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Rumors coming from the Middle Empire arouse global attention. The latest is surprising to say the least: the partial containment of the Chinese population would not be attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic, but to an epidemic of zombies. While China continues to implement its zero covid strategy, videos published by tiktokers claim to show wandering zombies in the streets. These allegations, as sensational as they are, deserve special attention to understand their impact and veracity.
The origins of rumor: #Zombieenchine
The rumor has grown thanks to the hashtag #zombieenchinewhich has invaded social networks. Several videos circulate, showing disturbing scenes. Among them, two videos filmed in the Chinese metro show individuals with abnormal behavior, attracting millions of views. These videos claim to reveal the existence of an epidemic of zombies, reviving ancestral fears linked to the undead.
Another viral video shows a man in a hospital, pushing frightening cries. This has strengthened the belief that something inexplicable is going on in China. Finally, an article from the Breakflip-we.com site describes a scene where a person, allegedly deceased, rises from a mortuary bag. This phenomenon, known as the “Lazarus phenomenon”, although rare, is not without medical explanation.
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The figure of the zombie in the collective imagination
Zombies, these creatures from the collective imagination, have always fascinated and frightened. Although the popularity of the living dead has declined in the cinema and the series with the end of the great era of Walking Deadtheir symbolism remains strong. COVID-19 pandemic has rekindled memories of infection movies like 28 days laterwhere deserted cities mentioned a post-apocalyptic world. In addition, the economy has seen the term “zombie businesses” emerge, designating those that artificially survived thanks to government aid during confinement. Thus, the idea of zombies is deeply rooted in society and resurfaces in times of crisis.
The return of the living dead: between myth and reality
This is not the first time that pretending videos show zombies have shaken social networks. In 2017, just before Halloween, videos taken in Brazil showed people adopting strange behavior. These individuals were under the influence of “flakka” or “Bath Salt”, a drug causing frightening delusions. These cases show that the idea of zombies can often be a metaphor for real social or medical phenomena.
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The zombification phenomenon on social networks thus raises questions about our perception of reality and our propensity to imagine the worst in the face of the unknown. The fascination for zombies reveals deep fears, but also an insatiable curiosity for what escapes our understanding.
Impact of rumors on society and authorities
Zombie rumors in China have very real repercussions. They create an atmosphere of fear and mistrust, further complicating the management of the health crisis by the authorities. The latter must not only fight against the pandemic, but also against disinformation which is spreading at high speed on the Internet. Sensual videos, although often without foundation, highlight the power of social networks in the dissemination of information, whether checked or not.
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The Chinese authorities, accustomed to controlling information, are faced with a major challenge. How to manage the spread of so sensational rumors while maintaining the confidence of the population? This situation raises the question of the balance between transparency and information control, a crucial issue in our hyperconnected world.
The fascination for zombies seems to be a constant in our culture, reappearing with each major crisis. These rumors from China remind us of our need to understand and give meaning to the inexplicable. But how far can these myths influence our perception of reality? How to discern the true of the false in a world where the information circulates at a dizzying speed?
The author relied on artificial intelligence to enrich this article.
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