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Related: Lockdown Learning, discuss home schooling during lockdown.
NHS Coronavirus information. Information from gov.uk. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have health concerns, please seek medical attention.
Related: Lockdown Learning, discuss home schooling during lockdown.
Covid
A View From Lockdown in China
Uberfoodie · 21/03/2020 04:07
I’ve now been in isolation for two months in China. It may surprise you to learn that I am not in Wuhan, or even Hubei Province, but Wuxi, a city in Jiangsu, over 700 Km away from the epicenter of the virus.
The impression created in the Western media is that by asking the residents of one city to self-isolate, China managed to bring the outbreak under control. It’s a dangerous misconception leading to a cavalier attitude and the false assumption that putting London in lockdown would somehow make things right. The truth is that China’s measures went far beyond anything imaginable in Western cultures and extended, at the worst of the epidemic, from Guangdong Province in the South to beyond Beijing in the North.
News of the virus made little impact outside of Hubei until shortly before Chinese New Year. The holiday is a time of mass migration when workers in the cities generally return to their hometowns to visit family. Faced with the prospect of millions of people moving around the country and potentially spreading the virus further, on January 23rd we went into official lockdown.
Initially we were told that the week-long New Year Holiday would be extended by a few days but as time passed and schools were closed indefinitely, we realized that we were in for the long haul. Today, two months later, some of the stricter controls here are starting to be relaxed but we are still in lockdown mode. Our business, a restaurant is still closed by order and this will not be reviewed until April 1st at the earliest. There is no confirmed date for schools reopening and movement is still highly restricted.
Overnight, the security guards at the gate of our complex were equipped with thermometers and our temperatures were taken each time we passed. Registering an elevated temperature carried a constant fear of being reported to the authorities and quarantined. We were fortunate in being allowed relatively unrestricted access to and from our home but for many of our friends, only one person per apartment was allowed out to buy supplies every two or three days. No deliveries were allowed into the complex and a makeshift collection point was set up at the gates. No visitors were allowed and social gatherings prohibited. All cars were stopped on roads and highways as police conducted detailed questioning about recent movements and checked temperatures. Long distance travel between provinces was either suspended or reduced.
The Chinese mobilized technology to establish highly sophisticated movement and contact tracing. There is almost universal usage of WeChat (social media) and AliPay (payment system) here so everyone was required to register and give a detailed description of their current location and recent travel history. Based on this we received a QR code and our estimated risk-level. We needed to scan this to gain access to a supermarket or public building. As a result, I have friends who received a knock on their doors and were taken into official quarantine for two weeks because someone on their incoming flight or in the supermarket at the same time had tested positive for the virus. A friend has just returned from Europe (a day before mandatory quarantine for returning European travellers was imposed) and is now in compulsory lockdown in her apartment. Movement is monitored by app; the complex management has electronically sealed her windows and doors. Trapped with 4 children and with her husband who had not travelled moving into a hotel to avoid quarantine, this is unbelievably hard to navigate in good spirits but she understands, as do we all, that it’s necessary. If it all sounds very 1984, that’s because it is! But ultimately this testing, contact tracing, and shutting down chains of transmission, is what stopped the virus from spreading.
In spite of this use of technology, one hangover from the early days of the Mao era is the habit of physically pasting notices and public announcements onto the doors of homes. As such we learned within hours of the lockdown that all weddings and funerals (or at least attendance at funerals) were to be cancelled, the wearing of protective masks was compulsory and that financial incentives would be offered to those who reported undocumented travellers from Hubei province. There has been much discussion about the efficiency of using surgical masks but one thing is for certain, the physical act of having to put on a mask, wearing it and seeing others do so, focuses the mind! It is impossible to “forget” that there is an epidemic. It never feels ok to drop your guard and as such, remembering to wash your hands thoroughly and use sanitizer and wipes becomes second nature. That small strip of surgical mask becomes a constant reminder of potential danger and the need to protect yourself and those around you.
