WHO Calls for Masking, Physical Distancing Over ‘Mystery’ Illness
Despite the assurance, the United Kingdom has signaled it may be considering a return to mandates like forced masking in response.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) is telling Chinese citizens to wear face masks, keep physical distance, and stay home amid an outbreak of a “mystery respiratory illness.”
Media reports say hospitals in Beijing and Liaoning are overwhelmed with cases of “undiagnosed pneumonia” primarily affecting kids. The children are presenting symptoms of lung inflammation and high fever, but not the coughing associated with COVID-19, RSV or other illnesses.
Chinese officials first announced the outbreak on November 13th, which they reportedly blamed on the absence of lockdown restrictions. The WHO has asked that Chinese people distance themselves from each other, stay home if they feel unwell, and return to masking. Classes are on the verge of being suspended as more children become infected.
In response to a demand from WHO officials that the Chinese government share “detailed information” on the illness, Chinese authorities said it is not a new virus but common winter illnesses causing the hospitalizations. The bugs are hitting harder due to lowered immune systems caused by pandemic restrictions.
“Chinese authorities advised that there has been no detection of any unusual or novel pathogens or unusual clinical presentations,” read an update from the WHO.
Nevertheless, the United Kingdom has signaled it may be considering a return to mandates like forced masking.
“We need to keep an open mind about the cause of any increased reporting of clusters of disease including of this illness in Chinese children,” said UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Professor Dame Jenny Harries, adding that UKHSA will “respond as more information becomes available.”
Harries has been leading an effort to develop a vaccine for the next pandemic which she said would be caused by “climate change.” Scientists in a British high-security laboratory have been developing vaccines for a new pandemic involving “Disease X.”
“What we’re seeing is a rising risk globally,” said Harries, adding, “And some of it is because of climate change where you get things like ticks and mosquitoes moving to where it was previously cold and is now becoming increasingly warm.”
