Hotline opened

The lockdown had an immediate effect on life in Wuhan. On Jan 26, Ye wrote in his diary, "After buses and private cars were banned from the streets to minimize movement of people, the bustling city became quiet while the war against the novel coronavirus outbreak intensified."

Xiao Jinsong, a senior psychologist at Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University and president of the Hubei Psychologists' Association, said people felt worried and helpless because they had no idea about what was going to happen, as the lockdown was new to everyone, including the authorities.

On the first day of the lockdown, the association opened a hotline to provide free consultations to people in Wuhan

"As the number of cases soared, many people were uncertain whether they could get help if they became infected, due to a severe shortage of hospital beds. Some patients confirmed with the disease who could not get treatment called us after having suicidal thoughts," Xiao said.

Gong Yili, an associate professor at Wuhan University, said the lockdown is the best way to protect everyone in China.

After it was imposed, the 43-year-old said she found it difficult to obtain face masks and some groceries as people stocked up on daily essentials. She also felt sad when she saw on social media that doctors were struggling to treat patients who flocked to hospitals. She said she felt like a "bystander", until the virus hit her family.

On Jan 26, Yan Bin, Gong's husband, started to develop a cough and fever. Suspecting that he might have novel coronavirus pneumonia, the family implemented quarantine measures at home. Gong knew it could take some time for Yan to be tested for the virus, as medical resources were overstretched.

"We knew we had to remain calm while trying our best to protect our child and parents living in the apartment," she said.

Her husband planned a route to visit the bathroom from the room where he had isolated himself, telling Gong about the areas he had touched, which she then disinfected.

On Feb 3, it was confirmed that he had the virus and he was moved to an isolation facility at a hotel, before being hospitalized after his condition deteriorated on Feb 11.