After the unprecedented protests in China against the corona policy, the Chinese government is now loosening the reins. It is an example of how “shocked” the Chinese government is by the demonstrations, thinks sinologist and owner of the China Circle, Ardi Bouwers. “It has apparently been calculated that this is worth the risk, because I think they were shocked by all the demonstrations.”
Bouwers is surprised at “how much more flexible the measures in China are now”. “It was Covid-zero, but he has just been let go now. I am convinced that now even Chinese leaders know that protesting works. That signal, which demonstrations can do, has been completely in the background for decades. Now there is an entire generation that knows that it makes sense to take to the streets.’
Less rigid policy
After almost three years of an extremely strict policy against the coronavirus, the Chinese government decided on Wednesday to be more flexible with the corona virus. Anyone who has corona but has no or only mild symptoms can now be isolated at home. Additionally, people need to get tested less often, and a negative test will be mandatory in fewer locations.
The question is whether the corona virus will now flare up considerably now that the rules are becoming less strict. “Hardly anyone got sick and hardly any immunity was built within the population. Everyone in China is therefore preparing. Medicines and protective equipment are purchased. You also notice some panic. What will happen if many seriously ill people arrive now and the hospitals can be flooded?’
“People are still afraid”
However, the Chinese are unlikely to change their behavior much. This is mainly due to how seriously China has taken the virus and is still taking it. “I saw images of a university in China where people were packing up and leaving in the middle of the night. In the beginning the story said that people were sent home because it was better that way. But this has been corrected. It turned out that it wasn’t the students who were ordered to leave, but someone was said to have the corona, so people decided to leave. This shows how scared these people are of the disease.”
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
