[INTRO - Soft Music Playing]
Narrator: "In August 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic in China, I experienced a series of events that revealed the overbearing, unreasonable, and ignorant aspects of government policies. This story unfolds my observations and experiences in Xinjiang since April, presented in a neutral and factual manner."
[Scene Transition - Music Shifts to a More Reflective Tone]
Narrator: "April 8th marked the end of my nearly three-month-long home quarantine in Wuhan, as the lockdown was finally lifted. With Xinjiang gradually reopening since March, my work required me to return there as soon as possible."
[Visuals: Scenes of Empty Streets in Wuhan, Transitioning to Busy Airports]
Narrator: "My journey back to Xinjiang was fraught with delays. The direct flight on China Southern Airlines kept getting postponed. Reluctantly, I had to transit through Xi'an. Before leaving, I reported my health status to the community in Changji City, where I was to stay. They assured me that with green health codes and a recent negative nucleic acid test, I would only need to self-observe, not quarantine."
[Visuals: Airport Scenes, Focusing on Health Code Checks]
Narrator: "In Xi'an, I faced an unexpected change. I was informed that I had to move from the Pearl Economy Class to the last few rows of the plane, as per Urumqi Diwopu Airport's instructions. Astonishingly, this downgrade even required me to pay an additional fare."
[Visuals: Interior of the Airplane, Highlighting the Last Five Rows]
Narrator: "The flight to Urumqi had a peculiar arrangement. The front rows were for passengers from Xi'an, while the last five were exclusively for those from Hubei, including Wuhan."
[Visuals: Plane Landing, Ambulances Waiting]
Narrator: "Upon landing at Diwopu Airport, our plight took a bizarre turn. The observation team boarded and registered everyone in the last five rows. They collected our boarding passes and IDs, informing us of a mandatory centralized quarantine. Inexplicably, we were not segregated from those who had started their journey in Xi'an."
[Visuals: Scenes of Confusion and Waiting at the Airport]
Narrator: "We were herded into a corner of the airport, awaiting further instructions. After four hours of uncertainty, a bus finally arrived. Filling out forms and scanning QR codes, we were informed that the teams handling our registration and observation were not communicating with each other. The bus, with an unsure driver, eventually took us to a quarantine facility in Changji."
[Visuals: Quarantine Hotel, Night Turning into Day]
Narrator: "At the hotel, the bureaucratic process was repeated. The seventh time since our arrival, we filled out identical information before finally settling into our rooms as dawn broke."
[Visuals: Monotonous Daily Routine in Quarantine]
Narrator: "The 14-day centralized quarantine was mundane, marked only by daily meals and temperature checks. However, four particular instances stood out, revealing the chaotic and inefficient nature of the system."
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[Scene 1 - Quarantine Meals]
Narrator: "The quarantine meals in Xinjiang were a significant challenge for many. Uniformly arranged with no consideration for varied dietary needs, the meals left many, especially those new to the region, struggling with hunger for the entire 14 days. For me, having been in Xinjiang for some time, I managed to adapt, whether it was meatball soup or laghman, despite the meals often being insufficient."
[Visuals: Displaying the Monotonous and Sparse Quarantine Meals]
[Scene 2 - Change in Quarantine Rules]
Narrator: "Initially, we were allowed some flexibility. The observation team permitted us to order essentials from designated stores, including food and daily necessities. This was a relief, as these items were delivered to our doors. However, unexpectedly, this permission was revoked, even for something as simple as fruits sent by relatives. The reason? An inspection by a supervisory team. This sudden change left us questioning - was it a breach of rules, or just an overly cautious measure?"
[Visuals: Quarantined Individuals Receiving Deliveries, Followed by Disappointment]
[Scene 3 - Heartbreaking Story of A]
Narrator: "Among us was a person, let's call him 'A.' His story was particularly moving. A's father, stranded in Urumqi and suffering from a cerebral hemorrhage, was in dire need of care. With the lifting of Wuhan’s lockdown, A rushed for his father's assistance. Despite having a recent negative test report, his pleas for exemptions were denied, trapping him in quarantine while his father's condition worsened and eventually led to his passing. A, unable to even attend his father's farewell, had to delegate the signing authority to a friend."
