Beijing clamps down on virus as US masks the problem
When the coronavirus flared in China this week, the country cancelled flights, suspended re-openings and described the situation as “extremely grave”. But with cases rising in some US states, local officials have balked at even requiring people to wear masks.
China responded yesterday to a new outbreak in Beijing by scrapping more than 60 per cent of its flights to the capital, cancelling classes and strengthening requirements for social distancing. It was a sharp retreat for the nation that declared victory over Covid-19 in March.
China’s response to about 137 new cases amounted to a fraction of the number some US states see each day. In Arizona, more than 1100 people visited emergency rooms on Wednesday alone with positive or suspected cases.
Alabama is also fast running out of hospital space, leading to impassioned debate over whether to require masks.
Other states that haven’t mandated face coverings, like Texas and Florida, also are seeing infections soar to record highs.
With masks becoming a political symbol, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has taken aim at President Donald Trump’s approach to the pandemic.
“Donald Trump wants to style himself as a wartime president. Unlike any other wartime leader, he takes no responsibility, he exercises no leadership, now he has just flat surrendered the fight,” Biden said.
Since the virus emerged in China late last year and spread worldwide, there have been more than 8 million confirmed cases and over 445,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. Experts say the true toll is much higher. The US death toll has exceeded 117,000.
European nations, which embarked on a wide-scale re-opening this week, watched Asia and the Americas with trepidation.