52 TIME January 31/February 7, 2022
employees still inside. Government offi cials lugged in bed-
ding and food for the stranded workers, who will likely only
be allowed to leave once they test negative after a designated
period of time. The home of the offi ce worker who tested
positive was sealed off as well, and neighbors were tested.
While the measures seem extreme, they appear to work,
at least according to the latest government COVID-19 tallies,
which political and public health leaders have criticized for
downplaying the actual impact of the pandemic. If accurate,