Pharmacies were immediately prohibited from selling any pain/fever/symptom relief medication; the logic being that self-medication was detrimental to the public good and that anyone displaying symptoms should be under the care of the medical profession, allowing cases to be documented and all contacts traced. This caused us endless problems as our daughter is currently staying with us. She is an AS sufferer who came from the UK for the holidays and has since been trapped! As she is on a schedule of TNF inhibitors she is immune-compromised and as such is in a high-risk category. Flying (on the one or two routes still open) was too risky. Now that the danger is subsiding at this end, flying back into an uncertain situation in the UK seems equally challenging. We found extraordinary generosity from friends who shared what medical supplies they had. In Wuhan, HIV patients, who are often vilified and ostracized in society, willingly donated their meds to trial therapies in an act of selfless compassion that was truly humbling.
Regardless of politics or social conditioning, what we have witnessed from the Chinese people in the past two months has really been the best of humanity. There was some anxiety regarding sourcing of masks (and price gouging until the government announced penalties for anyone attempting to) but this was quite simply a result of over a billion people suddenly needing them! Other than that, we have been limited to using three small shops within walking distance but have never experienced shortages or lack of availability of the basics – even toilet paper! There has always been fresh fruit and veg – maybe not what we would like but enough to keep us healthy! Yes admittedly, it helps that I am in lockdown with a Michelin starred chef who can turn a lentil, a chickpea and a bean into a feast, but basically this was down to the Chinese people who acted responsibly and were satisfied with “enough” rather than stock-piling or hoarding. My social media contacts have been uplifting and informative and there has generally been a phenomenal spirit of community and pulling together as a society in the fight against the virus. The cynical would call this propaganda, and much of it was certainly State driven or sanctioned but on a personal level, it’s far better for mental health than the venomous pit of Facebook conspiracy theories and rumours.
Without doubt, the past two months have been devastating; the business that we have run for 12 years is decimated and will never recover. We’ve been isolated, cut off from the medical care that two of we three desperately need and our daughter has faced the uncertainty of being isolated here and anxious about her friends and boyfriend in the UK. Our present has been put on indefinite hold and our future looks increasingly uncertain but that’s what it took to bring this virus under control and save lives.
We rightly value the freedoms that Western democracies afford us and so many of the measures adopted in China will be impossible to implement. But if we cherish that freedom we also have to accept that it is a social contract and only functions if we individually and as a society contribute positively and act responsibly.
To those expressing anger, hatred or even violence against others, please think about what entire nations have endured to halt the spread of this virus and instead of negativity, be thankful.
To those downplaying the seriousness of this virus and posting on internet boards about their toddler really needing his play date, asking if the supermarket manager will realize they are a special case and allow them to buy six packs of dried pasta, or saying that their parents cannot do without seeing their grandchildren because they really love them, please define “love”. Is it tonight’s dinner or tomorrow’s visit, or is it about doing whatever it takes to keep our loved ones safe, no matter the personal cost.
CuriousNurse · 21/03/2020 04:23
Thank you for sharing this.
I think many of us in the West suspected that China had used strict and unethical means to contain people. I understand there's also a suggestion that China's death toll has been vastly under reported.
I'm so sorry about your restaurant business, and for all you've been through. It's devastating.
Take care OP, I'm sending good wishes from the UK! 
shawarmasue · 21/03/2020 04:32
I'm glad you posted on here - we need to hear about our your story and from all round the world .. keep writing and sharing..
Uberfoodie · 21/03/2020 04:35
Thank you CuriousNurse! You must be over-stretched and challenged as never before at the moment but still took time to reach out and show kindness. When the world is in such turmoil, we need to learn how to value that!
I posted in the hope that people might understand just what it really takes to get this virus under control. Now is not a time to be selfish or try to find some reason as to why safety measures don't apply. It's going to take a lot of resolve and everyone pulling together to come out of this and maybe, if we learn to appreciate the small acts of compassion and to think about our communities rather than just our own immediate needs, we will actually emerge better for it!
FredaFrogspawn · 21/03/2020 04:40
This is so informative. Thank you for posting and the best of wishes to you and your family.
