Woman Documents What It's Like Living During China's Biggest Lockdown
Topics: China, Coronavirus, TikTok
Poppy Bilderbeck
Featured Image Credit: TikTok/@thisischaniece
Topics: China, Coronavirus, TikTok
A TikToker has revealed what it's like to be in China amid Shanghai's strict coronavirus lockdown.
While areas such as the UK have seen restrictions lifted and regulations eased, China has faced a harsh lockdown as a result of a surge in Omicron cases.
Pressure has been mounting as the city's 26 million residents have been confined to their houses without easy access to food and other essential supplies.
Chaniece, an American currently in China, has used her social media platform to open up about what it's really like to be in lockdown in the country's most populated city.
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On 2 April 2022, in day two of the Puxi lockdown, Chaniece (TikTok - @thisischaniece) explained how her flatmate Terry had to get permission to walk the dog and was only allowed to 'late at night'.
The TikToker also explained the delays she was facing in getting her Covid test results back and her realisation that 'not all care packages are the same'.
"These bags of supplies were organised by all the different sub districts who all have different suppliers, budgets, etc which means the contents will vary wildly. Mine was completely filled with vegetables so if you want to trade for some chocolate I'd be keen," the caption reads.
Chaniece posted footage of a resident arguing with a volunteer, explaining that tensions were 'running high'.
She noted how she also got 'very emotional' after getting a phone call telling her she 'needed to retake the test' 'without any explanation'.
"After a bit I calmed down. My fear wasn't the facility but how long I'd be there.
"Apparently there's no wifi either," she explained.
As if that wasn't enough already, Chaniece was then informed someone in the building had tested positive.
A tester dressed head-to-toe in PPE was captured on the recording, performing the uncomfortable test on Chaniece.
"Terry told me in Pudong, out of 96 buildings, 48 had tested positive," she said.
The video has amassed over two million views, 150,000 likes and thousands of comments, with users flooding to the post in support.
Most followers voiced the opinion that such a strict approach was an 'overreaction'.
"It’s been three years I can’t believe they’re still locking down," one said.
However, Chaniece noted: "Barely any Covid cases in two years here in Shanghai so it’s a big deal for us."
Other footage posted on social media has shown residents looting supermarkets in desperation after having been left without medicine or food.
The use of drones to enforce lockdown measures has also seen the city compared to sci-fi television series Black Mirror.
Chaniece's update is one of 20 different videos and illustrates the immensely challenging and tense situation Shanghai residents are facing on a daily basis amid the lockdown.
If you’ve been affected by coronavirus and want up to date advice, visit the Gov.uk help page here. If you need medical help call NHS 111 or visit online