From 2 different sources, I've got info that the reason why N. Korea is reporting zero COVID19 problems is because they're putting a bullet through the head of every person they suspect of having it. You want to drive a great isolation program (and under-reporting result), let people watch their loved ones get a bullet through the skull if someone has a fever or starts coughing.

The Chinese have full control of their internet space. The last time they had any sort of problems with VPNs was in the 2014-15 timeframe.

I should caveat that I don't think that there are 9 million deaths today, there will be 9 million deaths during this 'phase' of COVID19 for them. So, the victims may be in some state of suffering/deterioration.

As far as fear for my life... if you've ever seen the Netflix series Narcos, the Columbians have had an active contract on me in the past due to some of my hacking efforts. The Chinese Communists don't scare me.