Mummyoflittledragon · 21/03/2020 05:04
Thank you for sharing with us. Such a sobering account. You write beautifully. I hope when you come out of lock down you will stay safe.
sofato5miles · 21/03/2020 05:09
An incredible insight, thank you. The social tracking is a technology i can't even imagine
dontaskformedicaladviceonmn · 21/03/2020 05:11
From our little island the footage of your lockdown looked quite extreme. Now it’s here I wish our government would follow the actions taken in China. It sounds very difficult to endure but, without extreme measures, we will all pay the ultimate price.
Thank you for sharing this.I hope you and your family stay well.
justilou1 · 21/03/2020 05:17
Thank you so much for sharing this! I live in Australia and there is so much misinformation being fed to us by our government. Our healthcare workers and teachers are terrified because they know how thoroughly unprepared we are, and how deliberately slow our government has been to respond. You are correct that the impression that we have been fed regarding the Chinese response is completely different to the reality. Thank you again for sharing!!!
fairydustandpixies · 21/03/2020 05:28
Wow. That's a very sobering account, thank you for sharing your story.
The very best of wishes to you and your family and I hope things improve for you all.
SilverShins · 21/03/2020 05:31
Thank you, good luck when you come out the other side. I think it's safe to that nothing will be as it was for any of us!😔
PetrovaFossil1 · 21/03/2020 05:39
To add some additional context from Hong Kong which is somewhere between China and the UK in terms of government. Schools and museums and tourist attraction here have also been closed since Chinese New Year in late January, and government offices asked all employees to work from home until 2nd March. Other businesses were allowed to remain open and shops, restaurants etc have not been made to close but the message has been that people are strongly recommended to socially distance themselves and focus on hygiene (masks have only been suggested if you are sick).
I think because SARS was so painful for the city everyone immediately followed these directions. Despite it not being mandatory 99% of people were in masks everywhere and almost all businesses asked their employees to work from home. All residential and commercial buildings have been disinfecting communal spaces every 2 hours and many businesses have been taking your temperature before they let you enter.
People were voluntarily staying away from each other and from gatherings, and until a week or so ago it seemed the transmission had stabilised at c.150 cases which is astonishing in a city of 7.5 million people and the 2nd most densely populated place in the world.
Then, once the situation globally deteriorated many of the expat HK residents who had fled to US/EU/AUS once the virus first presented here returned to HK and have not followed the same practices. A mandatory 2 week quarantine was implemented last week (including requiring people to wear a tracker bracelet) but we fear the damage has already been done. 100 new cases were identified in the last few days, some as a result of returning expats socialising/going to the gym/cinema etc and infecting other locals.
It’s highly frustrating to those of us here because we feel we have voluntarily taken steps (Which were not fun!) to protect HK and now the actions of a few selfish people who wouldn’t stay home for 2 weeks may have made all the distancing of the last few weeks pointless.
There is a lot of mixed messaging about the effectiveness of masks globally but something (or a combination of factors) was working here until recently.
wecandothispeeps · 21/03/2020 05:43
Thank you very much for your post, what an insightful and encouraging post. I am grateful to you for sharing your experience.
China has often been criticised in the west for its control measures over the people of China, however I have been impressed with China's dynamic resolve to really get on top of this virus, had they not been so decisive and make those hard decisions, we would as a world be in an even worse place than we are now. By closing huge swathes of the country they at least delayed the flow of cases, and obviously saved many lives in the process. It was very bold decision at the time, and one that will be replicated everywhere now I feel.
We are staring down the barrel of the storm now here in the UK so to speak, and I have one or two questions:
Are you getting back to normal in any sense now?
Are you now used to the lockdown and adjusting to it? I am on day 8 (yes only day 8!!) and wondering at what point is there a giving up of the old life and true acceptance of the new normal. Many of us will experience the initial panic, then the mourning of our old lives, at what point if any, does it feel okay, or are you left in a permanent sense of dislocation?
