China reduces COVID-19 case number reporting as virus surges
NPR Online News
After Easing 'Zero-COVID,' Cases Soar in Beijing
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Image copyright: Stringer/Bloomberg/Getty Images [via CNN]
The Facts
COVID cases are reportedly skyrocketing in Beijing after the city eased its highly restrictive “zero-Covid” policies. Across the city, there are reportedly scenes of empty streets and shops but this is reportedly due to disruption caused by soaring infections, and not policies regarding lockdowns or quarantines.
China’s National Health Commission (NHC) says it has become “impossible” to track the exact number of COVID cases after rolling back mandatory testing. The NHC has also stopped keeping track of asymptomatic cases.
The Spin
Anti-China narrative
Pres. Xi Jinping’s handling of the COVID pandemic is an unmitigated disaster, and the devastating fallout rests squarely on his shoulders. Xi’s extended lockdowns wreaked irreparable harm on his country’s economy and the mental health of PRC citizens. His new policies are now causing an exponentiating mass infection and public health crisis — this is dangerous for China and the entire world.
Pro-China narrative
Can the West show just a bit of appreciation for China's COVID policies? Zero-COVID contained widespread outbreaks that could have crippled China and global supply chains. Now, with better tools, the PRC's thoughtful re-opening is also giving a boost in the arm to the weary global economy. What isn't covered in Western media outlets are movie tickets being eagerly snapped up by China's residents and the excitement of Lunar New Year travels. Beijing's policies have benefited the nation and the world.
