When will Shanghai’s ‘floodwaters’ recede?
April’s (soon to be May’s) COVID-LOCKDOWN
“What, we’ve got three positive cases?!” I snapped, holding a box of government handouts Friday afternoon. “That’s right,” our unofficial bureaucratic representative — the neighborhood busybody, an aunty on the first floor confirmed.
Being whisked away to a quarantine center led to panic and an angry cry, “乱七八糟 — This is utter chaos! ” Using one of a slew of new terms, I asked, “Are we still considered the ‘precautionary area’ and allowed out beyond our building’s gate?” Her answer was typical of the times, “Yes, and no. Yes, we are. But the guidelines follow the stricter ‘controlled area’ rules.” Me, “So, no, we aren’t.” “Yes,” she replied. After a moment, adding, “And, no.” “Bullsh*t” I snapped in English. She answered with an ‘en’, meaning, “Yes.” Don’t need to speak a language to understand dissatisfaction. Ready to rant a touch longer, Aunty Pang pointed at my crouch, “A crushed container of tofu is dripping down your pants.” To her Scottish Terrier licking up liquid bean curd, Aunty Pang ordered in the little English she knew — and the only language the dog can understand, “Duffy, go home.” Taking the hint, I muttered, “This is utter chaos…” and taking Duffy’s lead, I also went home.
Dynamic Clearance’s 3 Levels
“Locked Down” (can’t leave your apartment)
“Controlled” (can’t leave your complex)
“Precautionary” (can leave, but please don’t)
Removing gloves and a mask under my wife’s watchful gaze, while showering in a spraying mist of sanitizer I was reassured, “It is probably the block across the way, relax.” I took a deep breath. The quarantine centers, or ‘box cabin’ as they are called in Chinese, where they are currently warehousing the asymptomatic — would be a nightmare. Having a positive case in our building would add another two weeks to our ‘house arrest’ sentence. The next day it was discovered our neighbors were false-positive. Even though they once accused me of accidentally pilfering their deliveries, I’d not wish such an unnecessary sentence upon anyone. People didn’t necessarily fear the virus. People feared the policy.
I imagine many of you can relate to the above as varying degrees of lockdowns have been happening for quite some time around the world. Others may be thinking, “Welcome to the party, pal.” (B. Willis) If so, I begrudgingly accept the membership. Though, I believe few if any included a free pass to a quarantine warehouse staycation.
Head-to-toe Hazmat suits are more common a sight than people dressed in normal attire. At first. I wanted to volunteer as one of the ‘dabai’ or Big Whites, nicknamed after a Pixar cartoon character — better to be part of the solution than a bitter voice against, right? But then, I thought, will I be asked to do what I may not agree with? Will I be labeling homes of the infected with tape labeled, “Join forces in solidarity”? As a Japanese friend and volunteer said, “I do it for my adopted city, to offer reassurance and a kind voice during tough times.” Good person. A 4-day commitment has been stretched to 28.
In pairs, the Big Whites call us down with bullhorns, “Building 42, come down and get tested!” Aunty Pang follows by shouting from the first floor to the fifth, “A’wen, xia lai!” (Kevin, come on down!) Sad, but it is a break from our cells, a chance to ‘walk the yard’. Two meters apart, we head to a local middle school. Quick, efficient, done in ten. The bullhorn’s squawk is as a regular as the bird’s that sing outside my window.
When testing first began on April 1st, the line was an hour-long, many ignoring distancing. Logic was on the stand — wouldn’t having all residents come out at the same time for testing increase the chance of spread? I live on a leafy-green street, a quiet reprieve from the more touristy-end. Then, as if entranced by the pied piper of pandemics, we came out on mass, waiting to be led to a cotton-swabbing decision: positive or negative? Greeting neighbors long not seen, it was almost a jovial atmosphere, on a gorgeous sunny day.
We were to be locked down for four days. With a few days’ notice, I rushed to different import shops, wet markets, etc., planning on four days, but prepping for longer. People pushed. Feet were crushed. Shelves were emptied. But, there was plenty of ‘excuse me’ and ‘sorry about that’ to match. Since that time, the April Fool’s joke long played out, logistics and deliveries came snarling to a halt. Food has come in the form of government hand-outs and community-organized group purchases. Their quality and availability vary greatly across the city. Speaking to a friend last night I could hear a loud clattering in the background. My friend’s answer, “They received bad meat and the complex is banging pots and pans to express their dissatisfaction.” When I asked if she planned on banging, she simply stated, “We have food. We stay quiet.” Living in the former French Concession, one of the trendier parts of Shanghai, we are more fortunate than others. When boxes arrive, we hear a neighborhood Big White call out, “Apartment 302!” or “Apartment 401,” and in our case, simply, “Kevin!”
People from back home share stories, often asking, “Are you seeing this?” Yes, whatever you see back home, I can see here. First, I use a VPN, which allows access beyond the Great Fire Wall — the new challenge is every-increasing paywalls. Second, the Chinese are as savvy as any with social media and sharing what the great River Crab (a euphemism in Chinese for harmony, or harmonizing, ‘inappropriate’ material) has yet to devour. Third, I understand Chinese. This allows me to read the local news, both official and unofficial, hear commentary, and understand quiet acts of expression. Chinese in general are more subtle when it comes to swimming against the stream. Sarcasm and irony side by side, supporting video and comments get across their thoughts: “Les Misérables” and “1984” (think 2+2=5) and local videos such as “Voices of April” — black & white aerial footage of Shanghai acting as the backdrop, recordings of citizens airing their grievances can be heard. Separating infected children from their parents had the city on furious feet — fortunately, leading to a quick squashing of the ill-advised policy. The brutal culling of a corgi pup released a wave of digital indignation, and organizations came together to assist. The city is angry. The city is anxious. The country is watching and waiting, wondering, what’s the next card to be played.
While Americans value freedom above all else, the Chinese hold stability in the highest regard. Fear of infection. Forced quarantine. Lack of food. The current situation is putting greater emphasis on the former while testing the latter.
We’ve been on lockdown for 28 days. Those across the river, for 32. Others 40 plus.
Finger to the pulse of the nation, it feels as though most provinces believe Shanghai is receiving its comeuppance, a prima madonna who believes it is always better than the rest. “Stay home and shut up! Xi’an did. Nanjing did. So can you!”
But, Shanghai is known as a city of revolutionaries and intellects, where ideas rise and policies are questioned. It is China’s international showcase and an economic powerhouse. It isn’t easy to ‘stay home and shut up’ when you’ve got such notions running rampant. Perhaps the reaction towards Shanghai is similar to NYC in early 2020 when it was hit the hardest and many voices were saying they deserved it. It was political. It was ideological. Similar here. Shanghai is being blamed. Shanghainese are unwelcome and shunned. Though, as humans have a short attention span, I’m happy to point out — in the beginning, those from Wuhan (my wife) were feared and ostracized. Then it was framed as a foreign problem, and we were shamed — alongside frozen imported salmon. Now, it is Shanghai’s turn. Who will be next? As it is Omicron, I expect there will be more than a single option.
What does the future hold? Well, unofficially, officially, China is facing double-secret probation. Guesstimates are approximately three months’ time to overcome three major challenges: 1. A low number of vaccinated elderly (concerns of vaccine side effects and little to no danger of COVID kept it so); 2. Importing a vaccine with higher efficacy; 3. Upgrading medical facilities around the nation to better prepare for the wave that must eventually come.
The government has done an incredible job of keeping the virus at bay for the past two years, allowing the majority of its citizens to live a fairly normal life. Now, it may be time to reconsider COVID zero policies for more dynamic ones — hard isolation (related to green fences, aka, cages that are popping up), societal zero, fluid, etc…new terminology is released on a daily basis.
I recently read an analogy that compared the pandemic to a river, a rough one that needs to be crossed. The rest of the world has managed or is just about to cross, some treading water heads barely about the surface. Beaten and battered, but reaching the other bank, they’re readying to heal. Shanghai attempted to be ahead of the Chinese curve, and began to strap on their swimming trunks. Perhaps it is the international feel and its past that allows its people to embrace the new, to test the old, the liberals of a very conservative ancient culture. But, the boys up north had other plans. Quickly wrapping Shanghai in a banner that reads: “Zero Cases 4 Life!”, it has guaranteed life will continue ahead as is for the time being.
Neighbors have created ‘share boxes’. Apartment 301 is posting her latest recipe. Aunty Pang’s Duffy is my animal therapy. Friends from a more liberal complex have delivered via bicycle salami, Jameson, and chocolate Tim Tam (the essentials!) Seeing a familiar family of four pedaling forward, smiling behind their masks, brings a wonderful sense of normality. On my daily post-dawn jaunt, an eldery gentleman from the building next door and I make it a point to greet each other with a “Zaoshanghao” (good morning), followed by a “mingtianjian” (See you tomorrow). We understand the importance of being human, maintaining a connection with society, one that is becoming rather frayed. We remind one another that there is a tomorrow.
The situation continues to spread. I hope that other cities learn from Shanghai’s challenges and continue to tweak regulations and control measures with a gentler touch. I’m ready to once again reconnect with the rest of the world, and I’m sure much of China is as well.
My wife and I, our meals are had together,
becoming our tasty, fattening tether.
While much of society has decided to accept it as is and simply ‘lie flat’,
Others are willing to stand and say, “Life is not one hidden within a sweaty ol’ Hazmat!”
Building 42’s OBW (Original Big Whitey),
Kevin
