China beat the coronavirus with science and strong public health measures, not just with

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

authoritarianism

Elanah Uretsky, Associate Professor of International and Global Studies, Brandeis University

I live in a democracy. But as Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself longing for the type of freedom I am seeing in China.

People in China are able to move around freely right now. Many Americans may believe that the Chinese are able to enjoy this freedom because of China’s authoritarian regime. As a scholar of public health in China, I think the answers go beyond that.

My research suggests that the control of the virus in China is not the result of authoritarian policy, but of a national prioritization of health. China learned a tough lesson with SARS, the first coronavirus pandemic of the 21st century.

How China flattened its curve

Barely less than a year ago, a novel coronavirus emerged in Wuhan, China, with 80,000 cases identified within three months, killing 3,000 people.

In late January 2020, the Chinese government decided to lock down this city of 11 million people. All transportation to and from the city was stopped. Officials further locked down several other cities in Hubei Province, eventually quarantining over 50 million people.

By the beginning of April, the Chinese government limited the spread of the virus to the point where they felt comfortable opening up Wuhan once again.

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https://www.yahoo.com/news/china-beat-coronavirus-science-strong-132000845.html

[dugog55]

1. Hah, a lock down?

It has proven impossible to get some Americans to even wear a mask. We in no way have come near "lock down" status. We also had zero national guidance on how to handle the situation, other than it will magically disappear, "like a miracle". Maybe in New York it was stricter, but in WesternPA we could pretty much live our normal life sans restaurants and bars. Big deal. These jerks around here act like they have been in solitary confinement for a decade. Once Governor Wolfe loosened things up a bit, bars were crowded and people were going out to eat again. Most restaurants have spaced out tables and limited capacity, but I still do not think that is safe enough for me to take a chance. I like eating out, especially breakfasts, but have not been out since early March.

Until we get a vaccine, America will be held hostage by the non-maskers and covid hoax believers. And I am not sure what will happen after the vaccine starts getting distributed. I am sure there will be plenty of anti-vaxxers that will help screw up nationwide recovery and we will still be seeing outbreaks of Covid for a couple of years.

I have empathy for anyone that works in the health care industry. Their job has been made miserable by the lowest common denominators in our society.