Dynamic clearing the option that puts people's lives first: China Daily editorial

No matter how many countries choose to co-exist with the novel coronavirus, China will continue to stick to its tried and proved dynamic clearing policy, as that remains the best way to save people's lives for the time being.

True, in the process of implementing the policy, some problems have emerged. But these are mainly the result of the rigidity with which those at the grassroots level are carrying out the policy, rather than the policy itself. And most of the problems have been quickly addressed.

That China remains one of the few large countries to have effectively tamed the virus so far can be attributed to the nation's resolute implementation of the dynamic clearing policy under the leadership of the central authorities and with the cooperation of the people.

That some developed countries have reopened in the face of the raging Omicron variant is not because so-called herd immunity has been realized but because they have given up all virus control measures under the social and economic pressure.

The cost of doing so is clear. The number of deaths attributable to the Omicron variant of the virus is more than those caused by the Delta variant. The World Health Organization has rightly called the death toll "beyond tragic". The Omicron variant had claimed half a million lives and infected more than 130 million people as of early February since it first appeared in November. In the Chinese mainland, nearly half a million local cases have been reported since March.

Given China's large population of senior citizens, about 20 percent of its 1.4 billion population, and the uneven distribution of medical resources throughout the country, to join the "herd immunity" club would mean not only discarding what it has already achieved but also paying an expensive price in terms of people's lives, socioeconomic development and social stability, which would far outweigh the short-time inconveniences and problems caused by the current virus control measures.

China is making the most of what it has and its institutional strengths to save people's lives, guarantee their livelihoods, and keep the country developing on its charted courses.

Given the high infectiousness of the Omicron variant and the geometric progression of the risks it imposes on public health compared with its predecessor, China has done a good job in controlling the virus at the minimum cost.

Before a more effective way to fight the virus is devised, China will unswervingly adhere to its current dynamic clearing virus control policy. But while this is still the right course of action for the country given its circumstances, it should at the same time try to make its implementation on the ground more flexible and responsive to the needs of the people.