[Correspondent Diary] In China, 630,000 Daily Cases If US-Style Quarantine Is Implemented

With-Corona is a Wrong Policy... Should Be Introduced When Vaccines and Treatments Can Be Used Together
Zhong Nanshan, While Concerned About Omicron, Says "In China, Individual Life and Health Rights Are More Important Than Personal Freedom"

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] To enter Beijing, the capital of China, from overseas, a '3+1 week' quarantine is required. You must undergo 3 weeks of concentrated quarantine in the outskirts of Beijing or nearby cities, followed by 1 week of observation quarantine.

Photo by Pengpai Capture

Strengthened quarantine measures have been implemented not only for foreigners coming from abroad but also for Chinese residents living in Beijing or nearby cities. Since the 17th, all people entering Beijing from other regions must submit a negative nucleic acid test (PCR) certificate conducted within 48 hours before arrival. Residents of 51 counties in 7 provinces, including Jilin Province, where COVID-19 outbreaks have occurred, are prohibited from entering Beijing.

For the Beijing Winter Olympics scheduled for February next year, Chinese health authorities have raised the COVID-19 prevention level to the highest stage. China takes pride in the prevention method they developed (this deep pride seems to be rooted in trauma related to Wuhan).

The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a weekly report titled "On Coexistence with COVID-19: Assumptions and Perspectives," reflecting this pride. The core of this report is that the American-style COVID-19 prevention and control method is flawed. The American-style prevention and control method means 'With COVID' (gradual return to normal life).

The report estimated that if China adopted the American-style COVID-19 prevention and control method, up to 630,000 people would be confirmed positive daily. It also warned that 10,000 critically ill patients would occur daily, causing a disaster that would paralyze China's medical system.

The report increased its credibility by referencing and analyzing statistics from countries that implemented 'With COVID,' such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, Spain, and France. It pointed out that Western countries like the U.S. relied solely on the hypothesis of forming herd immunity through vaccination. The report added that 'With COVID' is only possible when vaccination and treatment (therapeutics) can be combined.

Zhong Nanshan, China's top respiratory disease expert and academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, also supported the report's findings.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

On the 27th, Zhong attended the China Internet Media Forum held in Guangzhou and said, "Some Western countries place great importance on individual freedoms such as the freedom not to wear masks, the freedom to assemble, and the freedom to refuse vaccines," but "the result leads to the spread of infections and deaths."

He seemed aware of criticism regarding China's quarantine methods infringing on individual freedoms and emphasized, "China pays more attention to the highest human rights, namely the right to life and health." He added, "To prevent the spread of the virus, people must wear masks, cooperate with nucleic acid testing, and voluntarily limit their activities."

Zhong also expressed concerns about the Omicron variant. He warned, "The newly discovered Omicron variant may cause more difficulties in preventing and controlling the COVID-19 pandemic." He emphasized that the current effective method to stop the virus spread is vaccination.

Chinese state media such as Xinhua News Agency and Global Times reported that Omicron has caused significant declines in stock markets of Western countries like the U.S., the U.K., Germany, and France, creating global turmoil, but China, equipped with its own prevention and control system, can protect the Chinese people from the new variant. They also reported that the possibility of the new variant spreading during the Beijing Winter Olympics is low.