Thread by @EVYSTADIUM, He went back to his hometown of Wuhan for Lunar New Year [...]

He went back to his hometown of Wuhan for Lunar New Year and was immediately put into lockdown for months. Li Wang, a researcher at the University of New Brunswick was hoping to get his Canadian PR but it was suddenly derailed as COVID-19 cases spiked. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/04/23/he-had-a-life-and-a-career-in-canada-his-trip-to-his-chinese-hometown-kept-him-away-for-bleak-scary-weeks-when-he-got-caught-in-its-severe-covid-19-lockdown.html

Now back in New Brunswick, Li Wang recalls the difficult, deeply constrained life that was his after he got caught near COVID-19’s epicentre.

Uncertain of when he'd be able to leave, he continued to work in opposite timezones with his Canadian colleagues, but was worried he wouldn't be able to come back to apply for PR. Here's an exchange over WeChat we shared back in February.
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/04/23/he-had-a-life-and-a-career-in-canada-his-trip-to-his-chinese-hometown-kept-him-away-for-bleak-scary-weeks-when-he-got-caught-in-its-severe-covid-19-lockdown.html

He saw the conditions in Wuhan, which he watched through video taken by his family's delivery driver (who would bring them groceries.) They were not allowed to go out for a walk. In this video, the driver says "Not even one person (on the street.)" https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/04/23/he-had-a-life-and-a-career-in-canada-his-trip-to-his-chinese-hometown-kept-him-away-for-bleak-scary-weeks-when-he-got-caught-in-its-severe-covid-19-lockdown.html

Here's some other video of people in February lined up outside a grocery store in Hubei province. That would be the only thing that was open for people — and most needed a permit. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/04/23/he-had-a-life-and-a-career-in-canada-his-trip-to-his-chinese-hometown-kept-him-away-for-bleak-scary-weeks-when-he-got-caught-in-its-severe-covid-19-lockdown.html

By March, things were looking up for Wang. By March 16, he was able able to leave lockdown, fly to Shenzhen for another quarantine and health tests, and try to fly back to Canada.

For Canada — it was the beginning of COVID cases growing and spreading.
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/04/23/he-had-a-life-and-a-career-in-canada-his-trip-to-his-chinese-hometown-kept-him-away-for-bleak-scary-weeks-when-he-got-caught-in-its-severe-covid-19-lockdown.html

After another two-week quarantine period in Shenzhen, doctors arrived at his door to conduct health tests. He received temperature checks, and passed the AI facial recognition app test that tracked his movements. A green colour indicates he's free to go: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/04/23/he-had-a-life-and-a-career-in-canada-his-trip-to-his-chinese-hometown-kept-him-away-for-bleak-scary-weeks-when-he-got-caught-in-its-severe-covid-19-lockdown.html

Then he flew back to Fredricton in April. And is now, adjusting to the jet lag. Even out of lockdown, he says China's rules are much more strict than those here. He also pointed out that his once-green QR code has turned yellow since he arrived. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/04/23/he-had-a-life-and-a-career-in-canada-his-trip-to-his-chinese-hometown-kept-him-away-for-bleak-scary-weeks-when-he-got-caught-in-its-severe-covid-19-lockdown.html

Through his family members, he's also seen businesses and streets open after Wuhan's lockdown — though strict security measures are still in place and people, still cautious of leaving their homes:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/04/23/he-had-a-life-and-a-career-in-canada-his-trip-to-his-chinese-hometown-kept-him-away-for-bleak-scary-weeks-when-he-got-caught-in-its-severe-covid-19-lockdown.html

Just the other day, his cousin, a doctor in Wuhan, sent him this photo. It was her first time ordering bubble tea since coming out of the lockdown. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/04/23/he-had-a-life-and-a-career-in-canada-his-trip-to-his-chinese-hometown-kept-him-away-for-bleak-scary-weeks-when-he-got-caught-in-its-severe-covid-19-lockdown.html

This is his months-long journey of returning back to Canada. Now, he's back on track, tells me he can finally access Google and work in the same timezone colleagues. Even more, he'll still have a chance to get his PR.

His story here: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/04/23/he-had-a-life-and-a-career-in-canada-his-trip-to-his-chinese-hometown-kept-him-away-for-bleak-scary-weeks-when-he-got-caught-in-its-severe-covid-19-lockdown.html

Now back in New Brunswick, Li Wang recalls the difficult, deeply constrained life that was his after he got caught near COVID-19’s epicentre.

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