Looking back, his decision to show up in person and visit with doctors and nurses probably accomplished what he intended: it gave the Chinese people hope that the leadership had not forgotten them, and that while the quarantine measures might seem draconian and overly punitive at times, the Communist Party would continue to do what it feels it must to maintain social order and protect the Chinese people.

One month later, President Xi is making his second major public visit since the outbreak began in late December. This time, he's traveling to Wuhan - the epicenter of the outbreak - in what appears to be a "Mission Accomplished" moment for the leader of the world's largest country in its battle against the novel coronavirus and Covid-19.