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An American in a Locked Down Chinese Town: ‘Everyone Here Is So Bored’ An American in a Locked Down Chinese Town: ‘Everyone Here Is So Bored’
(3 days later)
Weeks before the coronavirus became a national health crisis in China, authorities threatened a doctor, Li Wenliang, who warned about early cases. State media reported that Dr. Li was illegally spreading rumors.Weeks before the coronavirus became a national health crisis in China, authorities threatened a doctor, Li Wenliang, who warned about early cases. State media reported that Dr. Li was illegally spreading rumors.
That was a red flag for Bob Huang.That was a red flag for Bob Huang.
“People here tend to believe the government. Not me,” said Mr. Huang, who is 50 years old and lives with his mother, Zhang Wanrong, and her caretaker in Zhicheng, a town of 300,000 in northern Zhejiang Province. “I’ve watched too many episodes of ‘The X-Files.’”“People here tend to believe the government. Not me,” said Mr. Huang, who is 50 years old and lives with his mother, Zhang Wanrong, and her caretaker in Zhicheng, a town of 300,000 in northern Zhejiang Province. “I’ve watched too many episodes of ‘The X-Files.’”
Mr. Huang is not like other people in Zhicheng. He is a Chinese-born American and, as he put it, he doesn’t think like his neighbors. As Zhicheng barricades itself from the outside world, he has watched with the bewilderment of an outsider, even if he shares his neighbors’ dry sense of humor about the situation.Mr. Huang is not like other people in Zhicheng. He is a Chinese-born American and, as he put it, he doesn’t think like his neighbors. As Zhicheng barricades itself from the outside world, he has watched with the bewilderment of an outsider, even if he shares his neighbors’ dry sense of humor about the situation.
Human interaction can be tough to find in a town barricaded from the rest of the world. Mr. Huang takes what he can get.Human interaction can be tough to find in a town barricaded from the rest of the world. Mr. Huang takes what he can get.
It begins with the volunteer guards outside his residential complex when he leaves home to buy groceries. Many wear red jackets with “volunteer” emblazoned across the back. Some are his neighbors. One of them is his dentist.It begins with the volunteer guards outside his residential complex when he leaves home to buy groceries. Many wear red jackets with “volunteer” emblazoned across the back. Some are his neighbors. One of them is his dentist.
Sometimes this motley group of guards calls in reinforcements — cops in protective gear with Tasers. Mr. Huang refers to them as the “SWAT team.”Sometimes this motley group of guards calls in reinforcements — cops in protective gear with Tasers. Mr. Huang refers to them as the “SWAT team.”
They don’t have much useful information, Mr. Huang said, but they have plenty of conspiracy theories.They don’t have much useful information, Mr. Huang said, but they have plenty of conspiracy theories.
One day, a guard paused to look at Mr. Huang’s passport, then looked up and scowled. “This pandemic is definitely caused by you American imperialists!” the guard told Mr. Huang. The virus was obviously a new biochemical weapon, the guard reasoned. He was only partly joking.One day, a guard paused to look at Mr. Huang’s passport, then looked up and scowled. “This pandemic is definitely caused by you American imperialists!” the guard told Mr. Huang. The virus was obviously a new biochemical weapon, the guard reasoned. He was only partly joking.
“He doesn’t like the U.S. or Americans,” Mr. Huang said.“He doesn’t like the U.S. or Americans,” Mr. Huang said.
The next day, the guard apologized. His facts were wrong. Greedy and reckless Chinese scientists at a high security biochemical lab in Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, were behind the spread, the guard said. They had sold an infected test monkey to the live market where authorities believe the virus spread. As far as Mr. Huang could tell, the guard believed the story.The next day, the guard apologized. His facts were wrong. Greedy and reckless Chinese scientists at a high security biochemical lab in Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, were behind the spread, the guard said. They had sold an infected test monkey to the live market where authorities believe the virus spread. As far as Mr. Huang could tell, the guard believed the story.
Another guard told Mr. Huang that he saw a memo from the same lab, which had been posted online. The Wuhan lab had a cure, too, the second guard argued, and scientists planned to sell it and make boatloads of money.Another guard told Mr. Huang that he saw a memo from the same lab, which had been posted online. The Wuhan lab had a cure, too, the second guard argued, and scientists planned to sell it and make boatloads of money.
