It seems China's handling Covid rather well. The key to that, lies, I suppose. in its people's discipline.
We all know that without discipline nothing good and lasting can be achieved ; not in schools, not in the army, not at work...nowhere.
The disciplined population, helps China successfully practice the strategy of zero tolerance towards the virus.
This strategy includes: mass testing, quarantine, surveillance, localized lock-downs, and more. A sporadic outbreak is immediately dealt with lock-down to prevent further spreading of the virus. China' s trying to achieve zero infection while elsewhere, in the Western world, people are getting used 'to live with the virus', vaccines and boosters.
(The Chinese are not too confident about the effectiveness of the vaccines to prevent infection. They believe, as we do, vaccinated people might still contract covid, but perhaps won't have to go to hospital).
The zero tolerance policy is also part of the Chinese narrative to claim superiority of their system (political, medical, social etc...) over the West. They would like us to believe through the pandemic that China could "conquer" the West with no tanks, rockets, or the nuke - but with a tiny virus.
After all, the virus started its 'activity' in one of China's towns, Wuhan, and according to one of the theories - in the town's laboratory - specialized in coronas, and which belongs to the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The lab, a 40 minutes drive from the Huan Market where the first infection was spotted, could have been engaged in a possible testing of a biological weapon . So who knows?!
It does seem plausible it came from the lab, financed by the same people telling us what to do now.
ReplyDeleteYes, it does seem plausible there was a leak from the lab. One of the reasons - that no virus was found on bats in the area. (When it all started the 'blame' was on bats).
DeleteFrom watching so many Chinese Dramas it seems they have always been around viruses and poisons for centuries. So, I guess they would know how to handle it. Of course, now this outbreak has become so political. Especially, in America. Conspiracies forming from so many places. With woes of the expense of testing, or just finding a test. Questioning should you be tested or not to be tested? And at the center of it, we are still expected to make it on time to work and take measures not to spread the virus. Let's hope China can pull off the winter Olympics without a spread of the virus.
DeleteThe Winter Olympics are of a great concern to the Chinese`, so, they feel pressed 'to clean the area on time.
DeleteIndeed, the pandemic has become more of a political issue than the Health care one.
Here in America it is clear what's more important..life must go on. Still, so many shortages in the work place. And those I know who are getting over COVID are asked to comeback too soon.
Delete"Life must go on" is the motto here too.
DeleteShortage is going to be dominant in every field: workers, supplies, money. We're not yet aware of that, as we're deeply concerned about the health aspects of the pandemic.
And the local politics keep coming over the mask mandate. They even want to fire the new person who is in charge of the health department here because she wants the mask mandate in place but our gov. doesn't...and neither does the mayor. Every business I go to they have a sign pleading you to wear a mask, and I do. Not that I go to many places.
DeleteMask not mandatory? - that's almost criminal. The mask is the very first essential measure against the virus. I even wear two, as I've got the simple surgery masks; there are better masks on the market but not available in my vicinity.
DeleteI heard a new variant was found in France. I can't see zero tolerance working here in the states. Supposedly there is zero tolerance for bullying in schools but there still is a lot of bullying that goes on.
ReplyDeletebetty
Zero tolerance ,probably won't work in the States or in part of Europe; there's no discipline there. People protest and refuse to follow restriction rules, and/or wearing masks
DeleteI don't mind to get vaccinated each month if it makes them happy its all a question of money making ! I am just sitting here in the vaccination center, I have got the "booster" !!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the booster, Gattina!
DeleteWe, elderly people are more willing to accept medical intervention than the younger ones, not without reason.
Vaccination is interference in one's immunity system and it shouldn't be taken lightly, especially by the young people. It produces antibodies to deal with the virus in an emergency, but we know nothing about long term effects on the heart and brain.
It's abov all sad for the young generation they have already lost 2 years of their lives, we have made travels, friends, lived and have memories, they have nothing yet. You know when the Polyio killed so many children, it was decided to vaccinate all children, I was ten. My parents didn't know what was in the vacccine the most important thing was that I didn't get the polio.
DeleteI don't remember myself getting the Polio vaccine, but I do remember carrying a sachet with garlic around my neck, believed to combat the virus. Everyday we use to hear about another case of a child with Polio ; terrible times!
DeleteInteresting thoughts
ReplyDeleteThank you, Christine. Moreover, they are relevant to what we're going through these days.
DeleteInteresting post as always. I don't know if I believe myself that this was testing of biological warfare however...I don't discount it either. You are correct that the U.S. will never except zero tolerance, we can't agree on which way a roll of toilet paper should roll, let alone more important things. I read some of the comments and I'm agree that we older folks are definitely more willing to take the vaccines/booster shots. I know I've had 3 by now and I still socially distance and I still wear my mask. Great post DUTA
ReplyDeleteThanks Alicia, for your always kind remarks.
DeleteIt's important to investigate the origin of the virus. The UN World Health experts visited Wuhan do do just that, but so far, nothing conclusive. It takes time.
Anyway, the lab leak theory is not ruled out. In fact, all hypotheses remain on the table.
So many rumours and speculation. I doubt we shall never know, due to China's secrecy.
ReplyDeleteWe shall have to cope.
Right. China won't cooperate. All speculations are 'on the table' and examined by UN health experts. Time might reveal the source of the virus.