[Visuals: Emotional Scenes Depicting A's Plight]
[Scene 4 - Stringent Rules and Their Impact]
Narrator: "This incident among others highlighted the severity of the quarantine regulations, often overlooking the critical need for human empathy and consideration. Another case in point was of a man on the floor above us. On the brink of his release after 14 days, his excitement led him to peek out of his room, a minor infraction that resulted in an additional 14-day quarantine. This strict enforcement, with loudspeaker announcements reiterating the rules, raised questions about the proportionality of actions and the additional strain it placed on national resources."
[Visuals: The man anxiously waiting, followed by scenes of the loudspeaker announcements]
=======
[Scene: End of Quarantine]
Narrator: "After 14 long days, my quarantine finally ended. On the 15th day, I underwent a nucleic acid test, with results arriving that evening. Freedom came on the morning of the 16th, but not without its complications."
[Visuals: Clock Ticking, Calendar Pages Turning]
Narrator: "Before leaving, I checked in with the community and the observation team, clarifying if I needed to wait for a community pick-up. They informed me I was free to leave immediately. For A, my fellow quarantined traveler, this posed a challenge - securing a ticket from Xinjiang to Wuhan wasn't easy."
[Visuals: People Leaving the Hotel, A Looking Worried]
Narrator: "Interestingly, the nucleic acid test report was never handed to us. Instead, we received a mere notification marking the end of our quarantine."
[Visuals: Close-up of the Notification]
[Scene: Returning Home]
Narrator: "Back at my rented apartment, I proactively reported my situation to the community, only to be informed that an additional 14-day home quarantine was mandatory. Despite prior confirmations that no further quarantine was needed post the centralized one, the rules had changed."
[Visuals: Narrator on the Phone, Confused]
Narrator: "Community officials and police officers arrived at my door, insisting I sign a home quarantine notice. My request for official documents was met with the revelation that it was a verbal directive, highlighting the fluidity of pandemic policies."
[Visuals: Officials at the Door, Handing Over the Notice]
[Scene: New Quarantine Arrangements]
Narrator: "Sharing the apartment with a colleague who wasn't required to quarantine posed another dilemma. To avoid impacting his work, I opted to self-quarantine at a hotel approved by the community."
[Visuals: Narrator Packing, Moving to the Hotel]
Narrator: "I settled into a hotel close to my work and residence. Quarantine life resumed, with meals delivered to my door. Yet, an inspection five days later by a supervisory team deemed my arrangement non-compliant due to improper disposal of trash. Consequently, I was moved back to a centralized quarantine hotel for an additional 9 days."
[Visuals: Daily Routine in the Hotel, Followed by the Inspection]
Narrator: "With no explanation, I found myself in an extended quarantine in Changji City, lasting a total of 30 days. By May 21st, after completing all formalities and receiving a health certificate, I was finally recognized as 'normal' by the local authorities."
[Visuals: Calendar Marking 30 Days, Receiving Health Certificate]
[Scene: Continued Challenges]
Narrator: "Despite being compliant, the journey wasn't over. With my ID from Wuhan, I faced continuous scrutiny. From May 21st to June 1st, I answered numerous calls daily from various departments, verifying my information repeatedly."
[Visuals: Narrator Answering Phone Calls, Looking Frustrated]
Narrator: "Entering June, I hoped for relief, but my Wuhan ID continued to pose challenges. Despite having a green health code and all necessary documentation, my Wuhan origin meant additional verification processes everywhere I went."
[Visuals: Checking ID at Various Places, Making Phone Calls]
Narrator: "In Xinjiang, the rules differed for those not from Hubei. If your ID wasn't from Hubei, even coming from Wuhan with a negative test report meant no quarantine or scrutiny. Yet, for me, the checks persisted."
[Visuals: People with Non-Hubei IDs Moving Freely, Narrator Being Checked]
=====
[Scene: End of Quarantine]
Narrator: "After 14 long days, my quarantine finally ended. On the 15th day, I underwent a nucleic acid test, with results arriving that evening. Freedom came on the morning of the 16th, but not without its complications."
[Visuals: Clock Ticking, Calendar Pages Turning]
Narrator: "Before leaving, I checked in with the community and the observation team, clarifying if I needed to wait for a community pick-up. They informed me I was free to leave immediately. For A, my fellow quarantined traveler, this posed a challenge - securing a ticket from Xinjiang to Wuhan wasn't easy."
[Visuals: People Leaving the Hotel, A Looking Worried]
Narrator: "Interestingly, the nucleic acid test report was never handed to us. Instead, we received a mere notification marking the end of our quarantine."
