Corporate COVID Cultures

Abstract

In early 2020, China closed many of its factories in response to the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2, signaling an early commitment to what is now called its “zero COVID strategy.” A friend who works for a shipping company didn’t understand or support this decision, arguing that it was irresponsible for the Chinese government to implement such a strict shutdown when so much of the global economy depends on Chinese manufactured things. China is often stereotyped as a mass producer of cheap clothes and home goods, but many of the world’s most advanced technological components, things like batteries and computer chips, are also made there, as well as facemasks and other protective equipment. The world, we were told, needed these factories to stay open.