Early last week, the pandemic situation in Shanghai continued to deteriorate. But according to official reports, there was only one serious case. Netizens naturally raised the question: was it worthwhile to lock down the city with a population of 25 million for a single serious case? Public opinion, however, is not expected to have an impact. Local officials understand that the leadership demands strict accountability in the combat of the epidemic; those who perform will be promoted and those who fail to deliver will lose their positions, especially when the 20th Party Congress is approaching.
A few months ago, experts suggested in the media to adjust the “zero case” approach and consider western countries’ experiences; but such views were suppressed immediately.  Till now, the official propaganda machinery adopts a unified stand, the “zero case” approach becomes an unshakable state policy.  The combat of an epidemic is a scientific medical issue. Most governments recruit experts as advisors, and largely rely on them to explain to the public the necessary policy measures.  The Chinese authorities also recruit experts, but they can only toe the government line; they are not supposed to openly deliberate on different options and refer to successful foreign experiences. This is typical politicisation of the issue, and it is related to the leadership’s prestige.
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