The New York Times interviewed Prof. Minxin Pei, an expert in Chinese politics, about how the Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to limit discord over its sudden “zero Covid” pivot are being challenged. “The sudden 180-degree turn from ‘zero Covid’ has precipitated a new crisis for which the government needs to explain to the people,” Pei said.

In an opinion piece published by Bloomberg, Prof. Minxin Pei detailed how Chinese President Xi Jinping has been wounded by China’s Covid surge.

“The Chinese leader is already paying a price. For now at least, the chaotic reopening has derailed his agenda for his third term,” Pei wrote.

The Economist featured a research paper co-authored by Prof. Jessamyn Schaller showing that the shift to remote schooling during the pandemic led to a decrease in teen suicides. Forbes also featured the study.

In an op-ed for Nikkei Asia, Prof. Minxin Pei wrote that while the Chinese “government has strong incentives to hide the catastrophe” of Covid, it won’t be able to hide the death toll. Due to the widespread availability of digital technology, “Chinese people now can easily document and disseminate the true extent of the devastation caused by the Covid surge,” Pei wrote. “Despite censorship, savvy social media users are able to post pictures and video clips that put the lie to the official propaganda that only a tiny number of people have died of Covid.”

NBC4 shared the news that Claremont McKenna College’s Rose Parade^® float won the Golden State Award for most outstanding depiction of life in California.

The Claremont Courier featured Claremont McKenna College’s Rose Parade^® entry. “The float—a first for CMC—honored the school’s 75^th anniversary and featured Mt. Baldy. The theme focuses on the college’s mission to graduate students who will live thoughtful, productive lives and develop responsible leadership.”