In the survey responses of his former students in China, most of whom are now in their mid- to late 40s, Peter Hessler observed a high degree of confusion and contradiction about their government’s “zero COVID” policy.
” policy in at least a dozen major cities. The responses of my former students don’t reflect those events, but they do reflect a period of many months in which China had already experienced significant problems with its policy, including this spring’s brutalThe respondents are similar to many provincial urban Chinese: educated and solidly middle class, but not rich.
Another man commented on the strangeness of having experienced so much daily disruption without any actual illness. “The pandemic is just like a ghost,” he wrote. After nearly three years, the level of knowledge in such places can be shockingly low: some respondents commented about the need to prioritize protecting children from infection, apparently still unaware that the young are not at high risk.
At the end of the survey, I asked whether the pandemic has changed anything significant about their personal opinions, beliefs, or values. The responses included:Yes, we are not free any more, there are too many restrictions because of the pandemic. Yes, I used to think teaching was not a good job with a low salary, but now I think it’s the safest job we have got. Many people have no money to make or they lose their jobs or business.No, I think the government is not civilized now, they treat people worse because of the disease. And people are more bad-tempered than before.In past surveys, I had never received so many contradictory answers to a single question.
[In the past] I was jealous of many business friends, they make a lot of money. They felt much more freedom and enjoyed a more wonderful life , and they looked down on us because we were 普通老百姓 [average people]. But things are now different, many of them find it hard to survive the situation. Some of them have been out of business. Now I think to have a 事业单位工作 [state-run job] is decent and 安逸 [easy and comfortable], but I did not think so before the pandemic.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Zero Patience for Zero-Covid in China - CNN One Thing - Podcast on CNN AudioChina has signaled it may adjust some aspects of its strict zero-Covid policy following a massive show of defiance in cities across the country, with some openly calling for the removal of Chinese leader Xi Jinping. We examine the financial and psychological ramifications of the restrictions and look at whether the protests could force more change. Guest: Selina Wang, CNN International Correspondent
Read more »
Antony Blinken says Biden administration supports zero-Covid protesters in China | CNN PoliticsSecretary of State Tony Blinken said Sunday that the Biden administration supports the zero-COVID protesters in China, explaining that he will address the topic when he visits the country early next year.
Read more »
'Danger and temptation': China's 'zero-COVID' protests present Biden with new challengeWASHINGTON — 'I write this letter with a heavy heart' began the communique President George H. W. Bush sent to Chinese President Deng Xiaoping on June 20, 1989, two weeks after the massacre of protesters in Tiananmen Square.
Read more »
China eases controls, gives no sign when ‘zero COVID’ endsBEIJING (AP) — China is easing some of the world’s most stringent anti-virus controls and authorities say new variants are weaker. But they have yet to say when they might end a “…
Read more »
China eases some controls but gives no sign of when 'zero COVID' strategy will endChina’s “zero-COVID“ strategy has confined millions of people to their homes and set off protests and demands for President Xi Jinping to resign.
Read more »
China eases some controls but gives no sign of when 'zero COVID' strategy will endChina’s “zero-COVID“ strategy has confined millions of people to their homes and set off protests and demands for President Xi Jinping to resign.
Read more »