4 ms·

- lower natural immunity rates because zero COVID had been successful - lower vaccination rates - vaccine drives prioritized the young and healthy (the idea b

- lower natural immunity rates because zero COVID had been successful - lower vaccination rates - vaccine drives prioritized the young and healthy (the idea being they can handle side effects so this seemed like the best way to achieve herd immunity) - the newer strains are super infectious and would overwhelm the healthcare system They don't have a good way out now. They should have used the time they got last year to buy MRNA vaccines, but they did not. The central government has likely given up on zero COVID but are sticking with those policies for now to "flatten the curve" while this wave takes its course.

LorenPechtel 5y ago
Yup. Failure is going to come at a horrendous price--I wouldn't be surprised at a 7-figure death toll. They're desperately clinging to hope even though containment has obviously failed.
AJ007 5y ago
Also they have a vaccine that may not work.
- ahmedalsudani 5y ago
  It helps prevent infection and temper symptoms but it's not as effective as the mRNA vaccines. Something like 50% vs 90% though that could be old data.
  - lazide 5y ago
    At least one new variant can burn through even double shot vaccinated and boosted in extreme cases. Due to various factors outside of my control, my toddler has now gotten Covid 4 times in the last year (10 months really). Antigen and PCR confirmed. Most recently, a minor window of exposure got my oldest sick (double shot vaccinated), and taking care of both of them eventually got me sick (double shot vaccinated, boosted, AND took care of my toddler in isolation for weeks at a time during his most infectious times the prior 3 times). I’ve had side effects/immune response before obviously, but never tested positive. This time I tested positive. No major adverse symptoms at least, but sick like with a moderate flu for a week+ despite all that is no fun. Folks with no prior exposure and a weaker vaccine? Yikes.
    - ahmedalsudani 5y ago
      Ouch! 4 times in a year is crazy! Glad to hear your infection came with no severe symptoms. Being able to come in contact without worrying about being the unlucky person who gets hospitalized is something to be thankful for. The vaccines have been a gift.
  - version_five 5y ago
    Afaik those numbers are for covid classic. For Omicron et al, I don't think the mRNA vaccines do anything except "prevent severe infection". They dont stop catching or transmitting it. No idea how the chinese and other vaccines fare against the new variants.
martinald 5y ago
I think the other thing is China has somewhat demonised the rest of the world for is covid response, and it seems there was a lot of 'pride' at the fact the CCP had kept it at bay. Sort of "only the Chinese governmental system can save you", which for many months/years seemed true, with most of the rest of the world struggling to cope, wheras China was completely normal for a long time. It's clear this is going to end extremely badly. Take a look at Hong Kong's death rate climb when it got out of control there - and HK is much richer than mainland China, with some of the best medical care in the world, and HK did have a fair bit of mRNA vaccine usage, whereas China has close to 0.
- ahmedalsudani 5y ago
  Yeah it does look like their initial success has set them up for a much bigger shock with Omicron. It's so much more infectious and is actually still rather severe. Most of us here have been vaccinated and/or have some natural immunity from prior waves, which made Omicron seem mild. China seems to have a perfect storm of a healthcare system already stretched thin, low immunity among the population, and a super infectious strain. The lockdowns are probably their best option but they also need to ramp up mRNA vaccinations in tandem. Zero COVID is unsustainable.

LorenPechtel 5y ago

Yup. Failure is going to come at a horrendous price--I wouldn't be surprised at a 7-figure death toll. They're desperately clinging to hope even though containment has obviously failed.

AJ007 5y ago

Also they have a vaccine that may not work.

ahmedalsudani 5y ago
It helps prevent infection and temper symptoms but it's not as effective as the mRNA vaccines. Something like 50% vs 90% though that could be old data.
- lazide 5y ago
  At least one new variant can burn through even double shot vaccinated and boosted in extreme cases. Due to various factors outside of my control, my toddler has now gotten Covid 4 times in the last year (10 months really). Antigen and PCR confirmed. Most recently, a minor window of exposure got my oldest sick (double shot vaccinated), and taking care of both of them eventually got me sick (double shot vaccinated, boosted, AND took care of my toddler in isolation for weeks at a time during his most infectious times the prior 3 times). I’ve had side effects/immune response before obviously, but never tested positive. This time I tested positive. No major adverse symptoms at least, but sick like with a moderate flu for a week+ despite all that is no fun. Folks with no prior exposure and a weaker vaccine? Yikes.
  - ahmedalsudani 5y ago
    Ouch! 4 times in a year is crazy! Glad to hear your infection came with no severe symptoms. Being able to come in contact without worrying about being the unlucky person who gets hospitalized is something to be thankful for. The vaccines have been a gift.
- version_five 5y ago
  Afaik those numbers are for covid classic. For Omicron et al, I don't think the mRNA vaccines do anything except "prevent severe infection". They dont stop catching or transmitting it. No idea how the chinese and other vaccines fare against the new variants.

martinald 5y ago

I think the other thing is China has somewhat demonised the rest of the world for is covid response, and it seems there was a lot of 'pride' at the fact the CCP had kept it at bay. Sort of "only the Chinese governmental system can save you", which for many months/years seemed true, with most of the rest of the world struggling to cope, wheras China was completely normal for a long time. It's clear this is going to end extremely badly. Take a look at Hong Kong's death rate climb when it got out of control there - and HK is much richer than mainland China, with some of the best medical care in the world, and HK did have a fair bit of mRNA vaccine usage, whereas China has close to 0.

ahmedalsudani 5y ago
Yeah it does look like their initial success has set them up for a much bigger shock with Omicron. It's so much more infectious and is actually still rather severe. Most of us here have been vaccinated and/or have some natural immunity from prior waves, which made Omicron seem mild. China seems to have a perfect storm of a healthcare system already stretched thin, low immunity among the population, and a super infectious strain. The lockdowns are probably their best option but they also need to ramp up mRNA vaccinations in tandem. Zero COVID is unsustainable.