The Point: New stage in China's COVID-19 fight

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China took further steps to ease its COVID-19 restrictions by introducing 10 new guidelines on December 7. The new rules stipulate that nucleic acid tests are no longer mandatory to, for example, enter malls, or travel across cities. And those who test positive for COVID-19 with mild or no symptoms are allowed to quarantine at home. How do we understand the new policy? Will China see a surge in cases? How should people overcome their fear of getting COVID-19?

Guest:
Dr. Li Guangxi
Member of China's State Council Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism

[jaketan]

The Omicron surge in china started when some of the people in Hongkong crosses to some parts of china without conducting COVID test. Then some people in Shanghai who was an overseas returnees doesn't follow the COVID rules by scanning their health codes and disobeying all the necessary rules in order to prevent the COVID surge

[barrywong]

China should be applauded for adjusting their policy in a responsible manner without taking unnecessary risks. This is not the time to second guess whether China should have relaxed their policy earlier. The fact of the matter is that the policy has kept mortality rate to a minimum up to this point. There is no need to apologize for saving lives. Lives lost can never be recovered. Once gone they are gone. Economic output, on the other hand, can be recovered over time. It’s better to err on the side of caution.

It sounds to me that Chinese scientists and experts have done their homework by analyzing and observing the covid progression in China as well as other countries. This professor seems to be very confident about the next phase of their policy. Best wishes to China and their people.

Kudos to the hostess for asking some tough questions. No alcohol please :-).

[EddyKCWong]

I believe the covid virus infection currently is very mild and much less of a concern..in China the percentage of infected people is very much less compare to that in Singapore and Malaysia. People movement and business is as usual..as long the mask is used in train and bus, and crowded malls. The most concerned problem now are the side effects of mRNA vaccines produced by the western countries.

[jaketan]

The people who get severe COVID 19 was mostly the elderly with health conditions. 3 yes of zero COVID policy which most Chinese people doesn't follow some of the simple rules . Now is the time to optimize the COVID rules in order to teach the people that it was their responsibility to take good care to their self.

[jaketan]

COVID surge in Shanghai started on Shanghai amusement parks which of course comes from many overseas returnees who visited the parks. The COVID surge in Guangzhou comes from the people who crosses illegally from Hongkong during the peak of Omicron surge in hongkong

[anupamsircar]

It's high time that China lifted all COVID restrictions. Many countries have already done that. It's better to live with COVID than to die of isolation.

[latiffabdul]

If it's true that the rate of severity is less than flu, then there's really nothing to worry about. Perhaps its not so much the effect of the virus itself but more the psychological fear of virus that is needed to be overcome now.

[catonpillow]

The new stage of the fight is less fight. Which means more cases. It is what it is, since all of the rest of the world stopped fighting, Сhina cannot fight on its own. So COVID is here to stay and, unfortunately, that's the only way forward.

[RaymondLi]

I'm just musing... I think 🇨🇳 elders will step up and take their shots 🙏

[stephenlock]

While it is a good thing for a more relaxed management method has been adopted for controlling the disease, the general population should be wise enough to take personal responsibility to avoid contacting and spreading the disease by doing the basics. Wear a mask, esp when in a public space. Avoid crowds and self quarantine when feeling unwell.

[alantan]

I guess no mandatory test is a way to combat test fraud. The reason why people want to falsify test is:
1. Skip class/work
2. Get allowance to buy medical equipment and etc(and collect commission in return)

[jaketan]

The Omicron virus in china have low pathogens. The scientists and virus epidemiology in china was studying that which not an ordinary people can understand. As long as the Omicron variant from the US doesn't enter to china, Omicron surge in china will lessen.

[amaly_butter]

Your life is not a problem to be solved but a gift to be opened.

Good night everyone 😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴 forever 💟♾️

[gohsiewhau]

Build your immune system, strengthen the immune system. Balance ying-yang n diet, enough rest n sun, healthy emotion n lifestyle😍❤️🙏