[Visuals: Close-up of the Notification]
[Scene: Returning Home]
Narrator: "Back at my rented apartment, I proactively reported my situation to the community, only to be informed that an additional 14-day home quarantine was mandatory. Despite prior confirmations that no further quarantine was needed post the centralized one, the rules had changed."
[Visuals: Narrator on the Phone, Confused]
Narrator: "Community officials and police officers arrived at my door, insisting I sign a home quarantine notice. My request for official documents was met with the revelation that it was a verbal directive, highlighting the fluidity of pandemic policies."
[Visuals: Officials at the Door, Handing Over the Notice]
[Scene: New Quarantine Arrangements]
Narrator: "Sharing the apartment with a colleague who wasn't required to quarantine posed another dilemma. To avoid impacting his work, I opted to self-quarantine at a hotel approved by the community."
[Visuals: Narrator Packing, Moving to the Hotel]
Narrator: "I settled into a hotel close to my work and residence. Quarantine life resumed, with meals delivered to my door. Yet, an inspection five days later by a supervisory team deemed my arrangement non-compliant due to improper disposal of trash. Consequently, I was moved back to a centralized quarantine hotel for an additional 9 days."
[Visuals: Daily Routine in the Hotel, Followed by the Inspection]
Narrator: "With no explanation, I found myself in an extended quarantine in Changji City, lasting a total of 30 days. By May 21st, after completing all formalities and receiving a health certificate, I was finally recognized as 'normal' by the local authorities."
[Visuals: Calendar Marking 30 Days, Receiving Health Certificate]
[Scene: Continued Challenges]
Narrator: "Despite being compliant, the journey wasn't over. With my ID from Wuhan, I faced continuous scrutiny. From May 21st to June 1st, I answered numerous calls daily from various departments, verifying my information repeatedly."
[Visuals: Narrator Answering Phone Calls, Looking Frustrated]
Narrator: "Entering June, I hoped for relief, but my Wuhan ID continued to pose challenges. Despite having a green health code and all necessary documentation, my Wuhan origin meant additional verification processes everywhere I went."
[Visuals: Checking ID at Various Places, Making Phone Calls]
Narrator: "In Xinjiang, the rules differed for those not from Hubei. If your ID wasn't from Hubei, even coming from Wuhan with a negative test report meant no quarantine or scrutiny. Yet, for me, the checks persisted."
====================================
[Scene: Travel to Hami]
Narrator: "Mid-June brought a significant shift in my experience. A work trip to Hami was on the cards, and I took all the necessary steps, reporting to the community and consulting with the epidemic prevention center. The green health code in my possession meant I could travel without issues."
[Visuals: Packing for Trip, Displaying Green Health Code]
Narrator: "The journey to Hami was smooth, albeit with the usual half-hour questioning at stations. The real challenge arose on my return to Urumqi. Here, the rules were different. The station observation team informed me that entering Urumqi from another part of Xinjiang was akin to arriving from outside the region."
[Visuals: Train Journey, Station Arrival in Urumqi]
Narrator: "I found myself detained, which also impacted other passengers in my compartment."
[Visuals: Security Personnel at the Station, Detaining the Narrator]
[Scene: Interrogation and Inquiries]
Narrator: "During interrogation, I explained my situation, showing my green code and the fact that I had only been to Hami that day. However, the reason for this scrutiny was my Wuhan ID. Despite having been in Xinjiang since April 21 and completing a month of quarantine, my explanations fell on deaf ears."
[Visuals: Questioning Session, Display of Documents]
Narrator: "Authorities delved into my history since April, contacting various offices for confirmation, detaining me for an hour. My proof and compliance seemed irrelevant against my Wuhan ID."
[Visuals: Authorities Making Phone Calls, Narrator Waiting Anxiously]
[Scene: Aftermath and Decision]
Narrator: "Following this ordeal, I expressed to my leaders my reluctance to travel for work, especially to Urumqi, choosing instead to stay in Changji. Despite assurances of no discrimination against people from Wuhan, my experience suggested otherwise."
[Visuals: Narrator in Deep Thought, Communicating with Leaders]
[Scene: Renewed Quarantine Measures]
Narrator: "Around July 10, I started receiving calls again, confirming my details. Something felt amiss. On July 11, a late-night call from the police station inquired in detail about my three months in Xinjiang. The next morning, to my astonishment, the community informed me of another quarantine requirement."
