Within one month, the "Twenty Measures for Epidemic Prevention" and "Ten New Measures for Epidemic Prevention" were announced successively, and all localities followed up and implemented them quickly.
However, in the face of the current epidemic situation in many places, some people have misunderstood the adjustment of the epidemic prevention policy and have a certain degree of anxiety.
We have found professional judgments for some of the issues that netizens are most concerned about↓
Is the optimization of epidemic prevention policies "lying flat"?
Now the new crown epidemic has not stopped, and it still appears in different places in China.
How to correctly view the situation caused by Omicron now, we cannot use some methods from two years ago.
——Zhong Nanshan, Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering
Some people try to lead the changes in epidemic prevention and control measures to fully liberalize and lie flat. This is a distorted understanding. If we abandon epidemic prevention and control, people's health, economic development, social stability and security will all face enormous pressure.
——Tong Zhaohui, Vice President of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University
The optimization this time is not completely let go, it is an active optimization rather than a passive one.
——Liang Wannian, leader of the expert group of the National Health Commission's Epidemic Response and Disposal Leading Group
Why start optimizing the epidemic prevention policy now?
Scientific adjustment, continuous optimization, more scientific and more precise, my country's new crown virus epidemic prevention policy has been changing according to this "rhythm".
——Zhang Boli, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering
Nearly three years after the global epidemic, as the virus continues to mutate, its pathogenicity gradually weakens.
"Judging from the characteristics of the virus and the disease, the necessary conditions for the continuation of Class A management have been significantly reduced."
——Zhang Boli, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering
Epidemic prevention policies are determined based on science. It is not a question of tightness, but a question of whether it is suitable or not.
——Tong Zhaohui, Vice President of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University
Further optimization measures are to maximize the protection of people's life safety and health, and minimize the impact of the epidemic on economic and social development.
——Li Bin, deputy director of the National Health Commission
Now choose to optimize, the previous efforts are not in vain?
As of November 28, 2022, the proportion of confirmed cases in China is 1/374 of the global average, 1/1348 of those in the United States, and 1/232 of the global average.
In a report released in May 2021, the WHO explained the prevention and control strategies and consequences adopted by four different countries around the world, and listed my country's "strong prevention and control" as the best option.
——Zhong Nanshan, Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering
The strict prevention and control in the past two years has actually won a very precious time for the vaccination of the whole people, and also laid a solid foundation for the optimization and adjustment of the epidemic prevention and control policy.
——Tong Zhaohui, Vice President of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University
It takes time to be prepared and improve coping capabilities, and it cannot be done overnight.
——Liang Wannian, leader of the expert group of the National Health Commission's Epidemic Response and Disposal Leading Group
In the past few years, we have accumulated a lot of experience in clinical diagnosis and treatment, and have accumulated good treatment methods for the treatment of new coronavirus infection.
——Guo Yanhong, Director of the Medical Emergency Department of the National Health Commission
Can normal life be returned after the epidemic prevention policy is optimized?
The further deepening of the understanding of viruses and diseases, the reduction of disease hazards, the supply of effective vaccines and drugs, and the improvement of emergency response and treatment capabilities are all key elements for restoring the living conditions before the epidemic.
——Liang Wannian, leader of the expert group of the National Health Commission's Epidemic Response and Disposal Leading Group
It can be predicted that as life gradually normalizes, we will face a huge possibility of encountering the new crown virus unexpectedly.
——The team of Zhang Wenhong, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University
Will the optimization of epidemic prevention policies lead to a surge in cases?
The epidemic prevention policy has been adjusted a little bit, and it has no causal relationship with the surge in cases.
It should be said that the surge in data may be due to various reasons, and has nothing to do with whether the "Twenty Articles" are implemented or whether the implementation is strict.
——Professor and virologist Jin Dongyan, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong
Many so-called hidden transmissions are actually due to our personal preventive measures not being in place.
——Wu Zunyou, Chief Epidemiologist of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Will there be medical runs in the future?
Returning COVID-19 to Class B management can release a large amount of medical resources from shelter hospitals and return to normal diagnosis and treatment.
——Zhang Boli, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering
Coordinate the treatment of people infected with the new crown and the guarantee of daily medical services, try not to affect normal medical services as much as possible, and ensure that other medical institutions can meet the needs of the people for medical treatment.
——Li Bin, deputy director of the National Health Commission
At present, it is necessary to pay close attention to the mutation of the new coronavirus, report severe illness and death after infection, and the occupation of medical resources in various places, and strictly prevent medical resources from running out.
——Li Bin, deputy director of the National Health Commission
Is Omicron dangerous now?
Omicron infection is not terrible, 99% can be fully recovered within 7-10 days.
——Zhong Nanshan, Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering
There are tens of thousands of plans to deal with the new crown, but the core question is only one. Should I go to the hospital when I am sick?
Around this question, quite simply, 99.5% of people probably don't need to go to the hospital.
However, our medical system must ensure that 0.5% of patients should be admitted to the hospital.
——The team of Zhang Wenhong, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University
After the new crown Omicron infection, many people have no symptoms or relatively mild symptoms, but some people still have some "flu-like symptoms".
——The team of Zhang Wenhong, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University
According to the data released by Singapore, the case fatality rate of the Omicron variant strain in Singapore during the epidemic period from January to November 2022 is 0.45‰, which is much lower than the 3.6‰ of the delta variant strain from June 2021 to January 2022. fatality rate.
——Li Lanjuan, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and director of the State Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases
What to do once infected?
For infected people who choose to isolate and recover at home, while ensuring that they can eat well and rest well, they also need to learn to monitor the following indicators by themselves: symptoms, body temperature, pulse, and oxygen saturation.
