While here in the USA most people are acting as though the pandemic is over—one only has to look around the world to see other countries struggling with new outbreaks.
Korea is just coming out of their worst outbreak and as described below, Shanghai is in the midst of a major outbreak for them. Imagine us trying to test 26M people in matter of a few weeks.
Meanwhile, here in the United States the federal government says it does not have enough appropriated funds to continue to support a continuing effort to help states deal with future outbreaks.
Our approach to defeating a disease is the same as it is with winning wars. World War I and World War II saw America cut back drastically on funding for the military once the wars were won. Leading up to WWII we were not prepared. Then comes the Korean Conflict and the troops have old weapons, and poor training when North Korea attacked. It is either feast or famine when it comes to funding.
Watch as the surge in funding for public health at the state and local levels starts to be pared back. "Sustainment" does not appear to be a word in our vocabulary when it comes to military or public health readiness.
Here's the latest on Shanghai.
From the NY Times:
Shanghai’s lockdown |
China’s largest outbreak since the beginning of the pandemic is now gripping Shanghai, its largest city and a global financial center. |
- Citizens in locked-down areas, except for those providing essential services, will not be allowed to leave their neighborhoods.
- Offices and all businesses not considered essential will be closed and public transport suspended.
- Deliveries will be left at special checkpoints, The Associated Press reported.
The city of 26 million reported more than 2,600 Covid infections yesterday, from just a handful in early March, with hospitals and medical staff already stretched thin. A member of Shanghai’s expert Covid-19 team told Reuters that testing had found “large scale” infections throughout the city. Daily new coronavirus cases in China, seven-day average. |
The government is introducing a two-stage lockdown and plans to test all 26 million residents in the coming weeks. Restrictions and mass testing were set to start this morning in areas east of the Huangpu River, lasting until April 1. Restrictions and testing in districts west of the river will begin on April 1 and continue until April 5. |
Some of the city’s neighborhoods have already been under lockdown for over a week, and an increasing number of people are reporting problems securing daily necessities, including medical supplies. The A.P. and CNN reported incidents of panic buying at supermarkets and other businesses. |
The decision to lock down Shanghai “marks a U-turn for authorities,” the South China Morning Post reported, after officials “repeatedly said there would be no citywide stay-at-home orders, and that economic activity and daily operations must remain open.” |
Earlier this month, the country’s leader Xi Jinping urged officials to reduce the impact of China’s Covid response on people’s livelihoods. |
