Coronavirus
“Is it aim to starve us?” – Shanghai’s mega lockdown is a tough test for people and the state
Empty shelves in a supermarket in Shanghai
© Hector Retamal / AFP
The people in the Chinese metropolis of Shanghai are in lockdown – which is significantly harder than in this country. In the meantime, doubts about the instrument are apparently growing, also because of several deaths.
Hardly understandable lockdown rules are causing increasing frustration in the Chinese metropolis of Shanghai and more and more critical statements in online networks. Actually, the strict lockdown lasting several days in the eastern part of the city of 25 million should have ended on Friday and one should have started in the western part. But many residents in the east were not allowed to leave their homes for the time being.
Whole districts in the western part were already quarantined on Thursday evening – although many people still wanted to stock up on food for the lockdown that was actually announced for Friday. On social media, Shanghainese voiced some criticism of the government measures of the past few days. “Is the aim of this lockdown to starve us?” asked an outraged user on the Chinese online network Weibo.
Food supply difficulties in Shanghai
Even state media reported “difficulties”, for example with the supply of food and medical care. Ma Chunlei, secretary-general of the Shanghai municipal government, apologized to the people for the inconvenience caused. The government underestimated the spread of the omicron variant, failed to prepare enough for the surge in new infections and caused difficulties for residents in closed-off areas. “We sincerely accept the criticism and are working on improvements,” said Ma Chunlei.
In Shanghai, the number of corona cases has recently skyrocketed. The Ministry of Health reported 7,200 new cases on Friday and around 5,600 new infections on Thursday.
After those responsible had long ruled out a lockdown due to the effects on the economy and international shipping, this was decided on Sunday evening as a complete surprise and at short notice. This had led to panic buying, which in turn caused prices to rise.
At least two dead from lockdown
The chronically ill no longer came to the hospital for treatment because they were unable to obtain the necessary special permits to leave their homes quickly. At least two dialysis patients and one asthma patient died as a result, according to their relatives in online networks.
In view of this situation, doubts about China’s strict zero-Covid strategy increased. Critics see Shanghai as another example of how this doesn’t work over the long term. With the arrival of Omicron, China is experiencing the worst corona wave since the pandemic began two years ago. Although the numbers are low by international comparison, the government is pursuing a zero-Covid strategy, which is being put to the test with the BA.2 variant. So far, the authorities had successfully combated minor outbreaks with curfews, mass testing and quarantine.