China Reopening Photodiary by Caleb: Views of Post-Pandemic

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China Reopening Photodiary

China Reopening Photodiary by Caleb from Chasing Unique

This is not the first time the world has faced “unprecedented” times. Nor is it the last. However, it is a first time experience for many, and in the age of social media, the unified worry, anxiety, panic, and hysteria is heightened to an unimaginable reach. We are all in this together, truly, but does the sentiment only work to fuel our collective distress, or sooth us?

Western media has a habit of dominating world news, and while many Western countries were twiddling their thumbs and looking the other direction, Asian countries were already knee-deep in the novel SARS-CoV-2-19 virus. Aka COVID-19, or colloquially, coronavirus. But what some Western leaders forget (or choose to ignore), is that many Asian countries tackled a similar virus not even twenty years ago with the SARS outbreak of 2002. Although COVID-19 spread faster due to a longer asymptomatic incubation period (as well as other factors), basic preventative measures, containment procedures, and recovery protocols remain very similar.

So now that Western countries are knee-deep in the virus, Asian countries are now beginning to emerge from the thickets. Shanghai-based photographer Caleb from Chasing Unique documented the reopening of China through his China Reopening photodiary.

The streets of Shanghai, normally bustling and full, are mostly empty. Save for a few people getting air, going for a walk, or needing to escape their house for a bit.

After 3 months, China started to see the end of the tunnel

Around March 2020, many cities in China were beginning to loosen on their strict lockdown. In cities such as Weihai, China, which is considered small for only having a population of one million, there were only 38 confirmed cases. Due to the strict lockdown, by March Weihai had gone from 38 confirmed cases to 0 (with one death) in about two months.

Throughout multiple cities, the government heavily fined both public and private sectors for price gouging and supply hoarding. Citizens received both provincial and local government updates via text for updates on changes in food or medical supplies, prices, new pandemic measures, travel restrictions, or any other updates. Temperature checks were required for all public buildings. Residents were also restricted to their own neighborhoods.

Chinese regulations ensured that all on-site workers, be it medical personnel or fast food employees, were provided with enough masks, face shields, and PPE to safely operate.

As conditions in China began to improve, the brave doctors, nurses, and medical staff from Wuhan and across China volunteered their expertise as other countries asked for help.

Wearing Masks Post-Pandemic

Life slowly reemerged post-pandemic for the residents of China. Clare of Driving Me Nomad reminisced about her life in Singapore after the SARS pandemic. “Facial masks weren’t always my norm,” Clare expressed in an Instagram post. “I went to school during the SARS pandemic in Singapore (2002). That was my first introduction to facial masks. Sure, it was unusual when we first wore them, but over time…we got used to it.”

Clare went on to express how, due to prior exposure to wearing PPE for a pandemic, many Asian countries and residents have worn masks casually for over a decade to protect against even common colds. “It’s not about you. Wearing a masks protects those around you. Anyone, including you, can be an asymptomatic carrier. It may not be 100% effective, but even 30% is better than 0%.” Even 5% is better than 0%.

Life Post-Pandemic

Many people are concerned with the post-pandemic. What will life be life after coronavirus? What will it look like when and if things get better?

There are cries that things will never be normal again. That normalcy is dead.

But what is normal anyway?

Things should not stay the same. You should WANT your community to evolve and change for the better. You should WANT your government to see the flaws in their public health sectors and make changes to fix the gaps. Easier access to sanitation stations and regular hand washing practices should be adopted. Job positions that are able to accommodate even partial work-from-home situations should explore those options for employees. In the USA specifically, minority communities were the most negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Those healthcare inequalities SHOULD change.

That should not be the normal anyway.

While exploring the streets of Shanghai through Caleb’s lens, we have seen what life might look like for a while post-pandemic. There will always be hesitation after the fact. Hesitation, concern, and worry. But remember, normal changes. It always has. But regardless of what that normal will look like, it will return.

Are you more hopefully or concerned about the state of your country after the recent COVID-19? What pandemic measures do you want to stick around once “normal” returns?

Photocredits to the Photographer

I would like to thank Caleb again for his incredible captures of Shanghai, China during this time. All photos from this post are taken by Caleb, all credit and permission for distribution belong to him. For any photoshoots, collaborations, or partnerships in Shanghai, China, please reach out to Caleb via email or DM on Instagram.

Instagram: ChasingUnique

Youtube: Chasing Unique

Email: Chasingunique@gmail.com

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