China doubles down on “zero-COVID” strategy

Chinese President Xi Jinping touted his country’s “zero-COVID” strategy at the just concluded Communist Party’s National Congress, dashing any hopes that China’s rigid regime of quarantines, mass testing, and lockdowns may soon come to an end. www.science.org/content/article/news-glance-climate-justice-ethical-mask-wearers-and-cdc-under-trump

The strategy has crimped the economy, and public health experts say the obstacles to lifting it are now rising: Unlike much of the rest of the world, China has not begun second booster doses, which means protection is waning. And Chinese health authorities say that zero-COVID is still needed to protect the 10% of those over age 60 still not fully vaccinated. Xi’s policy is likely to continue, as the congress has given him an unprecedented third 5-year term.

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