China's pre-COVID-19 normality is expected to come back, as claimed by Zhong Nanshan.
(Photo : Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
A member of the Chinese military wears a protective mask as he shops for decorations for the upcoming Chinese New Year and Spring Festival at a market on January 29, 2022 in Beijing, China. China will celebrate the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Tiger on February 1.
For those who don't know who Nanshan is, he is the former president of the Chinese Medical Association from 2005 to 2009.
Nanshan received the Medal of the Republic, the highest honor in China, making him among the top health experts in the Asian nation.
This is why his predictions are a big deal for Chinese residents. Now, here's what he claims about China's COVID-19 situation.
China's Pre-COVID-19 Normality to Return?
According to South China Morning Post's latest report, Nanshan predicts that China will return to its pre-COVID-19 normality by mid-2023.
(Photo : Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
A man wears a mask looks on front of nucleic acid testing booth on December 04, 2022 in Beijing, China. China is trying to contain a spike in coronavirus cases in the capital Beijing, placing some neighborhoods under lockdown where cases are found in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Also Read: Health Experts Suggest Bringing Back COVID-19 Face Masks; Will People Accept This?
"It is highly unlikely that people will be restricted from traveling home for Lunar New Year celebrations in 2023," said the Chinese pulmonologist.
But, he urges visitors and Chinese returning home to improve their health preparations before celebrating the Lunar New Year.
He explained that people should get booster vaccinations first to not develop severe COVID-19 symptoms if they ever get infected.
Nanshan further stated that COVID-19 vaccine booster shots could prevent mass transmission during the Lunar New Year migration, especially in crowded places.
What Other Health Experts Say
Nature Journal reported that many health experts are concerned as China relaxes its zero-COVID policy.
Recently, the Chinese government issued new guidelines to ease some health restrictions.
These include travel restrictions and testing requirements. Aside from this, in China, patients with mild or no COVID-19 symptoms are now allowed to isolate at their houses.
Because of this, medical researchers said that the adjustments made in China's zero-COVID policies could lead to more infections.
Right now, government organizations and independent health companies are making efforts to find solutions on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Recently, U.S. FDA authorized bivalent COVID-19 boosters for children.
Experts also suggested continuing to use COVID-19 rapid tests since they are still efficient against new sub-variants.
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