[World Now] Shanghai Corona Test Rejection Movement? Government “don’t give relief”

Green barbed wire installed at the entrance to the Shanghai house… “What the hell do you mean?” residents’ backlash

This is a view of downtown Shanghai as reported by Reuters on the 24th. A two meter high green barbed wire fence was installed around the building. Because of this, the entrance to the house was blocked, and the entire street was blocked. Barbed wire like this is growing all over Shanghai.

A video posted on Chinese social media WeChat showed a woman installing a barbed wire fence. “What the hell do you mean installing barbed wire?” she points out, “It’s a waste of resources.” She may be right about the woman. A video posted on social media Weibo showed a man squeezing through a narrow gap in the barbed wire installed at the entrance of an apartment building and slowly disappearing into the building. Why is it installed?

The PCR test rejection movement spreads… Government: “If you refuse inspection, there will be no aid”

I asked the residents of Shanghai. As the number of confirmed cases did not decrease under the quarantine situation and the lockdown showed no sign of lifting, some residents started refusing PCR testing. If there are even a few confirmed cases, the building or area is not lifted, so the fundamental question of ‘what’s good about getting tested?’ There are also rumors that he may have been infected while undergoing a PCR test.

Accordingly, it is known that the government has delivered to each region that it will not provide relief if it refuses to be inspected. The notice distributed to residents of Pudong New District on the 16th said, “People who undergo PCR can receive relief goods, including drinks such as cola, sweet potato snacks, milk tea, etc. worth 500 yuan (KRW 90,000).” . “If you refuse to be tested, you will be considered as giving up relief supplies,” he added. It was a self-help measure to have them undergo testing, but if they refused, they said that they would not even give out relief items that came occasionally, which made the residents even more angry. For this reason, it is explained that a barbed wire fence was installed to block protests from residents and prevent movement to obtain supplies.

Building a barbed wire fence despite local protests and conducting a ‘coronavirus total inspection’

A few days later, on the 23rd, the official policy of Pudong New Area was announced. The presentation will show how and for how long the barbed wire will be installed. Nucleic acid testing space must be guaranteed in the installation area, 24-hour security personnel must be deployed in the area, publicize and seek understanding from residents regarding installation, barbed wire installation must be completed by 24 hours on the 23rd, etc. After the barbed wire was installed, social media in China has been flooded with posts protesting the move. When the barbed wire is erected, it is impossible to receive relief items or items purchased by individuals from outside. Under this circumstance, the city of Shanghai announced yesterday that it would conduct a total COVID-19 test for all citizens.

The National Health Commission of China announced today (26th) that the number of confirmed cases in Shanghai was 16,980. About 2,600 fewer people than yesterday. At the beginning of this month, the Chinese state media Global Times reported positively that the infection reproduction index in Pudong, where there are many confirmed cases, dropped to less than 1, saying that the number of confirmed cases in Shanghai, about 27,000, was gradually dropping below 20,000. However, problems with long-term lockdown, such as the installation of forced barbed wire, are constantly popping up.

As of today’s announcement, there were 33 new infections in Beijing, where the cluster infection occurred last weekend. The cumulative number of infections was 103, with 69 in Chaoyang District, where the most confirmed cases were reported, 14 in Fangshan District, and 8 in Shunyi District. In addition to the Chaoyang District, which has been conducting a total inspection since yesterday, Beijing has ordered a total inspection in 11 districts. The population living in the 12 districts accounts for 90% of Beijing’s 21.88 million population, and most of Beijing’s citizens are expected to be tested. The city of Beijing has temporarily suspended cultural and artistic activities, sporting events, offline private education, and home interior construction.