April should be the beginning of everything coming back to life, longing for all the beautiful things. But in Shanghai, it is so desolate. The streets are almost empty, and the entrances to the residential areas are reinforced with layers of iron wire mesh, like endless cages.
The author's mindset has changed many times this month.
At the beginning of the month, strict management was implemented in Puxi, but the author, who lives in Pudong, has been locked down for almost two weeks. The release date is still unknown. With no reserves of supplies, after a week of consumption, there is barely anything left, and they have to consider how to survive in the coming days. At that time, they could only rely on the daily notification at 6 a.m., but there was no guarantee they could get anything. They never imagined that their birthday would be so difficult, although they are not someone who celebrates birthdays or likes formalities. During that time, they could only eat two potatoes, boiled dumpling wrappers, and rice mixed with soy sauce for days. Every day, they worry about what they will eat tomorrow or the day after. The days without hope, where they are hungry twice out of three days, are the most desperate.
At the beginning, the author could still buy some food from the supermarket downstairs, although it was only frozen food and instant noodles. They thought that at least they wouldn't starve if the supermarket didn't close. However, everything happened too quickly, and when they woke up, the supermarket was closed. Box Ma, Meituan buy vegetables, and other grocery delivery channels were also closed, leaving only the app Dingdong barely surviving. This made the competition for groceries even more intense. Later on, Dingdong also couldn't buy vegetables and was constantly out of stock. Fortunately, the author joined the community group, and various group purchasing groups followed suit, becoming uncontrollable. In such an environment, one had to rely on group buying to avoid starving. They faced chaotic and overpriced vegetables, but they had no choice but to participate because they never imagined that one day they wouldn't even have the freedom to choose vegetables, only vegetable mystery boxes priced at around 10 yuan per kilogram, two to three times higher than the regular prices. In these conditions, they couldn't bear to throw away sprouted potatoes and could still eat them after cutting away any bad parts. If some vegetables were rotten, they could still eat a few leaves. Many times, they couldn't eat what they wanted, but ate what would spoil soon.
From vegetable group purchases at the beginning to now purchasing various items, they have even started to buy ice cream and watermelon. They suddenly realized that summer had arrived. This spring passed by unnoticed for everyone living in Shanghai, like a passing guest. It was probably because of the excessive number of group purchases in the community, combined with chaotic management, that many elderly people and stubborn individuals couldn't stay at home. The community has been on the news every day since last month.
Every day, they reset the countdown of 14 days, breaking through the last defense line over and over again. They have experienced so much suffering in this month, which only they know, and they have also witnessed many things, both in their surroundings and on the internet. Along with the spread of "The Voice of April" on the internet, they feel that it is ridiculous but more so, it is tragic. Because it's all real, happening in this once desired first-tier metropolis and international city. Now it seems so absurd. They have been locked up for a whole month. The loneliness, despair, and fear they have experienced are overwhelming, especially when they watch the video for the second time during a quiet night and tears well up in their eyes.
The prolonged isolation has filled them with loneliness and fear, enveloping them every day, making them lose interest in doing anything. They are not someone who can find joy in hardship. The long-term suppressed emotions have made them inefficient and mentally absent, wasting so much time. The time spent on cooking and eating is also particularly long. Before this, they couldn't cook, but now they have to learn how, even if the food doesn't taste great. Even just eating enough and being able to swallow is sufficient. As the days go by, there is also a shortage of daily necessities. After all, there are no mystery boxes for groceries, but there are too few options for group buying daily necessities. They are someone who likes to be prepared, and if they don't have backup, they start to panic. Although the current situation has improved, the supermarket downstairs has reopened, although it is through volunteers and building leaders taking turns to go shopping for several buildings every day. It will probably take half a month to get a turn. In addition to the supermarket, there are other channels to buy some daily necessities, although at higher prices.
In this way, April has passed in despair, fear, and loneliness. It is probably the most unforgettable month in their life.
Written afterwards: Weeks have gone by. The weather is getting hotter, and it's becoming more and more uncomfortable to be locked in a room. Just received news that the community has been cleared of cases yesterday, although it's hard to believe, but I really hope that things will get better soon.