Protests in Shanghai reveal public mistrust of ‘zero Covid’

At a bout noon last Tuesday, Yu Wenming, an 82-year-old man in Shanghai, called his local residential committee for help. “I’ve used up my medicines. Nor do I have anything to eat. I’m feeling awful,” Yu, who had tested positive for Covid, told the party secretary, Zhang Zhen.

Zhang said he had already referred the case to his superiors and there was nothing he could do. “Do you mean I should just wait here until