This is why China’s zero Covid strategy flops (except for the CCP)
The lockdown in Shanghai that had been going on for two months has ended in almost all the districts but the infections have not disappeared and the aftermath of the zero Covid strategy will continue to be felt for a long time in China. Facts, comments and forecasts on the economic, health and psychological impact
The return to normal for Shanghai was a huge celebration on the streets of China's financial center. After about two months of lockdown due to the strong spread of an Omicron variant, on May 31 the heavy restrictions imposed to contain the virus and put into practice the zero Covid strategy were almost completely eliminated.
But Covid, although borders can be closed and people at home, in addition to not knowing borders, does not even bow to the Beijing regime and after only 24 hours of reopening, infections have been recorded, causing some districts to fall back into forty.
THE END OF LOCKDOWN
About two months after the beginning of the restrictions that have restricted commercial activities and blocked residents (with important repercussions on the Chinese economy and the world), the Shanghai authorities, on May 31, said they would remove further restrictions. to return to normal.
The end of the lockdown, at least for residents in areas deemed low-risk, 22 million people out of 25 total, has led to witnessing scenes comparable for us probably only to those seen for the victory of the soccer World Cup.
As the video from South China Morning Post shows, rivers of people poured into the streets and airports to breathe freedom again.
COVID DOES NOT DISAPPEAR ON COMMAND
The end of the lockdown, however, does not mean the end of Covid. As early as June 1, the Shanghai health authorities reported 7 locally transmitted infections , 3 of which presented symptoms. All 26 close contacts of infected patients were quarantined and 21 tested negative.
THE EFFECTS OF THE ZERO COVID STRATEGY ON THE ECONOMY
It is now a shared opinion that the zero Covid strategy adopted by China to eradicate the virus – and not only – does not pay either in terms of public health or economic.
Harsh restrictions have hit businesses in Shanghai's manufacturing and trading hub, not to mention worsening supply chain slowdowns and, therefore, effects on the global economy.
Now, even though most of the restrictions have been lifted, experts have warned that the impact of the blockade will continue to have ripple effects around the world.
Ioana Kraft, general manager of the Shanghai Chapter at the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, said the port's logistical problems were a key factor in the supply chain hitches.
Shanghai is home to the busiest port in the world and deals with around 20% of Chinese exports. According to Project44, a supply chain data tracking database, the port experienced a 175% increase in container idle time between March and April, meaning ships waited longer to load and then to reach your destination.
He now predicts that "the situation will remain critical for some time."
INVESTMENT RISKS
Reuters also reported that according to the US Chamber of Commerce there could be long-term consequences on foreign investment due to travel restrictions that will hinder the projects.
“58% of our members have already reduced their revenue forecasts for 2022, while 61% have experienced supply chain disruptions due to transportation and shipping issues. Most worryingly, members don't see any light at the end of the tunnel, ” said Colm Rafferty, president of the US Chamber of Commerce in China.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE INHUMAN ZERO COVID STRATEGY
But if the infections resume and the economy abruptly slows down, the psychological effects on people are no less.
Indeed, while the regime's media outlets point out that China's financial heartland has defeated the virus thanks to Party leadership, Shanghai residents are grappling with the traumas of their experience: from loss of income, to loss of freedom, to the death of friends and relatives, to starvation.
Many, writes Reuters , have struggled to buy food or medicine. Hundreds of thousands of people have been sent to crowded quarantine centers, sometimes dragged away by the police against their will. Many people have died because they were unable to access essential medical care.
During the first days of the lockdown, the children were separated from their mothers, until a public outcry prompted the authorities to review the policy. Others, the agency continues, woke up to find their doors barred by fences. A dog was beaten to death after its owner tested positive.
While for one part of the CCP this is a victory and excellent handling of the pandemic, many of the people who have emerged from isolation have described a sense of apprehension and concern for the future, disillusionment and anger towards the authorities.
"I feel that people's trust in the government has collapsed and a lot of amazing things have happened," a witness told Reuters . And he added: "Too much has been lost and now we fear it will happen again."
This is a machine translation from Italian language of a post published on Start Magazine at the URL https://www.startmag.it/sanita/ecco-perche-strategia-zero-covid-cina-fallito-tranne-che-per-il-pcc/ on Fri, 03 Jun 2022 08:42:03 +0000.