(Scientists from around the world have broadly rejected the idea that the coronavirus was made by humans.)(Scientists from around the world have broadly rejected the idea that the coronavirus was made by humans.)
Mr. Huang has to pass through several more makeshift checkpoints just to get to the market. At each checkpoint, Mr. Huang must write down his personal information and have his temperature checked. He goes through the same routine when he returns home. A 10 minute journey now takes three times as long.Mr. Huang has to pass through several more makeshift checkpoints just to get to the market. At each checkpoint, Mr. Huang must write down his personal information and have his temperature checked. He goes through the same routine when he returns home. A 10 minute journey now takes three times as long.
The guards might be ad hoc, but they take their jobs seriously. One day a drunk neighbor returned to Mr. Huang’s complex and refused to explain why he had been gone for more than a day. The guards called in eight cops to subdue the man.The guards might be ad hoc, but they take their jobs seriously. One day a drunk neighbor returned to Mr. Huang’s complex and refused to explain why he had been gone for more than a day. The guards called in eight cops to subdue the man.
“Yeah, I was there rubbernecking,” Mr. Huang said. “But I wasn’t allowed to take pictures. Sad.”“Yeah, I was there rubbernecking,” Mr. Huang said. “But I wasn’t allowed to take pictures. Sad.”
Sure, the checkpoints and lockdown might seem extreme, Mr. Huang said, but they aren’t infallible. He has a friend in a nearby town who sneaks out to go swimming in the river every day.Sure, the checkpoints and lockdown might seem extreme, Mr. Huang said, but they aren’t infallible. He has a friend in a nearby town who sneaks out to go swimming in the river every day.
One day last week, a man from a neighboring province walked into town after a four-day trek along smaller roads not subject to road checks. “There are plenty of cracks to be found,” he said.One day last week, a man from a neighboring province walked into town after a four-day trek along smaller roads not subject to road checks. “There are plenty of cracks to be found,” he said.
Updated June 5, 2020Updated June 5, 2020
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
The biggest problem, Mr. Huang said, is the town’s deep combination of listlessness and loneliness. Human interactions are becoming fewer and farther between as local officials change the rules to try to contain the virus. Now, each family can only send one member out to buy food once every two days.The biggest problem, Mr. Huang said, is the town’s deep combination of listlessness and loneliness. Human interactions are becoming fewer and farther between as local officials change the rules to try to contain the virus. Now, each family can only send one member out to buy food once every two days.
“Everyone here is so bored,” Mr. Huang said with a sigh.“Everyone here is so bored,” Mr. Huang said with a sigh.
A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Mr. Huang got married in the United States and became a naturalized citizen. When his father died in 2003, he and his wife moved back to China to take care of his mother, choosing Zhicheng as their base.A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Mr. Huang got married in the United States and became a naturalized citizen. When his father died in 2003, he and his wife moved back to China to take care of his mother, choosing Zhicheng as their base.
In 2012, his mother was left paralyzed from a brain hemorrhage and a caretaker moved in. Since Mr. Huang’s wife died from colon cancer two years ago, it is now just him, his mother and her caretaker.In 2012, his mother was left paralyzed from a brain hemorrhage and a caretaker moved in. Since Mr. Huang’s wife died from colon cancer two years ago, it is now just him, his mother and her caretaker.
Mr. Huang would prefer not to be in China right now. He has told foreign friends in cities like Shanghai and Beijing to leave China if they can.Mr. Huang would prefer not to be in China right now. He has told foreign friends in cities like Shanghai and Beijing to leave China if they can.
“There is something my father told me a long time ago,” said Mr. Huang. His father was a Communist Party member and local official who described the corruption he witnessed. “What he told me was that in China there is no socialism or communism. He called it ‘elite controlled capitalism.’”“There is something my father told me a long time ago,” said Mr. Huang. His father was a Communist Party member and local official who described the corruption he witnessed. “What he told me was that in China there is no socialism or communism. He called it ‘elite controlled capitalism.’”
For now Mr. Huang will stay with his mother. “But eventually, when I retire,” he said, “I don’t want to live inside a country that has all this.”For now Mr. Huang will stay with his mother. “But eventually, when I retire,” he said, “I don’t want to live inside a country that has all this.”