WHO offers rare criticism for China's steadfast and strict COVID-19 measures | CBC News - Thompson Reuters:
May 10, 2022 - "The head of the World Health Organization [WHO] said on Tuesday China's zero-tolerance COVID-19 policy is not sustainable given what is known of the disease, in rare public comments by the United Nations agency on a government's handling of the virus. 'We don't think that it is sustainable considering the behaviour of the virus,' WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a media briefing.
"Speaking after Tedros, WHO emergencies director Mike Ryan said the impact of a 'zero-COVID' policy on human rights also needs to be taken into consideration alongside the effect on a country's economy. He also noted that China has registered 15,000 deaths since the virus first emerged in the city of Wuhan in late 2019 — a relatively low number compared with 999,475 in the United States and more than 500,000 in India. With that in mind, it is understandable that one of the world's most populous countries would want to take tough measures to curb coronavirus contagion, Ryan said.
"WHO guidelines have never recommended mass screening of asymptomatic individuals — as is currently happening in China — because of the costs involved and the lack of data on its effectiveness. China's zero-COVID-19 policy has drawn criticism ranging from scientists to its own citizens, leading to a cycle of lockdowns of many millions of people. Under the policy, authorities lock down large population areas to stamp out viral spread in response to any coronavirus outbreak, even if just a small number of people test positive.
"Shanghai, with a population of 25 million, was enduring its sixth week of a city-wide lockdown. Shanghai's measures have been particularly strict, with residents allowed out of compounds only for exceptional reasons, such as a medical emergency. Many are not even allowed out of their front doors to mingle with neighbours. Its quarantine policy has also been criticized for separating children from parents and putting asymptomatic cases among those with symptoms....
"China has been hampered by the fact its strict pandemic-long approach left the population with little acquired immunity through infection, with the highly transmissible Omicron variants spurring infections. In a contrast to what has been seen in most developed nations, the working age population has had higher rates of vaccination than the generally more vulnerable cohorts of seniors. The approach its taking a heavy toll on the world's second largest economy, with significant knock-on impacts on global trade and supply chains. China's export growth slowed to its weakest in almost two years, data showed on Monday. Unemployment was also near two-year highs."
Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/china-covid-19-who-1.6447833
WHO chief censored on China’s internet after calling zero-Covid unsustainable | CNN - Nectar Gan
May 11, 2022 - "The criticism from Tedros, who was accused of being too close to China earlier in the pandemic, came just days after Chinese leader Xi Jinping vowed to double down on the policy and 'resolutely struggle' against all critics. The United Nation’s official press account on China’s Twitter-like Weibo posted Tedro’s comments early on Wednesday morning, drawing a wave of sarcastic comments from Chinese users.
“'Resolutely fight against any words and acts that distort, doubt or deny our country’s epidemic prevention and control policies! Down with the World Health Organization!' a top reply said. 'Should the UN’s verified account be blocked this time?' another said. By mid-morning, the post was no longer viewable on Weibo 'due to the author’s privacy setting'.... A Weibo hashtag of Tedros’ name has also been censored, with images featuring his face being scrubbed from the platform, though posts containing his name are still visible.
"On WeChat, an article from the UN’s official account that included Tedros’ comments has been 'banned from sharing due to a violation of relevant laws and regulations' as of Wednesday morning. Video clips of Tedros’ speech have also been removed from the platform.
"Tedros’ comments, though in line with the assessment of most scientists, have also drawn the ire of Beijing.... 'We hope relevant people can view China’s epidemic prevention and control policy in an objective and rational way, learn more about the facts and refrain from making irresponsible remarks,' Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a news briefing Wednesday."
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/11/china/who-china-zero-covid-unsustainable-intl-hnk/index.html
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