Sending you our love and best wishes to you and everyone in China
wecandothispeeps · 21/03/2020 05:51
sofa I believe the UK gov are looking into social tracking right now.
www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/19/plan-phone-location-data-assist-uk-coronavirus-effort
petrova HK have done an amazing job of keeping the virus in control. Some of our friends have just returned (they are not going to cinemas etc) and have been tagged! Even the children. This kind of efficient, organised intelligent response is exactly what is needed. I am not sure we could ever implement it here with over 60 million people, when the time finally comes that we can move around again, but it just goes to show you how technology solutions can be used effectively.
I too think masks are a good idea, but we are being persuaded here not to use them as we need them for front line health workers and carers etc, quite rightly these people need to come first.
redcarbluecar · 21/03/2020 05:54
Thanks; that's really interesting. I too am wondering whether you feel things are on their way back to "normal" now and how long you think this might take.
MissyJane2 · 21/03/2020 05:54
@Uberfoodie Thanks for sharing this information with us.
Glad I don't live in China.
If they did that to us here I think I would commit suicide.
I couldn't take it.
How horrible to have all of your doors and windows sealed.
how does she cope in the heat when it gets to hot?
Also too much a heated room and no ventilation make the illness worse.
One of the reasons why I got the flue is because here in England they turn the heating up too high on the buses,trains and shopping centers.
Even though it's been mild all Winter.
No wonder I caught the flu.
FuckThisWind · 21/03/2020 06:04
Wow. Thank you OP.
Very best of luck to you. And to all of us
I really feel this should be published somewhere / shared more widely.
Maybe MNHQ could help with that?
ByeByeMissAmericanPie · 21/03/2020 06:09
Wow. Your post is so interesting, and a serious wake up call to those of us who think the ‘odd’ play date won’t matter. Thank you so much for posting. It would make a fascinating thread to find out what’s happening globally from the MNetters around the world.
I’m so sorry your business has been decimated. I think I seriously underestimated just how the global economy is going to tank. But... but... we will all need somewhere to eat and play when this is all over. I hope you find a way through it all.
Lastly... can I ask a favour? Does your husband have some good Lockdown Recipes? 
We could all do with a bit of light relief!
Jaichangecentfoisdenom · 21/03/2020 06:10
Thank you for writing this, as a pp said, you express yourself beautifully. I was going to ask you if you'd mind my sharing it on social media, but on second thoughts, could you offer it as a contribution in "From Our Own Correspondent" style to an on line paper so it reaches a much wider circulation?
All the best to you and your family and friends.
Jaichangecentfoisdenom · 21/03/2020 06:12
@FuckThisWind - sorry, cross-posted - great minds, eh!
OutComeTheWolves · 21/03/2020 06:14
If people are electronically sealed into their apartments, are they not worried about fires? I'd be terrified that there was a fire in my apartment block while everyone was trapped inside.
hopefulhalf · 21/03/2020 06:19
I am afraid we have all got to get used to being "trapped" if that's what it takes.
Queenscake · 21/03/2020 06:21
Where did you get that info about sealing doors and windows? I have family and friends living China, never heard of it.
EmpressMcSchnozzle · 21/03/2020 06:22
Thank you so much for sharing this, and I agree that it really should be made more widely available.
I've run out of words to express my fury at the initial handling of the virus in the UK, and that's before I even consider the selfishness and idiocy of people (of whatever age) not self-isolating when they should, putting people like my partner (a nurse) at more risk than they already are.
That's without even considering the utter, utter selfishness of people panic buying and then flogging stuff on ebay and the like. Sadly my whole generation of elders (parents, aunts, uncles) has long since passed away, but they lived through the war, and they'd be astonished and horrified to see what's going on.
I've been amazed and encouraged to see how Hong Kong, and Singapore, and Taiwan, and China, have managed to pull this back from the brink. I just wish we could learn from them a little. I know the culture is very different; some years ago I lived in Japan and in general people would wear masks when they had even a little sniffle. In two years I only got ill once, despite being around pupils all day in the teaching job I did.
Maybe if people had more understanding of what it's taken where you are to get things under control, they might be a bit more sensible?
Sending you all very best wishes that life gets back to some sort of normal as soon as it can.
Almahart · 21/03/2020 06:23
OP this is so interesting and insightful. I honestly don’t know what it will take to get the population of the UK to take this seriously.
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