We’ll have to learn to get along with rumor, especially in the Internet age. A little practice will do and we will be immune. Rumor has been a fact of human society since language was invented. Rumor is merely opinion held by more than one person.
Five million people living out in the open is probably not good, but they are within reach of emergency food and water now and out of danger if a dam should let go, and it is not winter. Will take a while to clean this up and rebuild and not cheap. Understand some Russians and Indians are in there now helping in whatever way they can.
While JackRussell is justified in being wary, I have found, through relatives and friends in both Hong Kong and Shanghai, that most of the Chinese who get into forums like FR are seeking information (we had several young folks from Shanghai). Communication has been poor to non-existent and stories in official media are often suspect.
Most of them try to be apoilitical because we all know what happens when you step on the Chinese government toes.
As to the teams participating in rescue, even Japanese and Taiwanese teams have been welcomed. I’m not sure if the readers here can understand the meaning of “face.” But to have former or current enemies (ideological or territorial) like India, Japan, Russia and Taiwan helping you out means there are Maoists spinning in their graves - a very good thing!
We wish the best for the folks of Sichuan province. May the good Lord bless them and keep them. Like you, I don’t think they’re out of the water (literally and figuratively) yet.