[Visuals: Receiving Calls, Surprised and Confused Reactions]
Narrator: "Already three months in Xinjiang and having completed a month of quarantine, I was now being told to prepare for another stint, with no clear reason or duration."
[Visuals: Packing Belongings in a Hurry]
[Scene: The Observation Hotel and Big Data List]
Narrator: "At the observation hotel, I found myself among 54 people on a list generated by big data, with no explanation as to why we were selected for additional quarantine. Despite our attempts at reasoning, the decision stood firm."
[Visuals: People Gathering at Hotel, List Being Shown]
Narrator: "Frustrated, we collectively demanded answers. Calls were made to higher authorities, but no satisfactory explanation was provided. Ultimately, it was decided that we would undergo a one-day quarantine followed by testing, with the possibility of release if tests came back negative."
[Visuals: Group of People Discussing, Making Phone Calls]
Narrator: "This marked my third quarantine in Xinjiang, a testament to the unpredictability and challenges of navigating pandemic measures in these unprecedented times."
[Visuals: Narrator Reflecting in the Hotel Room, Calendar Marking Third Quarantine]
=====================
[Scene: Quarantine Connections]
Narrator: "During our quarantine, we, the quarantined, communicated and realized we had no clear connections or commonalities. The only link I could think of was my visit to Hami a month earlier."
[Visuals: People Talking, Trying to Find Commonalities]
[Scene: Sudden Health Checks]
Narrator: "After a day of quarantine, our night was interrupted by the observation team and nurses for sample collection. The next morning, we were escorted for CT scans. Surprisingly, right after these tests, we were released without any reports or results from either the nucleic acid + antibody tests or the CT scans."
[Visuals: Health Workers Collecting Samples, CT Scans Being Done]
Narrator: "This was my third set of tests in Xinjiang, and yet again, no report was provided."
[Visuals: Narrator Reflecting on the Lack of Reports]
[Scene: Lockdown News]
Narrator: "My confusion persisted until I saw the news on July 15 about Urumqi's lockdown starting July 16. Suddenly, the pieces of the puzzle began to fit."
[Visuals: News Footage of Urumqi Lockdown Announcement]
[Scene: Life in Changji]
Narrator: "Post-lockdown, travel between Changji and Urumqi was halted. Inside Changji, however, life continued as usual. We queried the community about leaving Xinjiang, and they said it was feasible with a recent nucleic acid test report and an available flight. Yet, reaching the airport, now cut off from Urumqi, seemed an unsolvable riddle."
[Visuals: Roads Blocked, Life Continuing in Changji]
[Scene: Increasing Cases and Lockdown Measures]
Narrator: "As days passed, Urumqi's cases gradually rose, but Changji remained a mystery. Suddenly, on July 26, Changji's lockdown was announced, leading to a rush for supplies and eventual sealing of our neighborhood."
[Visuals: People Stocking Supplies, Neighborhood Being Sealed]
[Scene: Quarantine Adjustments]
Narrator: "Our team, residing in three separate apartments, had initially used one as a kitchen. With the new lockdown, our access to this communal space was restricted. The community’s mass testing on July 29 offered no hope of reports, a pattern we were becoming accustomed to."
[Visuals: Team Using Kitchen, Then Being Restricted]
[Scene: Quest for a Test Report]
Narrator: "Determined to find a way out, we learned that local hospitals could perform tests and provide reports. However, upon visiting them, I found an overwhelming crowd and no testing. Calls to various health institutions offered no clear solution. That evening, our freedom was further restricted with the sealing of our unit doors."
[Visuals: Crowded Hospitals, Calls to Health Institutions]
Narrator: "Our request for meals was met with denial. The building management suggested either buying kitchenware to cook ourselves or all five of us, men in our 30s, squeezing into the kitchen apartment."
[Visuals: Frustrated Team, Discussing Options]
Narrator: "These solutions, according to the management, were more practical than our proposal of having meals delivered for a fee."
[Visuals: Team Members in Disbelief, Contemplating Next Steps]
=========================
[Scene: Relief and Frustration]
Narrator: "July 31st brought a mix of relief and frustration. The good news: we were finally allowed to have meals delivered, ending our hunger. The bad news, however, was a significant setback."
