I think it's the opposite. Chinas economy was quickly back to normal in 2020 while other countries suffered. But it's going to be costly this time, for little return.

The chinese people are probably more conservative and will likely self-lockdown if the gov't doesn't handle the situation well by locking down early.

I think it's probably a better idea to give the populous assurances and demonstrate that outbreaks are contained, so that the populous return after the lockdown with confidence to go out and resume economic activity.

Exactly.

It's such an absurd tradeoff for the Omicron variant, which is less deadly than the flu[1]. COVID isn't ever going away. China seems to be willing to pay a giant recurring cost, eternally, for an infection less harmful than the flu. Insane.

1. https://twitter.com/EricTopol/status/1501773203261165570

> It's such an absurd tradeoff for the Omicron variant, which is less deadly than the flu[1]

Apparently the data is only applicable for England, which has already achieved herd immunity

Agreed. It's stupid. Feel bad for the people living their miserable lives there. First locked in school all day for 24/7 and now they're locked in because the government is scared

As I mentioned, policy will change after this as it becomes clear that it is not fit for omicron.

Came to say the same thing. This feels like a weird blast from the past, which given that Covid first appeared in China, seems just odd really.

Indeed. See my other comment where I mention the irony of this.