms will bloom, streets will be busy and people will have hot dry noodles for breakfast at restaurants.”
