These stories are part of Global Voices’ special coverage of COVID-19 and offer a view on the pandemic from the perspective of our global community of contributors.
Stories about COVID-19
China faces a rough road to ending its zero-COVID policies
Under the zero-COVID policy, public resources have been spent on PCR tests, building quarantine facilities, propaganda, and controlling people's movement rather than vaccinations or improving medical infrastructures.
Istanbul's Uyghur community protest outside the Chinese Consulate despite the cost of reprisals
Today's demonstration comes at a great risk amid fears of retribution for the members of the Uyghur community living in Turkey.
Soaring food prices and funding shortfalls add to growing food insecurity in Uganda’s refugee settlements
"The agency is aware that conflicts may arise when refugees don’t get enough to eat. Food shortages can cause tension and anxiety, which can threaten peaceful coexistence between refugees and host communities" said Frank Walusimbi, the associate communications officer at UNHCR.
China’s zero-COVID policy sparks rare country-wide protests
"...I am the one who jumped from the highrise; I am the victim trapped in the fire. If I am not there yet, I will be the next one."
What role does the Chinese government play in the latest Foxconn workers protest?
The recent protests had taken place against the backdrop of the exploitative labor conditions.
Is Hong Kong really “back in business” from COVID-19 control rules?
Hong Kong declared that the city is “back in business”, but refused to revoke public health emergency status. Mandatory tests, mask-wearing, venue check-in, and group gathering restrictions are still in place.
Will Algeria ease the chill of a looming European winter?
As the leading African gas exporter to Europe, is Algeria actually capable of compensating for the shortage of Russian gas supplies to the EU? And is it willing to cooperate?
COVID-related fear and rumors in Foxconn factory drive workers to flee
Numerous witness accounts suggested that it was fear generated from rumours, COVID-related misinformation and closed-loop factory management that drove the workers to run.
Explaining the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of China: Security and safety
The CPC's definition of safety/security is vital to the building of a surveillance state.
China censors online chatter after anti-Xi Jinping protest; Hong Kong media muted
Keywords such as #Haidian, #Sitong bridge, #Beijing, and even #I-saw-it were censored on Chinese social media.
Hong Kong’s wealth gap reaches ‘tipping point’ under COVID as unemployment rises among poor
The pandemic has worsened Hong Kong’s wealth gap, with the city’s poorest making 47 times less than its wealthiest residents. In the pre-COVID-19 era, the highest earners made 34.3 times more.
Hong Kong attempts to reconnect with the world by relaxing COVID-19 travel restrictions
Starting September 26, 2022, incoming travelers will no longer be required to undergo mandatory hotel quarantine. Instead, they will have to undergo 3-day medical surveillance, a week of COVID testing, and more.
Far from home, alone: Cambodian students share life in Thailand during the pandemic lockdown
"We didn't have relatives here, and we were anxious about what to do if we became infected. We have been far away from home."
Macau: The world’s gambling hub tumbles over China’s anti-corruption campaign and zero-COVID policy
China has tightened supervision over Macau's gaming sector to curb cash outflow and money laundering.
Digital authoritarianism in Bangladesh: Weaponising a draconian law to silence dissent in the pandemic era
The COVID-19 pandemic provided the government with a pretext to censor free speech, harass critics, and effectively curb dissent – accelerating what has been an ongoing turn towards authoritarianism in Bangladesh.
Vietnam’s Zalo Connect app: Digital authoritarianism hidden in peer-to-peer aid platforms
The app connects users in need with private donors. It exemplifies a humanitarian trend that centres on extracting data from vulnerable communities as a precondition to receiving aid.
Hong Kong set to implement a China-style health code and contact-tracing app
Hong Kong may adopt a health code system similar to the mainland Chinese three-colour version to curb the latest outbreak of COVID infections, according to the city's new health chief.
Jamaica announces its first case of monkeypox
The country has learned a lot from the COVID-19 pandemic — but could people be getting more complacent about the risks of infectious disease?
Indonesia's Covid tracker app PeduliLindungi: To care for and protect?
As PeduliLindungi and the government continue to fumble in its operations, one needs to ask: Is PeduliLindungi really caring for and protecting the Indonesian public?
The Caribbean's ‘looming’ food security storm suddenly seems more threatening
It is estimated that there are as many as 2.8 million people — nearly 40 percent of the population — suffering from food insecurity in the English-speaking Caribbean, most of them from low-income households.
What the world needs now: A new deal in a reformed global economic system
"The prosperous East Asian nations (Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong, and China at the lower income margins) have been the greatest assets for growth of the world system for some time now."
