Shanghai’s “Tiny” Freedom Parade
After a month‑long lockdown that had the city’s 25 million residents walled in like chi‑chi emoji, a handful of folks finally stepped out of their homes for a quick stroll and a grocery haul. In the financial epicenter, people are still stuck staying inside, but a few districts have eased the rules, letting a fifth of the city’s population taste the outside world.
Beijing’s Battle Plan
The capital’s health squad is busy spinning tons of rapid tests and keeps schools closed, terrified that a daily surge of dozens of new cases could turn into the same crisis that hit Shanghai.
Old Man’s “Shanghainese, Starving!” Moment
- The viral clip shows an elderly man shoutin’ “Shanghainese, starving!” at a passing vehicle.
- He starts crying once the driver hands him bananas and biscuits.
- The clip may not be verified, but it’s a sweet reminder of the hunger (and hope) beating in the city.
Newly Reopened Supermarkets
- Residents are now seen strolling around suburbs.
- People queue in line for grocery stores that were recently allowed to reopen.
- One snapshot captures two women carrying a pole with four bulky bags of groceries on their shoulders—proof that resilience carries heavy loads.
Bottom line: Shanghai’s tiny “walk‑and‑shop” days highlight a city eager for a breath of air, while Beijing scales up tests to keep its schools—and the community—safe.
<img alt="" data-caption="Residents look outside through a barrier of a residential area during lockdown, amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, in Shanghai, China, on May 3, 2022.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”acf0efec-2c28-4736-8673-1c3479563e0b” src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/04052022_looking%20through_reuters.jpg”/>
Shanghai’s Lifting Shaky Curtain: A Jumbled Mixed‑Message
Inside the city’s slice‑by‑slice vacation plan, the rules are as patchy as a quilt made of scraps. Some neighborhoods have relaxed the “one‑person‑at‑a‑time” rule, letting a single resident step out for up to three hours. Others still keep the door shut tight, as if the building walls could hold a holiday forward.
What the Numbers Reveal
- Monday’s overnight spike: 73 new cases outside the most guarded zones.
- The day before that: 58 new cases.
- Two days ago: A clean slate—zero new infections.
Despite the 73‑case rise, the city’s ultimate goal remains a quieter, quieter tally of zero infections. Only then can the authorities consider rolling back the lockdowns with gusto.
Historical Quick‑look
When the Corona first burst onto the scene in Wuhan back in late 2019, China’s “zero‑Covid” strategy—lockdowns and travel bans—kept the virus largely in check for about two years. The new Omicron strain, however, has rattled that calm and delivered stiff economic and human costs.
Political Pulse – Inside the President’s Gaze
In the same season that Beijing’s political spotlight is set to shine on President Xi Jinping’s potential third term, the intermixing of public frustration and rare outbursts marks the year as especially delicate.
<img alt="" data-caption="A resident is pictured behind barriers sealing off an area during lockdown, amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, in Shanghai, China, on May 2, 2022.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”53737127-1cf6-4ab0-b0ad-c59b002f0150″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/04052022_people_reuters.jpg”/>
China’s Latest Lockdown Love‑Letter to the Streets
China’s got a new lockdown curfew on the horizon – and it’s hitting cities that could Give you a Power‑Full Shake‑off. The latest buzz is coming from Zhengzhou, a bustling hub for its 12.6 million residents and the buzz‑factory of Apple’s iPhone assembly maestro, Foxconn.
Lockdown 1‑0: When May 4‑10 Slams the Door
On Tuesday, Zhengzhou announced a full‑body “stay–home” push for the week of May 4‑10. With people boxed in, shopping carts are taking a nosedive, and the city’s factory floors feel the quiet.
- Markets shrink: Consumers are flat‑lined inside walls.
- Factories cheer down: April’s production numbers hit a sharp low.
- Zero‑Covid creed: The policy’s ultimate goal is “save as many lives as we can.”
China vs. The Rest of the World
Outside the Great Wall, millions of folks lost their lives to Covid‑19, while many countries decide to “live with” the virus – easing up on fancy badges, masks, and so forth.
Meanwhile, China logged 20 fresh Covid deaths on Monday, all in Shanghai, bringing the pandemic death toll to 5,112 (though some folks tackle the numbers with skepticism).
Beijing’s Playbook: Test, Target, & Keep the Boom
Dad‑city Beijing wants to dodge the pain Shanghai endured. The plan: massive testing to sniff out and snag infections, paired with pinpointed shutdowns on businesses and co‑ops.
—So far, it’s all about staying calm, catching those sneaky cases, and never letting the collective cough spread like a shy gossip at a café.
<img alt="" data-caption="People look at the menu outside a restaurant, after the government banned dine-in services, following the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak in Beijing, China, on May 2, 2022.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”5f8888a9-26c9-45eb-9b45-14f8e237eed9″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/04052022_restaurant_reuters_0.jpg”/>
Beijing’s Five‑Day Holiday Turns Into a Full‑Scale “Stay‑Home” Island
After five days of vending workers celebrating Labour Day, the capital’s 22‑million‑strong population is still stuck in lockdown. Li Yi, a spokesperson from the city’s Education Commission, announced that schools will remain closed for at least another week.
Passport‑Style Entry Requirements – now for everyday commuters
Starting Thursday, anyone traveling into or out of Beijing must present a COVID‑19 test result that is no older than 48 hours. Think of it as a new “health passport” that’s shorter than your morning coffee break.
Hand‑Washing & Mask‑Minding: A City‑Wide Public Service Announcement
City officials are urging residents to don masks correctly and wash hands diligently, especially in public restrooms. That’s in response to 40 infections traced to a single individual who used public toilets three times. The message? Bathroom etiquette is now compulsory.
Three More Rounds of Testing: Beijing’s 16‑District Countdown
- 12 of 16 districts are conducting an additional three rounds of testing this week.
- They’ve already done three rounds last week, so the total is now six overwhelming rounds of testing.
Restaurants Shut Down, Streets Quiet, and the Fear of Quarantine Erupts
What’s normally a busy holiday period has turned into a gastronomic ghost town. People are reluctant to dine out because the slightest suspicion of being close to a COVID‑19 case could mean an immediate quarantine.
Rumor has it that the city’s biggest test‑run is contrasting with Shanghai’s recent “zero‑COVID” push. The differences might make future travelers rethink their epicurean itineraries.