DeleteLet's hope covid will go away by itself, without any intervention.
We all want to know the truth concerning the origin of the virus but there are so many false reports that it is difficult to distinguish between the truth and lies. Every where people are suffering and struggling to stay alive. Hope this New Year will be better than last 2 years.
ReplyDeleteIndeed; so far we don't know the truth as there are many theories and it takes time and vast knowledge to discover it.
DeleteHopefully, the virus will leave us during this year and let us go back to normal life.
We know that both SARS and MERS come from bats, so there is no reason to invoke a laboratory accident.
ReplyDeleteThe current scientific consensus is that the virus occurred naturally, not through bioengineering.
Read more: https://www.newscientist.com/definition/coronavirus-come-lab/#ixzz7HHMJ8FEZ
Sars was also first detected in China. Its middle-eastern version, Mers, was detected in Saudi Arabia and people were warned of exposure to camels.
DeleteAnyway,it is suspected that there is animal origin for the coronas, but nothing is known for sure.
Going "back to normal"... will it happen?
ReplyDeleteI'm just tired of all of this like everybody else.
ן feel tired too. Nobody knows what will happen. I'm afraid it's going to be a different 'normal' - one based on a bad Economy with shortage and poverty, inequality and violence. May God Help us!
DeleteMy father many years ago (when I was a child) warned me there was no point having a nuclear bunker, no point hiding, the next world war would be viral... looks like China were thinking about all this while we were asleep.
ReplyDeleteYour father - a very clever man,
DeleteBetty, capable of seeing things ahead.
Next World War could definitely be a viral war. May God protect us!
It will be interesting to see what happens in future with china and if they can keep covid 0. I miss covid 0, haha! We had it for so long here in Queensland, Australia, but now that over 80% of us are double vaccinated they decided to stop the border restrictions so people can come into our state without having to do 2 weeks quarantine. We now have over 10,000 cases daily and it just keeps climbing. They only opened it up in December! I'll feel better once my kids get vaccinated next week, they aren't eligible till then sadly :(
ReplyDeleteHope that you are having a great weekend! :)
Away From The Blue
Lifting of restrictions leads to a rise in cases everywhere. I hope your kids wear masks which are a good means against getting infected with the virus. Vaccines prevent the disease from developing or turning dangerous for those who got it in the first place..
DeleteIt's all over the place in the States right now. 3 of us have it right now.
ReplyDeleteSadly, it's everywhere, and we don't see the light at the end of the tunnel.
DeleteWishing you, daughter and grandson - a speedy recovery!
The only thing we can do at the moment is pray to God, make each day as tranquil as we can and refuse to listen to all the lies which are being shouted from the roof tops in all countries of the world. Be at peace, Duta. Vx
ReplyDeleteAgreed, Vera. Praying to God - that's exactly what I do. I trust only HIM, nobody else. Only God can protect us and make the virus harmless.
DeleteWishing you the very Best in the new year!
Hola, amiga Duta. Como bien tu dices, en tu interesante reflexión, y con la que estoy totalmente de acuerdo: ¿Quién sabe?...
ReplyDeletePor lo que tan solo hoy, me gustaría decir, que mientras ellos se someten y acatan disciplinadamente las medidas medico-políticas que les dan, en otros continentes, sobre todo en Europa y EE.UU., las gentes se manifiestan por las calles sin protección alguna, llevando como bandera el tema de las libertades y el derecho a decidir...
Por lo que me pregunto que ¿quien sabe? que es mejor, si lo uno, o lo otro.
Gracias, y te envío un abrazo, desde Sevilla.
Who knows which is better , you ask, the Chinese discipline or the European protests for freedom.
DeleteWell, to answer that we must look at the overall situation and compare. In Europe and USA the state of things is catastrophic.
I'm not for restrictions ; I'm for individual's rights and freedom, and yet.. I'm very much for wearing masks, and keeping distance as basic measures, even while protesting.
Wishing you the very Best in the new year!
The US is a weak, self indulgent country and no one is talking about how the most vulnerable are supposed to live in a COVID world. This whole situation might have been prevented earlier on.
ReplyDeleteRight. It doesn't seem Covid is at the top of their agenda now, as they're busy with a possible intervention in the Ukrainian - Russian conflict.
DeleteVery interesting info. Yes, things are a mess all over, but I keep hearing that they feel the omicron will help more people be resistant. I hope that true.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mari.
DeleteWell, we have to look for hope in everything , even in the omicron variant. Hope And Faith are two things we should never lose.
i think in China people obey the goverment and they try to take precautions against virus. I think in all countries goverment should annouce that vaccination is necessary not voluntary
ReplyDeleteYes, in China they obey the orders and instructions. Not so in the West, where restrictions are considered a violation of human rights.
DeleteWe are definitely living the new "normal" now, Duta. Like others have commented, we have always been accustomed to getting vaccinations, etc, when advised to do so and perhaps that is due to our age as seniors. Also, my husband is a veteran and when he served there was no debate on what to accept or not. Too many choices can lead to much indecision.
ReplyDeleteLast sentence of your comment is wise and exactly reflects our reality.
Delete"So who knows?!"
ReplyDelete... and will we ever know?
Take care, stay safe and well.
All the best Jan
Will we ever know? That's the big question. Knowing is important, as it helps solving problems.
Delete