[Visuals: Meals Being Delivered, People Expressing Relief and Frustration]
Narrator: "For anyone wanting to leave Xinjiang, a new mandate required completing a 14-day home quarantine, followed by nucleic acid and antibody testing. Only those who passed could leave the region. This meant another quarantine waiting for me in Wuhan."
[Visuals: Calendar Marking Quarantine Days, Testing Procedures]
Narrator: "Now, let me share my personal thoughts on the epidemic prevention work in Xinjiang. Remember, these are my views, not necessarily reflecting the complete picture."
[Scene: Overworked Grassroots Workers]
Narrator: "Firstly, the grassroots workers in Xinjiang are incredibly overworked. They face a massive workload daily, with no unified standards or clear instructions. This often leads to confusion and inconsistent enforcement."
[Visuals: Tired Grassroots Workers, Confused Interactions]
[Scene: Poor Epidemic Prevention Efforts]
Narrator: "Xinjiang's epidemic prevention efforts, in my opinion, fall short. There seems to be a one-size-fits-all policy, ignoring economic impacts and the lack of travel. It's not so much effective control but rather a lack of exposure due to limited travel."
[Visuals: Empty Streets, Static Health Checkpoints]
[Scene: Chaotic Prevention Measures]
Narrator: "The chaos is evident in the lack of communication and data sharing between departments. Every station, community, and organization operates in isolation, leading to redundant data collection and inefficiency."
[Visuals: Isolated Departments, Repetitive Data Collection]
[Scene: Disregard for Digital Information]
Narrator: "Despite having green health codes and other digital proofs, these aren't given due respect. Overwhelmed grassroots workers resort to simple, blanket policies to minimize their own risk and workload."
[Visuals: Health Codes Being Ignored, Overwhelmed Workers]
[Scene: Questionable Testing Standards]
Narrator: "From my experience, testing standards, particularly throat swabs, were subpar. Additionally, I never received any reports from the multiple tests I underwent. The only reassurance was the lack of contact from the community, hinting at negative results."
[Visuals: Testing Procedures, Lack of Report Distribution]
[Scene: Inconsistent Measures]
Narrator: "Contact tracing seems either non-existent or ineffective. Stricter measures for outsiders contrast sharply with the lax approach for locals. This inconsistency undermines the entire effort, making it appear more like a superficial task rather than a thorough health initiative."
[Visuals: Different Treatment for Locals and Outsiders]
[Scene: Rising Infection Rates]
Narrator: "Despite Urumqi's 16-day lockdown and Changji’s 6-day lockdown, infection rates are on the rise. Questions arise about the true number of infections and the transparency of reported cases."
[Visuals: Lockdown Scenes, Rising Graphs of Infection Rates]
[Scene: Lack of Transparency]
Narrator: "Finally, the overall epidemic prevention in Xinjiang lacks transparency and logic. The residents, including community workers, are often kept in the dark. There's a dire need for clarity and honesty in reporting and handling this pandemic."
====
[Visuals: Confused Residents, Community Meetings]
Narrator: "How long will this epidemic last? When will the authorities provide the much-needed data and information? These are questions that remain unanswered, leaving many of us in a state of uncertainty."
[Visuals: Narrator Looking Thoughtfully Out the Window, Pensive Music]
======
[CONCLUSION - Soft, Reflective Music Playing]
Narrator: "As we navigate these challenging times, stories like mine from Xinjiang during the COVID-19 pandemic shed light on the complexities and often the contradictions in managing such a crisis. The experiences I shared today, from the stringent quarantine measures to the lack of transparency in epidemic prevention efforts, highlight the need for a balanced, informed, and empathetic approach in public health policies."
[Visuals: Montage of Scenes from the Narrator's Story, Reflecting Key Moments]
Narrator: "These personal accounts aren't just narratives; they are reflections of real-life struggles and resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges. They remind us of the importance of understanding, patience, and unity as we all work towards overcoming this global health crisis."
[Visuals: People Helping Each Other, Community Unity]
Narrator: "If you found this story insightful and wish to hear more such real-life experiences and perspectives, please consider subscribing to our channel. Your support motivates us to bring more such content to you. Don't forget to like this video and follow us for updates on new releases. Together, let's stay informed and connected."
[Visuals: Call-to-Action - 'Subscribe', 'Like', and 'Follow' Buttons Animation]
[Screen Fades to Black, Music Fades Out]
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