Tuesday 14 June 2022

Monitoring the pandemic | Zero Covid policy and eco growth don’t mix

Zhou Xin “…virus balancing act just impossible”. You couldn’t say this in the mainland media, where zero-Covid policy is unquestionable dogma. Related: “Covid rules in China bewildering”. And: Hong Kong reports 800 new cases yesterday; China 138. China, with 187 times the population of HK… Huh?

Meantime, we learn that China will add to its GDP, all its expenditures on Covid testing. Over next few months Beijing budgets 180 Billion RMB (US$ 30 Bn) in Covid testing. That’s equivalent to around 1% of GDP, which they are adding to GDP. It’s like digging a hole, filling it in again and adding the costs to your annual income. Testing does nothing to add to wealth. 

And “Carrie Lam won’t budge an inch in response to business chambers calling for easing”. After saying a few days ago we had to try to get back our international competitiveness. All comments are mocking her. Eg:

Dish of the Day - Flip Flop Curry - yesterday she stated Hong Kong must reopen to maintain its Global Status  Perviously keeps moving the goal posts. Must reach 70% - 80% and 90% Vaccination Rates  Full of broken promises