02-12-2022, 03:44 PM
Some communities in Chinese cities where Covid-19 is still spreading are easing off on testing requirements and quarantine rules ahead of an expected shift in virus policies nationwide after widespread social unrest.
The uneven relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions is, however, fuelling fear among some residents who suddenly feel more exposed to a disease authorities had consistently described as deadly until this week.
Pharmacies in Beijing say purchases of N95 masks, which offer a much higher degree of protection than the single-use surgical type, have gone up this week. Some people wearing N95s on Friday said they got them from their employers.
Such cautious behaviour bodes ill for consumer-facing businesses and factories in large Covid-hit cities whose workers are hoping to stay virus-free at least until they return to their families in the countryside for the Chinese New Year.
The elderly, many of whom are still unvaccinated, feel the most vulnerable.
Shi Wei, a Beijing resident suffering from lymphatic cancer, spends most of his time isolating, but still worries about getting Covid-19 and giving it to his 80-year-old mother as he goes out for hospital treatment every three weeks.
“I can only pray God protects me,” he said.
More at https://shrtco.de/rZkmA
The uneven relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions is, however, fuelling fear among some residents who suddenly feel more exposed to a disease authorities had consistently described as deadly until this week.
Pharmacies in Beijing say purchases of N95 masks, which offer a much higher degree of protection than the single-use surgical type, have gone up this week. Some people wearing N95s on Friday said they got them from their employers.
Such cautious behaviour bodes ill for consumer-facing businesses and factories in large Covid-hit cities whose workers are hoping to stay virus-free at least until they return to their families in the countryside for the Chinese New Year.
The elderly, many of whom are still unvaccinated, feel the most vulnerable.
Shi Wei, a Beijing resident suffering from lymphatic cancer, spends most of his time isolating, but still worries about getting Covid-19 and giving it to his 80-year-old mother as he goes out for hospital treatment every three weeks.
“I can only pray God protects me,” he said.
More at https://shrtco.de/rZkmA