Lessons livestreamed

Many universities and other academic institutions have been livestreaming lessons, while video apps, such as Bilibili, Kuaishou and Douyin, plan to offer a range of classes to the public.

From Feb 3 to 7, Tsinghua University livestreamed five open classes on Douyin, covering international relations, public speaking, traditional culture, interpersonal relations and dance appreciation.

An open lecture given on Feb 5 by Yan Xuetong, director of The Institute of International Studies at Tsinghua University, attracted about 160,000 viewers. Since the novel coronavirus outbreak, Yan has analyzed reaction from the international community.

On Feb 5, Peking University launched open classes on Douyin and Bilbili.

Coronavirus-related searches and hashtags have topped trending lists on Douyin and Kuaishou. Both apps have launched channels devoted to virus-related news, live updates and expert analysis.

Xie Bin, an expert at the Shanghai Mental Health Center, suggested that people should avoid searching for information about the virus, which could increase their anxiety levels.