The Average Lockdown Experience for a Student in a High Risk Area

Guangzhou has suspended in-person school from returning, which has led all of AISG’s students to transition to online learning. However, some have much less freedom than others.

 

I am a sophomore that also writes for The Beacon, and I live in the Haizhu district: a high-risk area which has been put on lockdown for a while.

 

While my freedom has been compromised, I am still trying to live life as normally as I can. And I would like to share how my weekends are compared to the other students in areas with little to no lockdown.

 

As most people would, I try to get a good sleep in since I have nowhere to be. However, the COVID testing lines are long in the afternoon, meaning that it’s best to try and get tested around 10:30 am.

 

I quickly get dressed and head off to a nearby clinic each morning, as we are required to get tested every day.

 

Afterwards, I come back and get breakfast, then relax for a little bit.

 

In the afternoon I always try to call a friend. Many of my friends can go hang out with each other, but since I am not allowed to leave my district, I must make sure I still have some human interaction with someone besides my family.

 

I end the day with eating dinner and playing a few board games with my family, as it is crucial to have a good family bond in this hard time. They are my support system.

 

Many have a similar lockdown experience to me.

 

Penelope A. is a grade 7 student who also lives in the Haizhu district. She described her days as “boring and repetitive.”

 

“My days in lockdown consisted of five (or six) things: wake up, eat, watch tv, get tested, sleep, repeat,” said Penelope. “For two weeks I did that.”

 

Mr. Boyd, one of the art teachers at AISG, also lives in a high-risk area. But unlike us, he was in lockdown in his house for some time.

 

He has been making sure to keep healthy and try and make the best out of this difficult situation.

 

“I think the secret to staying sane in lockdown is to keep yourself busy and have a schedule,” said Mr. Boyd. “For fun in lockdown I’ve been playing Nintendo, watching movies, and also recording music.”

 

While this may be a hard time, it is important to develop and maintain healthy habits and stay safe.