Ask HN: Local (Communist etc.) Party Infrastructure?

Can anyone describe how local party committees work(ed) in the USSR, China, Russia, wherever?

I would welcome anecdotes or references, but I draw a blank when I search (yes, Google sucks now and we should probably go back to reference librarians...) Especially: How have these committes been used to help China's pandemic response?

Rationale: Besides just being curious, I think the U.S. needs something to better organize the entire population, and I think the main models are the Church and the Communist party. Civil defense organizations? Bowling leagues? ??