In dealing with the COVID-19 virus, East-Asian countries such as Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea continue to win global praise. Whereas the success of these countries is frequently ascribed to decisive government action, effective contact tracing, good risk communication and civic compliance, the contribution of citizen science and related grassroots initiatives in tackling the pandemic remains largely obscured or is even wilfully ignored. This essay considers what can be learned from these initiatives, and how they can inform public policy, scientific research, decision making and public engagement with technology both in East Asia and in the West. The emergence of citizen projects in these regions is revealing of the possibilities and limitations of democratic civic participation in politically volatile and uncertain pandemic times.