China:People protest for food in lockdown Shanghai, respite unlikely

In China, Financial hub Shnaghai is battling the worst Covid-19 outbreak, pushing practically 26 million residents into lockdown. Shanghai on Thursday reported over 27,000 Covid-19 cases including 2,573 symptomatic infections, a record number for a day, as President Xi Jinping said that the country must continue with its strict “dynamic Covid clearance” policy and pandemic control measures. The mainland Covid-19 numbers were also the highest: 29,317 cases including 2,999 symptomatic cases, according to the national health commission’s (NHC) daily bulletin released on Thursday morning.  According to several reports, residents of Shanghai are witnessing a shortage of essential items, including medical supplies. Residents battling to secure delivery slots for their food are also facing surging prices which the government is keen to keep a lid on.

Many Twitter users have flooded the micro-blogging site with videos showing peoles anger, screaming from their windows for help. 

Meanwhile in China's #Shanghai, Municipal Party Committee Li Qiang Jin was visiting the lockdown situation in the residential district. When they're filming down in the street, suddenly the residents from their homes desperately shouted "help, help, help, we have nothing to eat". pic.twitter.com/IsUgN550uq

— WumaoHub (@WumaoHub) April 12, 2022

A US talk show host said on Twitter, "...people are jumping to their doom to avoid starvation/lockdown while Covid + pets are clubbed in public. If you think our prosperity/modernity will save us from authoritarian brutality, think again," a journalist claimed.

Shanghai is 97% literate, wealthiest city in China, and even has a Disneyland. Yet people are jumping to their doom to avoid starvation/lockdown while Covid + pets are clubbed in public. If you think our prosperity/modernity will save us from authoritarian brutality think again.

— Steve Deace (@SteveDeaceShow) April 14, 2022

Authorities warned on Wednesday that anyone who violates Covid-19 lockdown rules would be dealt with strictly. However, a man allegedly violated Covid lockdown norms in Shanghai and approached a policeman, begging him to arrest him so that he would have something to eat in jail.

This man in Shanghai deliberately violated Covid lockdown and approached to the cop begging the cop to arrest him so that he will be in jail having some food to eat #China #TheGreatTranslationMovement #大翻译运动 pic.twitter.com/NJQ0AP6qqw

— Bin Xie （解滨）#TheGreatTranslationMovement (@bxieus) April 12, 2022

A report said that patients at makeshift hospitals complained of unsanitary conditions there. "There are no masks, no medical alcohol, no disinfection. Look at the garbage, toilets," the report quoted a person as explaining the situation at makeshift hospitals.