Bohao Liu, Author at Pavement Pieces

A tribute to the mask pioneers

Bohao Liu — Sun, 12 Jul 2020 00:58:21 +0000

Once the first coronavirus case was confirmed in New York City, the media started showing Asian people who live in the city wearing masks and it was met with criticism.

But the cultural clash on masks and the xenophobia linked to contagious diseases fueled the rise of anti-Asian sentiment. Wearing a face mask became a stigma for Asian people in this country, but many continued to wear one to protect their health and the health of their community.

Here are photos of Asians and Asian Americans wearing face masks in March, 2020 in the city.

A masked man with his loaded handcart walks in the golden hour in Flushing, Queens. Photo by Bohao Liu

The fruit vendor in a white coat and behind a white mask in Chinatown, Manhattan. Photo by Bohao Liu

Wearing masks near a fruit stand in Flushing, Queens. Photo by Bohao Li

Crossing the street in Flushing, Queens. Photo by Bohao Liu

A butcher wears a mask in Chinatown, Manhattan. Photo by Bohao Liu

A woman sits with a mask on in Chinatown, Manhattan. Photo by Bohao Liu

A worker wears a mask in Chinatown, Manhattan. Photo by Bohao Liu

Passersby wearing masks in Chinatown, Manhattan. Photo by Bohao Liu

Two cooks behind the roast meat and masks in Chinatown, Manhattan. Photo by Bohao Liu

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Masks or no masks?

Bohao Liu — Sun, 05 Jul 2020 14:25:19 +0000

The Trump administration's journey.

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Rail travel in China is popular during the pandemic and filled with safety measures

Bohao Liu — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 14:25:12 +0000

Traveling by rail is a popular choice in China. During last weekend’s traditional Dragon Boat Festival, 7.5 million passengers chose to take the train for the three day holiday.

But the pandemic has altered what train travel looks like. Passengers now must wear masks during the entire trip. At the departure gate, a high-raised infrared thermometer detects the passengers’ temperature when they pass. And once on the train, the attendant checks every passenger’s temperature.

When passengers arrive at their destination they must use WeChat or Alipay to scan a QR code to get an e-form to apply for a health code. For passengers who do not have a smartphone, they need to fill in a paper form to get a printed health code. A green code means you may move about unrestricted. Someone with a yellow code may be asked to stay home for seven days. Red code means you must quarantine for two weeks.

A train attendant holds the thermometer used to take passengers temperatures. Photo by Bohao Liu

A train attendant checks passengers’ temperature. Photo by Bohao Liu

High speed train to Guiyang. Photo by Bohao Liu

Passengers with mask on at Meishan Dong station. Photo by Bohao Liu

A passenger passes by the infrared thermometer at the destination. Photo by Bohao Liu

Passengers scan the QR code to apply for a health code of the destination city. Photo by Bohao Liu

Scanning the QR code to apply for a Health Code of the destination city is required once you get off the train. Photo by Bohao Liu

An infrared thermometers at the exit of Chengdu Dong station. Photo by Bohao Liu

Passengers wearing masks pass by the infrared thermometer. Photo by Bohao Liu

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Seafood markets in China lose business over new COVID-19 scare

Bohao Liu — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 15:02:53 +0000

Like many other seafood markets in China, Qing Shi Qiao in Sichuan has launched coronavirus testing for the workers and environmental samples because the coronavirus was detected on a salmon cutting board in Beijing’s Xinfadi market.

About 1,200 miles away from Beijing, the reopening in Sichuan was promising. But the salmon cutting board news hits the seafood markets and restaurants hard.

“The restaurant was still full on Saturday, but we only have several tables tonight,” said Lyu, the owner of the market’s Fude Hao Seafood Restaurant.

Now all sellers at Qing Shi Qiao must tell customers the imported types of seafood on sale. Salmon is temporarily removed from the stock in the markets.

Seafood market in the evening. Photo by Bohao Liu

An empty seafood table. Photo by Bohao Liu

Seafood in the restaurant. Photo by Bohao Liu

A waitress stands outside an empty restaurant. Photo by Bohao Liu

“Declared. June 15, 2020” All sellers must declare the types of seafood on sale. Photo by Bohao Liu

Sellers in a seafood market in Sichuan, China. Photo by Bohao Liu

A crab sits in a tank inside an empty seafood restaurant. Photo by Bohao Liu

An empty seafood restaurant. Photo by Bohao Liu

Full tank, empty restaurant. Photo by Bohao Liu

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China promotes street vendors to reboot the economy

Bohao Liu — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 12:19:58 +0000

Street vendors were prohibited in China, but the authority now encourages people to set up open-air stalls as part of the post-coronavirus economic plan. Like many other parts of the country, street vendors and restaurants in Sichuan now can set up stalls and outside dining without license or worrying about the Urban Administration Bureau, known as “Chengguan.”

Due to the outbreak of coronavirus, China’s economy shrank 6.8% in the first quarter compared with a year ago.

A restaurant puts tables outside. Photo by Bohao Liu

Exhibiting goods on an umbrella.Photo by Bohao Liu

A vendor fiddles with his flowers. Photo by Bohao Liu

A restaurant expands its space to sidewalk. Photo by Bohao Liu

An unattended stall. Photo by Bohao Liu

A street vendor exhibits goods on the ground. Photo by Bohao Liu

“Retail Space for Sale.” Photo by Bohao Liu

A street vendor cooks for customers. Photo by Bohao Liu

A couple sets up street BBQ stall. Photo by Bohao Liu

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