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 Given how comfortable people feel wearing masks in public spaces now, it is amazing how much people have adapted to life during the pandemic. Having originated in China, the COVID-19 virus spread throughout the world, disrupting lives and causing millions of deaths. Governments have had to institute restrictions in attempt to contain the disease. China adopted a “Zero-COVID” policy, aiming to keep cases close to zero through strict lockdown, mass testing, quarantine, and contact tracing measures. Though it may have had some success in limiting infections, the policy deserves criticism for restricting freedoms, drastically slowing the economy, and depriving people of basic necessities like food and medical care.   

First, China’s Zero-COVID Policy severely restricts people’s freedom of movement, not only affecting their mental health but also depriving them of basic necessities. One of the measures implemented as part of the policy was stringent, large-scale lockdowns that sometimes spanned entire cities. This meant people were forced to live in isolation for extended periods, sometimes for months. The impact on mental health was significant for those confined to their homes, but the situation was even more challenging for those forced to stay in government-designated quarantine facilities. These facilities often had overcrowded living conditions that afforded little privacy, and in some cases, basic sanitation facilities like showers were lacking. Worst of all, some camps had a shortage of food and medical supplies. Lack of basic necessities was also a problem for those whose entire cities were locked down. For example, there have been news reports of parents attempting to break through government checkpoints to obtain food or urgently needed medical care for their children, highlighting the desperate situation faced by Chinese citizens because of this policy.

Second, the Zero COVID Policy had a negative impact on the China’s economy and, by extension, that of the entire world. As the factory of the world, China plays a vital role in global supply chains, manufacturing everything from electronic devices to clothing and food products. Due to the Zero COVID Policy, many manufacturing facilities in China ground to a halt, and some were unable to export their products because of the country’s self-imposed isolation from the rest of the world. As a result, many businesses that depend on Chinese partners for their supply of components or goods faced significant disruptions. Consumption, another major pillar of China’s economy, also suffered, as a downturn in the economy and confinement measures reduced demand for goods and services, impacting retail businesses. This downturn had global implications since many countries rely on Chinese customers for significant portions of their revenue. Overall, the Zero COVID Policy had significant ripple effects across the entire global economic landscape.

The final point relates to the abrupt manner in which the Zero COVID Policy was lifted. Due to the absence of clearly defined reopening stages, various segments of the population were left defenseless against the inevitable surge in the virus. One prime example is rural villages. As numerous urban workers returned to their hometowns in the countryside, they brought with them the COVID-19 virus or its variants. These small towns had neither developed herd immunity nor had the infrastructure necessary to deal with massive outbreaks. Reports have emerged of overworked doctors, inadequate resources for testing and treatment, and hospitals overwhelmed with patients. All of this highlights the argument that, given the extreme nature of the Zero COVID Policy, more care should have been taken to transition to normal circumstances. In the absence of such a measured approach, China is facing the very negative consequences it had hoped to avoid through the Zero COVID Policy. 

In conclusion, China’s Zero COVID Policy should be criticized for restricting people’s freedom (to the point of depriving them of basic necessities), severely impacting the Chinese and global economies, and leaving many vulnerable to the virus in its wake. 

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