China conducted its strict “zero-COVID” policy for nearly three years but last Wednesday announced a definitive move away from this long-held and extremely strict approach. The Chinese government also put forward a new COVID slogan: “Be the first person responsible for your own health,” implying a willingness to join the rest of the world in living with the coronavirus.

Changes were made quickly, with an end to citywide lockdowns, health code checks when traveling, and everyone being required to have a negative nucleic acid test result. The abrupt policy shift left ordinary Chinese not only feeling a sense of joy from their newfound freedom, but also confusion toward their new life in which they would have to co-exist with COVID.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 infections spread rapidly across China. The anxiety of being infected sparked panic buying of fever medicines and painkillers, leading to shortages online and in stores. Even canned peaches, which are rich in vitamin C, have been flying off the shelves, with people hoarding them in the hope of preventing infection from COVID-19.

A worker removes a sign asking visitors to take an antigen test near Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport, Dec. 10. 2022. IC

Travelers at Hongqiao Railway Station in Shanghai, Dec. 12, 2022. Qilai Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images/VCG

A woman takes a rapid antigen test for COVID-19 at the entrance of a hospital in Shanghai, Dec. 12, 2022. Aly Song/REUTERS/IC

Restaurant workers wearing face masks line up to get tested for COVID-19 at a nucleic acid testing site in Shanghai, Dec. 13, 2022. Aly Song/REUTERS/IC

A woman in a protective suit smokes a cigarette on a street in Shanghai, Dec. 12, 2022. Aly Song/REUTERS/IC

A woman pushes an elderly man in a wheelchair across the street in Shanghai, Dec. 12, 2022. Aly Song/REUTERS/IC

People stand in line at a fever clinic in Beijing, Dec. 9, 2022. Clinics designated for COVID-19 patients have filled up quickly since the city’s pandemic restrictions were lifted last week. Local media have advised people with mild cases to stay at home and leave hospital beds for those with more serious symptoms. VCG