BEIJING – C hina is facing problems with stockpiling after it relaxed its most severe COVID-19 policies last week. People have been rushing to buy ibuprofen, cold medicines and COVID testing kits amid reports of shortages. Products for home remedies are now largely unavailable online, including lemons and canned peaches rich in vitamin C, and electrolysed water. Hoarding has been a common global issue but this may be the first instance of it after lockdowns were eased. In China, as elsewhere in the world, it has been common to see people sharing pictures online of bare grocery aisles in major cities ahead of strict “stay at home” orders being imposed. But now the country has eased track-and-trace rules, and has allowed people to self-isolate at home and self-test for the virus, people appear to be panic-buying medicines in anticipation of a winter wave. Local governments have been urged to upgrade their ICU units and open fever clinics by the end of the month “in preparation for waves of infection”. And there are already signs that the health system is being quickly overwhelmed. Video has circulated this week of patients being hooked up to IV drips from their cars “as clinics are full”. (BBC)
