How do we live in China, during those times?
Personal compliance regarding Covid prevention in China is total.
Being healthy in Chinese society is a virtue, taking the risk of being affected by a disease, becoming a burden to your inner circle (family and friends) is feared more than the disease.
This point being clarified, it is important to understand that there is little care in the general population about data sharing with authorities. I discussed my wish for privacy regarding my localization data and my concern about sharing my friends and connections list with an organization with many of my Chinese friends, they usually smile and tell me that they have little to no doubt that those information are not private wherever you happen to live.
Now, daily, what are the constraints imposed?
1/masks! everywhere, all the time. Chinese people do not see masks as a constraint but a mean of self-protection and a nice consideration for others safety. This notion not only applies to China, but most of Asia.
2/Temperature Check. When you take the subway, go into a restaurant or any venue. From the street corner 7/11 or to a government office, your temperature is verified and archived most of the time.
3/QR code.
This Qr code is generated within a WeChat miniapp, which you could compare to a cross-over between Instagram and WhatsApp. This App record your localization,your PCR tests result,your vaccination status.This Qr code will be either Green, orange or red. it’s important to note that your vaccination status isn’t relevant to the color of the Qr code,you may be unvaccinated and still take part in any activities. Only your presence in a dangerous zone or a contact with infected people will affect the Qr color.
What happens when someone code goes Orange?
You receive a notification requiring to isolate at your place and someone is sent to get you tested.
I never discussed with a somone infected in China (i actually don't know anyone you caught the virus in China) so the first part of process with a red code is an educated guess...you would be actively researched and isolated.As for the second part of the process,local authorities publish a list of places the infected individual as been.you ARE urged to do a test if you were near those places at the time.Anyhow ,close contact tracking is quiet efficient and yor Qr is probably already Orange.
What happened if there is a confirm case in your area?
Within the day, a testing site is organized and you are informed by local authorities to get tested.
Chinese people like to live in closed type residential complex and apart of small village it is always the case that an area can be locked by closing, at most ,4 gates. Where ever you go, those residential areas are always guarded.it makes the handling of this situation quite simple.
What happens when an Area goes into full Lockdown?
Businesses are asked to close doors and employees are asked to work from home if they can.
People are asked to stay home for the duration of the lockdown and to identify infected individuals.
One member of the family is allowed to go out ,once a day ,to refill food and supply.
There are obviously logistic difficulties and not everything goes as planned all the time.
Nevertheless there is general sense of pride for the handling of the disease,and most people deal with the frustration of the situation pretty well. Most of the efforts (Qr code control,PCR test site organisation…)is made by benevolent workers.
Let me know if you have question on the subject, I’m glad to answer!
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