China's Lingering Covid Shadows: Five Years On

Residents of Shanghai reflect on their experiences post-lockdown, revealing deep emotional scars and unending challenges.

As the fifth anniversary of the global Covid-19 pandemic approaches, residents of Shanghai are still grappling with the long-term effects of one of the world's strictest lockdowns. Five years ago, the city's infamous lockdown impacted millions, leaving emotional scars and disturbing memories that linger on.

In the heart of Shanghai lies the nearly deserted Menghua Jie, or Dream Flower Street, where the remnants of the 2022 lockdown remain evident. Fu Aiying, the owner of a local stir-fry restaurant, is one of the few remaining voices in a neighborhood that has witnessed profound changes. The hustle and bustle of the area has been replaced with an unsettling silence, as boarded-up storefronts stand as reminders of businesses forced to close their doors.

Fu's own journey during the lockdown was particularly harrowing. For 39 days, she lived in a mass quarantine center, stripped of her freedoms and her sense of normalcy. The loss of community was palpable. Many neighbors have relocated, often fearing resurgence and further restrictions. The government plans to demolish their iconic homes. As she recounts her ordeal, Fu expresses a sense of loss that transcends physical possessions. “Since my time in quarantine, I don’t have a temper anymore. I don’t have a personality anymore," she says, tears welling in her eyes.

The effects of the pandemic reach beyond individual experiences. Residents who once took pride in Shanghai as a symbol of prosperity faced shortages in food and medical supplies amidst the saturated climate of fear and uncertainty. The emotional residues from these experiences interplay with a broader sense of social isolation and psyche that many will carry for the rest of their lives.

As officials dismantle old barriers, the echoes of 2022 remain, resonating within a community still searching for answers and healing. The aftermath of the lockdown not only changed the skyline of Shanghai but irrevocably altered the lives of those who call it home.