The two largest economic powers in the world do not see the management of the pandemic in the same way. China imposes draconian measures when a single case appears or when the virus is detected in the mail. The United States does not impose severe health measures and accepts that tens of thousands of people are gathered in a stadium.
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United States
- Country population: 335 million
- Median age: 38.5 years
- Proportion of 65+: 16.85%
◆ 853,958 dead
◆ 66,53 millions positive cases reported
◆ Adequately vaccinated population (January 14): 62,6 %
◆ 1,06 million daily cases (January 18)
◆ 2.8 hospital beds/1000 inhabitants
Events sporty
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Despite many new cases of COVID-19 per day, the United States still allows sporting events to host tens of thousands of people, without additional restrictions like mask-wearing or social distancing.
The San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys faced off Sunday night in Texas in front of just over 93,000 spectators.
Frontier
Since the United States opened its borders with Canada and Mexico in November, travelers must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test. The unvaccinated can enter the country even though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends being adequately vaccinated in order to enter the country.
Distribution of masks
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In the coming days, the United States will begin distributing over 400 million N95 masks for free to counter the spread of the Omicron variant. This week, a website was put online so that the population could obtain rapid tests distributed free of charge, as shown opposite in Miami, Florida.
masks in schools
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In Florida, where three million students returned to class earlier this month, a new law prohibits requiring students to wear masks in public schools.
Elsewhere in the US, a few US states mandate mask wearing at school, but the majority leave the decision in the hands of individual school districts.
Faced with the lack of staff, some schools, like here in Louisville, Kentucky, have to turn to virtual education.
Screening
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In the United States, screening is generally done in centers or, as here, at the car.
China
- Country population: 1.4 billion
- Median age: 38.4 years
- Proportion of 65+: 12.34%
◆ 4636 dead
◆ 105,345 cases reported positives
◆ Adequately vaccinated population (January 14): 84,5 %
◆ 87 cases dailies (January 18)
◆ 4.8 hospital beds/1000 inhabitants
Screening
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A few cases of COVID-19 in a Chinese city may prompt authorities to deploy a team to screen tens of thousands of people due to their zero infection health policy. In Tianjin (pictures), authorities have deployed a team to test the roughly 14 million residents of China’s 4th most populous city to stop the spread of the Omicron variant.
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In Ruili, a city in Yunnan province, the approximately 200,000 inhabitants must be massively tested for the slightest case of COVID-19. According to the local press, a baby had to be screened more than 70 times.
Vaccination
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China is taking drastic measures to get out of the pandemic as quickly as possible. As of January 14, 84.5% of the population was adequately vaccinated. The Chinese government is also pushing to vaccinate the population.
Borders
Few people can cross borders in order to enter or leave China. People who are allowed to enter the country must undergo a mandatory three-week quarantine.
Games olympics
A few days before the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China has set up a bubble to protect the approximately 3,000 athletes in the competition. A quarantine will force some athletes to leave the country only after the Paralympic Games end on March 13.
Restrictions extremes
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When new cases appear, the authorities take drastic measures. Mass screening or border closures are among the measures. Some cities like that of Anyang (photos) are placed in quarantine.
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Citizens can no longer travel in vehicles and must stay at home, which results in deserted streets. China is considering disinfecting all mail from overseas after it received a package from Canada that allegedly spread the Omicron variant, according to Chinese authorities.
Sources: Our World In Data, CIA, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), US Government, Florida Phoenix, The Guardian and USA Today
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