In This Coronavirus Wave, China Tries Something New: Restraint

At an apartment complex in southern Beijing that is under lockdown, residents could not leave their homes in a gated cluster of low-rise brick buildings. Uniformed security guards and medical workers in protective gear watched the gate.

The brunt of the government’s measures has been borne by food traders at markets that were sealed off after cases were found, and by the residents of more than four dozen apartment complexes placed under lockdown. But in many other Beijing neighborhoods, the shops, restaurants and even hair salons are still operating. Traffic is a little lighter than usual, but plenty of cars are still on the road. City sidewalks remain busy.

“You cannot expect people to accept the pain for too long,” said Yanzhong Huang, a senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations who has closely followed China’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. “Because then you have unemployment problems and even emotional stresses that could all have huge implications for social and political stability.”

China’s top leader, Xi Jinping, has not publicly discussed Beijing’s outbreak. But he had called repeatedly this spring for a “people’s war,” or all-out mobilization, to stamp out the coronavirus. Story continuesKey to the government’s containment strategy is aggressive testing and contact tracing. The government set up testing stations at hospitals, park entrances, stadiums and community centers, taking and processing swabs from 1.1 million people in less than a week.

“That sends a signal to local officials,” said Huang, of the Council on Foreign Relations. “Even if you were told to accelerate the reopening, still the top priority is keeping the number at zero, and that can be mission impossible.”

Source: Healthcare Press (healthcarepress.net)

Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Cricket: Former Bangladesh skipper Mortaza tests positive for coronavirusFormer Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza said on Saturday he had tested positive for the new coronavirus.
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Indonesia's COVID-19 death toll reaches 2500, with over 46,000 infectionsIndonesia reported 954 new coronavirus infections on Monday, taking its total number of cases to 46,845.
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Mainland China reports 26 new COVID-19 cases including 22 in BeijingMainland China reported on Sunday 26 new confirmed coronavirus cases for June 20, down from 27 a day earlier, driven largely by the latest ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Australia fears second wave as Victoria state tightens coronavirus controlsCANBERRA (BLOOMBERG) - Australia's second-most populous state has tightened coronavirus controls as a spike in cases triggers fears the nation could be hit by a second wave of infections.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »

South Korea says for first time it is battling 'second wave' of coronavirusSEOUL (REUTERS) - Health authorities in South Korea said for the first time on Monday (June 22) it is in the midst of a 'second wave' of coronavirus infections stemming from a holiday in May, as new cases hovered in the low double digits.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »

South Korea says it is battling 'second wave' of coronavirusHealth authorities in South Korea said for the first time on Monday it is in the midst of a 'second wave' of novel coronavirus infections stemming ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »