Russell Luo and her family are locked in their apartment in Shanghai around the clock – except when it comes to the most important things such as collecting supplies and disposing of garbage.
The 35-year-old Toronto-born woman, her husband and three children, as well as millions of others in China’s most populous city, are in a new blockade as the government tries to curb the spread of COVID-19.
“From time to time, I start to feel like a very heavy burden, as if I’m going to fail,” Luo told Canadians interviewed by CBC News as China continued to pursue a zero-COVID-19 strategy that had been in place throughout the pandemic. .
Luo said its blockade began on March 10th. It was canceled for one day, after which they were told to stay at home again.
During this time, she tries to stay focused on the well-being of her children, who are nine, five and three years old.
The Luo family went on almost daily tests in Shanghai, China’s most populous city, which maintained a zero strategy for COVID-19 throughout the pandemic. (Submitted by Racelle Luo)
“It’s really hard not to let them go outside and run around,” she said.
“You’re worried about your children’s mental health.”
Although some measures are being eased in some areas, it is clear that the blockade on such a scale tore the nerves during the pandemic, which was officially announced by the World Health Organization more than two years ago.
“The belief that China can be zero COVID is definitely unattainable,” Luo said. “It’s an incredible dream and even if they get to COVID zero, it will definitely come back.”
Food rations are a must
Shanghai is China’s global financial center with a population of about 26 million. The city reported a record 3,590 symptomatic cases of COVID on April 15, along with 19,923 asymptomatic cases. A health official warned on Wednesday that Shanghai was not keeping the virus under control, despite easing some restrictions.
Shanghai residents are struggling to get food supplies such as meat and rice under anti-coronavirus control, which fuels frustration, especially in light of reports from online grocers that they are often sold out.
As the Chinese government distributes food rations to residents, the families interviewed by CBC News described the range of quality of the products they receive.
These are some of the foods given to the Luo family as China distributes rations during the blockade. (Contributed by Russell Luo)
Some of the meager number Luo had received had rotted.
Ruthie Chua, on the other hand, got fresh vegetables and once a whole chicken.
Some of the food rations that Ruthie Chua and her family received. Chua and her husband Daniel Nickel, who have two teenage sons, are from the Toronto area and moved to Shanghai in 2006 (Submitted by Ruthie Chua)
Chua and her husband Daniel Nickel are from the Toronto area and moved to Shanghai in early 2006. The couple and their 17-year-old and 13-year-old sons have been locked up for nearly two weeks and face a separate blockade weeks earlier.
It’s very difficult to get food. – Ruthie Chua
“It’s very difficult to get food,” Chua said.
Chua and her 17-year-old will start the morning at Chinese grocery apps and try to fill their online carts with food before supplies run out.
“The first time we did it, we succeeded [to get] about 20 things in our cart. In the end, we got three things: carrots, coriander and a jug of water. And we were excited about that, “Chua said.
The family accepted the situation calmly.
“Life goes on. I guess the big difference is that there’s a lot more time spent thinking and planning about food delivery,” Chua said.
Food becomes barter
Matt Doyon, his wife and three-year-old daughter have also been in isolation for weeks.
It was emotionally draining, even physically, I just couldn’t go out and walk around. “Matt Doyan.”
“I can’t deny it was emotionally draining, even physically exhausting, I just couldn’t go out and walk,” said an English teacher who lived in Mississauga, Ont., Before moving to Shanghai.
He said it was especially difficult for his young daughter.
Matt Doyon’s three-year-old daughter, shown here, can’t go out to play during the block, which can be frustrating. Doyon moved to Shanghai, Mississauga, Ontario. (Submitted by Matt Doyon)
I had to say, “No, honey, I’m sorry, we can’t go out and play.”
While his family managed to stock up on some things before staying in their apartment, Doyon made jam and bread and resorted to barter for some items.
Part of the bread Doyon earned during the weeks of blocking. Sometimes barter continues with others when certain items are missing. “People help each other as much as possible,” he said. (Submitted by Matt Doyon)
When the family ran out of water, a friend of Doyon’s, who had bought four 20-liter jugs of water, was short of coffee. Doyon, who describes himself as a Javanese, managed to make a deal.
“People are helping each other as much as possible,” he said.
As for the light at the end of the tunnel, Doyon said it was not clear – he expects to stay inside at least until early May.
“I agree [with the COVID-19 zero strategy] personal? No, I think this is a big reduction in human rights, “he said.
“But do I think it’s safe and will work in the end?” I have to hope. My daughter is too young to be vaccinated right now.
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