Headline: Shaanxi’s Top Officials Underscore Perseverance in New Year’s Eve COVID-19 Inspection
Source: CCTV
As reported by the official “Shaanxi Release” account, on December 31, 2021, Provincial Party Secretary Liu Guozhong and Governor Zhao Yide personally toured Xi’an to assess the effectiveness of COVID-19 prevention measures. Their visit included expressions of gratitude and New Year’s wishes to healthcare professionals, community workers, police officers, support staff, volunteers, and residents actively combating the virus, conveying the best wishes of the central government.
In Chongdefang’s West Yard, Liu Guozhong and Zhao Yide engaged in discussions with personnel overseeing the implementation of safety protocols. They commended the dedication of frontline workers, acknowledging their sacrifices and significant role in containing the spread of the virus. While recognizing positive shifts in the pandemic’s trajectory, they stressed the importance of maintaining resolve, solidarity, and collaborative community efforts to secure ultimate victory over the outbreak. The officials also urged workers to prioritize their own safety and well-being amidst the intense workload.
In Xujiazhuang Village, an urban community within the Electronic City district, the officials reviewed the performance of support staff and the neighborhood’s integrated control strategy. They highlighted the critical role of urban villages in epidemic control, urging stronger organizational leadership, refined control strategies, enhanced precision in execution, and resolute implementation of safety protocols. They emphasized that support staff must remain dedicated, fully engaged, and collaborate closely with local officials to monitor and manage potential outbreaks effectively.
Liu Guozhong and Zhao Yide also focused on guaranteeing the public’s access to essential supplies. At the Fenglin Oasis Community within the High-tech Zone, they inquired about resource availability, management effectiveness, and delivery efficiency. Understanding that the holiday period would significantly increase demand, they emphasized the provincial government’s commitment to ensuring adequate supplies and timely distribution of goods. They instructed communities to enhance distribution services to ensure everyone enjoys a safe and peaceful holiday season.
Throughout the inspection, the officials stressed the importance of providing comprehensive support and protection to frontline personnel, ensuring their well-being. They mandated a significant increase of support staff to tackle the issue head-on, addressing community concerns and resolving challenges faced by residents. They appealed to the public for continued support of government measures, urging collective effort and perseverance.
## Xi’an Lockdown: A New Year’s Eve Inspection and its Aftermath
CCTV reported that on December 31st, 2021, high-ranking Shaanxi officials conducted a New Year’s Eve inspection of Xi’an’s COVID-19 prevention measures. This visit, as detailed in the “Shaanxi Release” account, showcased a show of support for frontline workers battling the outbreak. Provincial Party Secretary Liu Guozhong and Governor Zhao Yide personally expressed gratitude and offered New Year’s wishes to healthcare workers, community members and volunteers. Their on-the-ground assessment in Chongdefang’s West Yard highlighted the officials’ focus on the implementation of safety protocols and the dedication of those working tirelessly to contain the virus. While acknowledging progress, they emphasized the continued need for perseverance, unity, and collaboration.
This visit occurred against a backdrop of considerable hardship for Xi’an residents. Reports from around the same time indicated that some residents were facing severe food shortages despite official assurances of adequate supplies. The BBC reported on cries for help and accounts of insufficient food access among those under lockdown. [[1]] This underscores the complexities of managing a large-scale lockdown, even with visible displays of official support. The situation in Xi’an was described as the worst COVID-19 outbreak in China since Wuhan in 2020. [[2]] Over 13 million people were confined to their homes for weeks. [[3]]
The juxtaposition of the optimistic official assessment with concurrent reports of hardship highlights a critical issue: the disconnect between official pronouncements and the lived experiences of the population during the lockdown. While the high-level visit undoubtedly boosted morale amongst frontline workers, the focus on maintaining resolve and collaboration might have inadvertently overshadowed the immediate, urgent needs of the population struggling with food insecurity and other lockdown-related challenges. The success of the eventual lockdown easing, reported as resulting “in zero infections”, [[3]] doesn’t erase the suffering endured during its implementation. This event serves as a case study in the challenges of balancing public health measures with the preservation of human dignity and well-being during a major public health crisis.
