Shanghai Covid lockdown: resident trades playtime with cat for oranges amid food shortages

Ying Chengtuo has been quarantined since March 20, when his compound had a positive Covid-19 case before the citywide lockdown

Without much to offer, he offered a neighbour a 30-minute play date with his cat for three oranges

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Ying Chengtuo, who hadn’t eaten fruits for days amid Shanghai’s lockdown, offered his neighbour 30 minutes of play time with his cat (pictured) in exchange for three oranges. Photo: Ying Chengtuo

Published: 6:00pm, 12 Apr 2022

Shanghai residents stuck in an indefinite lockdown due to a Covid-19 outbreak have resorted to bartering for food they have struggled to access because the city’s logistics infrastructure is under immense strain.

While typical trades might involve eggs for toiletries, some people have become more creative in their bartering.

Ying Chengtuo, 29, obtained three oranges from his next-door neighbour by allowing her to play with his cat, Orange, for 30 minutes.

Ying has been quarantined since March 20, when a positive case was discovered in his compound. After receiving the notice, Ying rushed out to buy bags of rice and noodles to ensure that he “would not starve,” he told the South China Morning Post.

The box of oranges being offered for barter by Ying’s neighbour. Photo: Ying Chengtuo

However, he did not expect the lockdown to last for so long because the original plan had been to lift the quarantine on April 5. Like many people caught in limbo, Ying began to run out of certain types of food.