——The team of Zhang Wenhong, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University
For young people without underlying diseases, symptoms usually recover on their own within 3-5 days after adequate rest and enhanced nutrition.
If the symptoms are obvious, it can be relieved by taking medicine, but the dosage should be taken according to the instructions, and it should not exceed the reasonable dosage range.
——The team of Zhang Wenhong, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University
It is not recommended to use antipyretics for general low-grade fever or mild cough, and in fact, there is no need to intervene too much.
Symptoms usually disappear within five to seven days after Omicron infection, so don’t worry too much.
Clinically, it is generally recommended to take antipyretics or Chinese patent medicines for clearing away heat and detoxification when the fever is above 38.5 degrees Celsius.
——Tong Zhaohui, Vice President of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University
Is the new crown really a "big flu"?
The virulence of the current mutant strain should be significantly weakened, very close to that of seasonal flu, so I hope that the general public will not panic. It is a disease that is preventable, controllable, and curable.
——Tang Xiaoping, Secretary of the Party Committee of Guangzhou Medical University
Now these symptoms look very similar to flu symptoms, and many symptoms are milder than severe flu or severe flu.
——Zhang Zhongde, vice president of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and director of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
The new crown and the flu have many similarities.
Because the symptoms of the two are very similar, it is difficult to distinguish whether it is the new crown or the flu based on the symptoms alone, and laboratory diagnosis is required to identify it.
Of course, it is also possible for someone to be infected with the new crown and the flu at the same time.
Compared with influenza, the infectious period of the new crown is longer and the transmission speed is faster.
A higher percentage of people infected with COVID-19 lost their sense of taste or smell.
——Wu Zunyou, Chief Epidemiologist of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
It is said that the new crown will have sequelae, is it true?
There is currently no evidence that infection with Omicron causes sequelae.
From a common sense point of view, there should be no sequelae, because it is in the upper respiratory tract and has not affected the organs and tissues in our body. At least there is no relevant literature at home and abroad to support this statement.
——Tong Zhaohui, Vice President of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University
Compared with the Delta strain, the risk of COVID-19 sequelae caused by the Omicron strain is significantly lower, and asymptomatic infections basically have no COVID-19 sequelae.
The focus of prevention and control policies should shift from infection prevention and control to severe disease prevention and control.
——Zhong Nanshan, Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering
More important than medicine is to drink plenty of water, rest more, enhance nutrition, be happy, and avoid stress. These are more important than taking medicine.
——Zeng Guang, an expert in public health and epidemiology
Can it be done without wanting to be infected?
If you take precautions yourself, and your family and colleagues also take precautions, the risk of contracting the new crown or flu will be greatly reduced.
——Wu Zunyou, Chief Epidemiologist of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
In daily life, it is still necessary to insist on wearing a disposable medical mask or a mask with a protective level above.
Gather as little as possible and maintain social distance in crowded places.
During the epidemic of flu and new crown, when you go out and go home every day, you can rinse your mouth with ice salt water and brush your nasal cavity with a cotton swab.
——Zhang Boli, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering
You can prepare some medicines for colds and coughs at home, including antipyretic and analgesics, Chinese patent medicines, conventional cold medicines and daily medicines.
Be cautious about using drugs that are advertised on the Internet and are not commonly used.
——Zhang Boli, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering
The public's awareness of self-protection should be enhanced, and everyone is the first person responsible for their own health.
Keep a peaceful mind, no anxiety, no fear, and don't listen to rumors and false information.
——Zhang Boli, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering
One of the keys to the next step of prevention and control is to strengthen vaccination, especially the effect of heterogeneous vaccines is better.
Data have shown that any 3 doses of the vaccine significantly reduce the risk of death, especially among the elderly.
——Zhong Nanshan, Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering
Why do you repeatedly emphasize the need to get vaccinated?
Vulnerable groups such as the elderly are prone to develop severe illness, critical illness and even death after being infected with the new crown virus. The benefits of vaccination with the new crown vaccine are the greatest.
——Tong Zhaohui, Vice President of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University
According to research, compared with young people, the elderly over 65 years old, the elderly over 75 years old, and the elderly over 85 years old have 5 times, 7 times, and 9 times the risk of severe illness after contracting new coronary pneumonia. The risk of death was 90, 220 and 570 times higher, respectively.
For the elderly over 80 years old, if one dose of vaccine is not vaccinated, the risk of death is about 14.7%; if one dose of vaccine is received, the risk of death is reduced to 7.16%; if three doses of vaccine are received, the risk of death is reduced to 1.5% %.
Compared with no vaccination, the risk of death decreased by 9.3 times after receiving 3 doses of vaccine.
——Xia Gang, director of the Department of Health and Immunization of the National Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention
Vaccination is the main means of preventing viral respiratory infectious diseases.
——Wu Zunyou, Chief Epidemiologist of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
From the data provided by the Guangzhou laboratory, it can be seen that compared with the homologous inactivated vaccine booster, the heterologous immune booster induces a higher level of neutralizing antibodies, and at the same time enhances the protection against various mutant strains.
——Zhong Nanshan, Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering
Finally, I would like to quote a sentence from Academician Zhang Boli as the end: Winter has come, and spring is not far away, let alone early spring in the coming year.
Earlier, Xinhua News Agency issued an article saying that "the most difficult period of fighting the epidemic has passed."
China has become the country with the lowest incidence rate and the lowest death toll of new coronary pneumonia among major countries in the world.
The medical and health care and disease control systems have withstood the test, achieving a complete population vaccination rate of over 90%.
Now that the pathogenicity of the Omicron virus is weakening, our response capabilities are increasing, which has laid the foundation and provided conditions for continuous optimization and improvement of prevention and control measures.
Clean up anxiety, boost confidence, eat and drink well!
Protect yourself today!