Beijing diary: Scenes of mass testing, panic buying – and pride?
Panic buying was in full swing at my local supermarket in Beijing’s central Chaoyang District – all the carts were taken and many vegetables were sold out. Store clerks in green vests were snapping photos of frenzied customers, overloaded with bags of cabbage, eggs, and meat.
“Everyone is scared!” said one shopper. “Prices are going up!” exclaimed another.
It was late Sunday night, and I had rushed to the store after getting a three-word text from a Chinese friend: “Buy more food!” News spread that authorities
