China deploys drones to scold people not wearing masks

China deploys drones to scold people not wearing masks
Image source: Google

China: In an attempt to limit the spread of the deadly coronavirus, the Chinese government has turned to the use of drones to scold unmasked people. As of February, 20 2020, the death toll has reached 2,118. This deadly virus originated in Wuhan, China, and has spread rapidly since then to more than 26 countries all over the world. To contain the virus within China, nearly half of the Chinese population is being kept under strict travel restrictions and even stricter hygiene rules.

In a Twitter video shared by Global Times, the police-operated drones narrow down unmasked citizens and reprimand them for being careless. The video shows an incident from Inner Mongolia, China, where a confused woman is looking up towards the drone. The policeman on the other end insists that she go home to get her mask and to wash her hands. Another incident shows a man who is trying to shovel snow, with the policeman saying, “We are in unusual times. Why did you come out without wearing a mask?” Given the deadly nature of coronavirus and the fact that it is spreading rapidly, these comments lie on the border of justifiable sarcasm. These drones are well equipped with cameras and speakers to make sure that the citizens know that they are always being watched.

The Chinese government has been using bird-like drones to narrow down fugitives and to monitor students. These robotic machines can mimic live birds up to 90 per cent accuracy. In fact, they are so life-like that even real birds cannot distinguish the artificial ones from the real ones.

These efforts are now being redirected towards containing the coronavirus, especially in the Chinese rural areas where communication of good hygiene is very difficult. The video posted by Global Times is just one of the many that have gone viral on social media. Around the country, drones are being used to spray disinfectant in cities and villages to make sure that people who are travelling to affected areas do not bring it back home.

In addition to these efforts, the government has also completely quarantined Wuhan and its 11-million population. Citizens entering and leaving certain areas are supposed to go through temperature checks as well. In some cities, only one family member is allowed outside once every two days to shop for food and other necessities.