A video of a distraught man trying to flee four hazmat-wearing officials at a detention centre in Shanghai is circulating..The strict COVID-19 phased lockdowns began for Shanghai’s 26 million residents in late March and early April as authorities seek to reduce the spread of the virus with its “Zero COVID” policy..Chinese officials promised the two-phased lockdowns would last no more than eight days, but have been extended a number of times and is still ongoing..This footage, along with many other videos released from Shanghai residents, shows the month-long lockdown has become unbearable for many, as reported by the UK’s Daily Mail..The video shows a Caucasian man trying to get away from four people dressed in protective hazmat suits. The man appears to be speaking in other languages at first, but begins to repeatedly yell, “I want to die.”.“You came to China, you need to respect the laws and regulations here,” one of the people trying to restrain the man said..“Calm down, calm down,” said another..As the man struggled to free himself from the four individuals restraining him, he continued to yell, “I want to die.”.“Nobody cares,” he yelled..“I’m going to kill myself. I’m going to kill myself. I’m going to kill myself now. It doesn’t matter, look. I’m going to kill myself.”.At one point, after it appeared the man had calmed down and the group lightened their grip on him, the man tried to run but came to a metal barrier and was again detained..The Daily Mail reported the location of the video was unknown, but those sharing it on social channels say it was recorded in Shanghai..Widespread mandatory testing has been implemented and anyone testing positive is required to enter strict isolation. Green metal barriers have been put up around the city to shut down areas and stop the spread of COVID-19.It’s been reported that food markets and grocery stores have been closed for weeks in Shanghai leading to desperate food and medicine shortages..Other videos on social media show health workers rounding up and destroying residents’ pets..Beijing, as of Friday, will close schools and cancel all weddings and funerals in an effort to avoid a Shanghai-style lockdown, reported The Guardian on Thursday..Although cases in China’s capital city of 22 million are still considered low at about 150, citizens are preparing for a lockdown which has led to widespread stockpiling and food shortages..City officials announced Wednesday individuals taking advantage of the outbreak for profit will face serious fines..Mass testing has also been ordered in Beijing this week along with restrictions placed on some residential buildings, offices, a university and several closures of venues..Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,mrisdon@westernstandard.news,.Twitter.com/MelRisdon
