I'll get to China later, but will start with COVID-19 variants.  The key question is, do the various vaccines work to control them?    Not sure about the others, but, according to the CDC , all the vaccines authorized for use in the U.S. provide sufficient protection.  The caveat is that a few might get sick, but should survive. Here are some of the more concerning ones: B.1.1.7   United Kingdom     50% increased transmission B.1.351  South Africa            50% increased transmission B.1.427  California                20% increased transmissibility P.1          Brazil/Japan      P.2          Brazil B.1.617  India (there are four separate variants) There are more, and growing.  However, WHO has decided to better recognize them by using names based on the Greek alphabet .  The first four are variants of concern, while the other six are variants of interest. Alpha     B.1.1.1.7     UK Beta       B.1.351      South Africa Gamma  P.1             Brazil Delta      B.1.617.2    India Eps