Epidemic prevention and control is a massive social governance undertaking. This article begins with a review of the lessons drawn from fighting COVID-19 as well as experiences of national governance in and outside China amid the pandemic. It highlights issues related to public policy and the role of social work. Learning from experiences and lessons at home and abroad is advocated to turn such a crisis into an opportunity. The improvement of social governance is explored with reflection on strategic and reformist thinking. It’s argued that seeking truth from facts is the only way to truly recognize national conditions, develop the nation’s strengths, and make up for its disadvantages. The study of general public policy (GPP) offers the theoretical acumen for balanced and people-centered development strategy. And the systems framework in policy analysis with a “problem-GPP-ism” triple prism to grip its essence should help to break through the limits of the age-old “problem vs. -ism” paradigm in twentieth century China.