Beijing, Jan 19 (EFE).- The Chinese Cyberspace Administration announced this Wednesday a campaign with the purpose of “creating a festive and auspicious atmosphere” and “rectifying the rumors” about the covid during the Lunar New Year holidays, which They will start this weekend.
The body “will stop the spread of harmful information” and the publications that appear on networks about the pandemic that “mislead society and cause panic,” according to a statement published on its website.
In addition, it will prosecute “secret prescriptions against the virus” and “false testimonials from patients”, after a few weeks in which there has been an increase in hospital pressure in the cities and problems in access to medicines that caused the people resorted to dubious home remedies such as the consumption of canned peaches against covid.
According to a recent study by Peking University, around 900 million people have already been infected with covid in China after the country dismantled the “zero covid” policy and opted for more lax control of the pandemic after for protests to take place.
Last Monday, the Administration identified a series of “rumors” that “seriously altered the social order” and that appeared on social networks in December, the month in which the restrictions were relaxed.
Regulators detected on Chinese social media “unsubstantiated accusations,” “pseudoscience,” “impersonation of authority” and other behavior that “stirred public sentiment.”
Regarding misinformation about the coronavirus, the Administration mentioned alleged news that circulated on the Chinese internet about some patients having been infected with the original 2019 strain or health advice such as that one cannot take ibuprofen once recovered from the covid.
In addition, the institution asserted yesterday that it will have under its sights during the festive period those who “flaunt wealth” and “promote overeating”, on dates in which cash gifts and gifts are traditional. family meals with plenty of food.
As usual for a few years, the Administration reiterated its desire to end “gossip” and “revelations of private affairs” related to famous people.
Cyberspace authorities will also prosecute content that “exaggerates the dark side of society by posting false information” and “vulgar” posts.
The Chinese usually return to their places of origin for the Lunar New Year festivities, which this year will begin on January 21 and last until the 27th, although the high travel season officially began on January 7.
For weeks, the Chinese authorities have asked localities to prepare for the spread of the covid during the festive dates: the Executive requested in December that priority be given to health services in rural areas “to protect the population “, noting “their relative scarcity of health care resources.” EFE
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