Shops and restaurants in Beijing are deserted as the country awaits a spike in infections following the decision to reduce the scope of mandatory testing, allow some positive cases to quarantine at home and end large-scale lockdowns.
Top epidemiologist Zhong Nanshan told state media in an interview published Sunday that the Omicron strain of the virus prevalent in China was highly transmissible and could lead to a surge in cases. Zhong — a leading advisor to the government throughout the pandemic, said:
"The (current) Omicron mutation... is very contagious... one person can transmit to 22 people. Currently, the epidemic in China is... spreading rapidly, and under such circumstances, no matter how strong the prevention and control is, it will be difficult to completely cut off the transmission chain."The easing of China's so-called "zero-Covid" policy followed nationwide protests against harsh virus rules that had battered the economy and confined millions to their homes. But the country is now facing a surge of cases it is ill-prepared to handle, with millions of elderly still not fully vaccinated and underfunded hospitals lacking the capacity to take on huge numbers of patients.
The country has one intensive care unit bed for 10,000 people, Jiao Yahui, director of the Department of Medical Affairs at the National Health Commission, warned Friday. She said 106,000 doctors and 177,700 nurses will be redirected to intensive care units to cope with the spike in coronavirus patients, but did not offer details on how this would affect the health system's ability to treat other diseases.
'I'm afraid to step out'
Long lines sprung up outside pharmacies in Beijing on Sunday as residents rushed to stockpile cold and fever medicines and antigen test kits. Some told AFP they were ordering drugs from pharmacies in nearby cities.
"I've asked my family in Shijiazhuang to courier fever medicine because nearby pharmacies don't have stocks," said Julie Jiang, a Beijing resident.
Dozens of restaurants and small businesses in Beijing put up signs saying they were "temporarily closed", without offering details. Several major online grocery and food delivery platforms including Meituan, Fresh Hippo and Ding Dong were struggling to operate in Beijing without enough delivery drivers.
Liu Cheng, a mother of two young children living in central Beijing's Jianguomen area said:
"I'm afraid to step out. Many of my friends with Covid symptoms have tested positive when self testing, but they haven't reported this to the authorities or gone to the hospital."Official caseloads in China have dropped sharply in the wake of the government's decision to scrap routine mass testing, with only special groups including healthcare workers and delivery drivers exempt from the rules.
Reader Comments
I suspect the latter, but I wonder if it is only in show, and in reality, they are stewing with some animosity towards authoritarians pushed one button too many? Cause, while being an obedient citizen has its value, it is dependent upon leaders who have your interests at heart, and above and beyond that, it seems it also depends upon willingness to sacrifice personal liberty for the sake of others.
At what time does that equation flip on its head?
It could literally happen in a moment on the wings of a butterfly - not kidding around.
BK
Nudge units move segments of worthlessness (according to technocrat calculations) towards cliffs for disposal...
Fear of being useless to authority I conjecture needs to run its course first. Because if one's slave phone always gives one a green score (economic and social) then one is likely not worried or concerned.
So unfortunately need to get a bit further in to the process(I am thinking)... More suffering that is obvious brings that moment. King John signed the Magna Carta because the top 10% was losing all their property to the bankers. The "authorities" will try very hard to keep the top 10% happy. Only if the globalists slip up and go to fast would there be an opening to the "flip". And the the globalists are well aware.
Peace,
Ken
...chuckle... 22 ? A number picked out of a hat if there ever was one. Why 22 ? That must have been an interesting study to complete. Does the virus get tired and can't ''transmit'' anymore after the 22nd victim ? Oh oh I know; the virus was programmed to shut down the transmitting of infectious tidbits after the 22nd. Naw, at the 22nd transmission the immune system, who's already aware of the virus' shenanigans due to a sophisticated surveillance system sent a bunch of goons and summoned it to stop it's operations or else.
How stupid do they think we are ?
You can catch Covid and get well. Yes...it's called "the human immune system." The survival stats for below 70 years of age with no comorbidities is 99+%!! Yes! I guess Xi forget to tell you.
Just be thankful that you're not in the U.S. where you would be automatically intubated and given Remdesivir which rots out your kidneys. Then, my dear Chinese friend, you're in real trouble.
The Chinese Authorities turned everyone into SUPERCHARGED Covid carriers by having their entire population jabbed, now the authorities are blaming the population for spreading it by virtue of exercising their rights of freedom, what Psychopathic Bastards the Authorities are.
Perhaps Xi has come to the realization that he was playing into their hands. Time will tell, I guess.