Since the party leadership stopped trying to lock the virus out of the country, China seems to be heading for a huge wave of infections. But most Chinese are surprisingly calm about their government’s change of course.
A printed A4 note hangs on the front door of a pharmacy in Shanghai’s old French colonial district. “Only small amounts of cough relievers and anti-inflammatories in stock,” it says. “Fever-reducing drugs, cold preparations, antigen tests, vitamin C, etc. are completely sold out.” Despite the warning, a customer sticks his head in the door every five minutes and wants to know if there really is nothing left. The saleswomen then just nod silently – there really isn’t anything left. “It’s been like this for days,” says one, shaking her head.