I’ve been locked down in Shanghai since March 12, 2022.
70 days and running.
I started preparations in January after I read about Omicron. I did a quick scenario analysis and tried to predict what would happen when this variant inevitably hit China and bumped into the Zero Covid Policy right in the face.
I hoarded enough supplies to sustain for the whole family for a month in January and kept on stacking after the Chinese New Year holidays.
Apparently I was still too optimistic.
Fortunately, after the lockdown started I was still able to get hold of a couple of small shop owners who were able to deliver supplies over the fence of my compound. Plus my wife joined dozens of online shopping groups to ensure we could buy what we need.
The grocery price went up a little bit but still acceptable. Delivery price went up a lot in the first three to four weeks. It’s coming down now.
My biggest regrets so far:
1. I don’t have a car in Shanghai. Actually I stopped driving about ten years ago. Commute on foot, shared bicycles, Uber/Didi and public transport. Thought I should do my part to reduce carbon emissions.
Big mistake.
Having no car under Shanghai lockdown means I don’t have the most powerful tool, or equalizer, only next to a gun, that can help me break through the compound gate in case there’s a medical emergency.
2. My daily hand tools are all too small, again, not enough to help me breakthrough when needed.
The idea “I should have industrial grade tools” crossed my mind in early March. I placed the order online but didn’t hit the Buy button immediately.
When the lockdown started, I completed the order but delivery has already been shutdown.
These have greatly limited my options. I had to lay low, sit tight and wait the whole thing to be over, if ever there will truly be an end.
Lessons learned:
1. Trust your own brainpower and judgement, not the government;
2. When you feel like buying something like power tools that your life might depend on it, don’t wait, just do it;
3. Screw environmentalism, get a big ass gasoline car;
4. When the situation is more than what you can handle, take cover and stay put. Be patient. Wait it out;
5. The will that you’d do anything to keep your family safe and healthy needs to be nourished, and the best way is to spend more quality time with your loved ones. This keeps you strong.
Y’all take good care.
