A short thread on the under-reporting. On the one had, we have US gov sources saying they believe China is "severely" underreporting...
...And on the other, a EiC of the Chinese government's propaganda organ is telling everyone that the outbreak is "largely under control."
Note that when the daily increases started dropping a few days ago, they brought Xi out in public again. Probably not a coincidence.
I sort of think the Chinese plan is something like: "a ton of people will die from this, & we'll do the best we can but it is what it is. The main thing is to maintain control, look like we're winning, & get everyone back to work as soon as this burns out."
In other words, the outbreak there is gonna do what it's gonna do. From here on out, the Chinese plan is to maintain the appearance of winning, whatever the facts on the ground, until at some point the tide really does turn & this goes away.
"Fake it till you make it" basically.
"Fake it till you make it" basically.
