With attractions closed, events canceled and people advised to stay home during the extended New Year holiday, China’s mental health is under the spotlight.
Some provinces, such as Anhui in eastern China, opened 24/7 hotlines for people mentally affected by the epidemic to seek advice from psychologists or psychiatrists.
Two women in Beijing on February 3.
Medical experts offer suggestions on how to relax your mind.
`After crying, you will feel better. After the rain, the sun will shine again,` he added.
Some online users found his advice quite humorous.
The Chinese government actively propagates and calls on people to act responsibly.
A banner outside a Beijing housing complex urges residents to `avoid going out, wear masks, keep distance from others and don’t shake hands.`
Chinese state television livestreamed the construction of two new field hospitals in Wuhan city, where the outbreak began, to turn viewers into `online monitors`.
Discussion topics, images and humorous videos about how Chinese people pass the time while staying at home also bring laughter, helping people feel less pessimistic about the situation.
In an effort to stop the spread of the virus, China restricted travel and locked down most of Hubei province for nearly two weeks.
But experts urge people not to drink or play games to kill time at home.
`Drinking and playing video games for long hours is not a good way to relieve stress and can make your emotions worse,` she said.
Countries with nCoV patients.