An expert who has complained about the threat of the new coronavirus in China has emphasized that the Omicron strain, which is the mainstream of infection, should be called 'new corona cold' rather than scary.
Criticism has also been raised that experts have changed their views in line with the government's relaxation of infection control measures.
With the spread of the new coronavirus in China, on the 7th of this month, the Chinese government relaxed infection control measures, such as not requiring the presentation of a negative PCR test, which has been mandatory in many places.
In response to this, Zhong Nanshan, a leading researcher of infectious diseases in China who has advocated the legitimacy of the "zero corona" policy, gave a lecture at the university on the 15th, saying, "Omicron stocks are not scary. Mortality rate is low and should be called the 'new corona cold'."
Mr. Zhong also said on the 9th of this month that ``99% of those infected with the Omicron strain will recover in a week.''
The Chinese government has been appealing that it has suppressed the infection under the "zero corona" policy so far, but since it hastily eased the measures, there is a deep-rooted sense of anxiety among people about the new coronavirus.
Criticism has also been raised on social media, saying, "I don't want to hear this person's story anymore."