Coronavirus 2019-2020 thread (no unsubstantiated rumours!)
- Thread starter localizer
- Start date
What's everyone's favourite theory on these excess deaths? I always thought it was untested covid + long covid.
Interesting article that claims Beijing did not intend to open up immediately, instead opting for a gradual change from Zero-Covid. Hower, local governments decided to rush and open up completely without preparation.
"Facing conflicted implementation among jurisdictions, Beijing sent additional signals to clarify the confusion. On December 7, the State Council released the “New Ten Points,” new guidelines for China’s COVID-19 policy. The central government’s original intention was to return to the “precision COVID containment” model of late 2020 and 2021 rather than ending the zero COVID policy altogether. The New Ten Points to crack down on extreme lockdowns, which had sparked the massive anti-zero COVID protests across China, by highlighting “scientific” and “precise” implementation. The State Council spokesperson that the policy shift does not mean China will “completely open up”; instead, the policy would change incrementally by “taking small steps.”
However, local officials did not implement the New Ten Points and opted to open up completely. The New Ten Points required local officials to draw high-risk areas based on buildings and households, but local officials stopped drawing high-risk areas altogether. It also required home quarantine for COVID-19 patients; however, local governments did not enforce this rule. As a result, people who tested positive can still travel to public places. Some local governments even required officials to work despite testing positive and suffering fevers and other symptoms.
The rushed opening-up did not come from Beijing; it resulted from local governments interpreting central government signals and getting ahead of Beijing regarding policy implementation."
Would recommend reading the whole article.
I think maybe less untested covid but long covid and a general decrease in the capability of the healthcare systems. We've just passed a period where the healthcare systems basically broke down and we're just cruising on the broken remnants put together with duct tape and glue.
"Accidentally"
I don't think any important policy changes in CPC China are an accident. The head of Guangdong Party secretary probably got approval to test removing lockdowns in Guangzhou during the 20th CPC party congress, the other local officials didn't see much resistance and soon followed. Shanghai was probably a test bed during last spring, but the opening failed. CPC didn't fault Li Qiang for it and even promoted him to #2 in command.
So are we heading towards the exit for China in terms of covid normal? Seems like we have left the peak behind and covid will just become a seasonal illness like it has in the rest of the world. Hopefully travel restrictions to and from China will be rescinded soon.