BlueSky Thinking Summary

The article looks into the Chinese experience with the zero-Covid policy, tracing its trajectory: from early triumph to enduring challenge.

Moving from being first lauded over its very strict lockdown and equally strict measures of pandemic control, it met some profound consequences both economically and socially.

There were huge losses in GDP in Shanghai and job cuts, especially in high-paying sectors.

This therefore meant that rural areas, economically too dependent on migrant labor and tourism already, carried the burden of the fallout for a much longer period.

While restrictions were gradually eased towards the latter half of 2022, there was latent suffering due to low vaccination rates among the elderly, with overstretched healthcare capacities.

In so doing, the policy legacy brought deep economic vulnerabilities and societal effects to light, including rising youth unemployment and crushing mental health burdens.

Looking beyond the global health policy implications, broader considerations of economic stability considerations, and lessons from crisis management and recovery, China offers fertile ground.

As the nation pushes into the post-zero-Covid landscape, what is yet to be determined is how economic rejuvenation efforts will play out in a society that endures.