Devotion to duty in lockdown

For some people, being locked down at the workplace is better than being cooped up at home. Wang Lu, head of logistics at the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, is among those who have this sentiment.

"We have more space to move around at workplace than at home. We also have the company of our colleagues," says Wang, who has been living in the concert hall since March 31, with 19 other colleagues. "I often walk around the compound and take pictures of the concert hall."

During this period, Wang has to manage the logistics and security teams. She also makes it a point to look after all living things in the office, from the plants on colleagues' desks to the pet fish swimming in a bowl in the director's office. To share her experience, Wang started a video blog showing scenes like the concert hall in lockdown, cherry blossoms in the yard, sunset from the roof of the concert hall, and birds flying over the clear sky above the building. Her 9-year-old son, who is locked down at home with her parents in Pudong, contributed by drawing colorful animals that are featured in the vlog.

"Some music lovers have told me how they miss the concert hall and attending live concerts. I just wanted to share some hope and warmth under the current situation," says Wang.

Another person stationed at a cultural venue is Wang Wanchun, Party secretary of the Shanghai Symphony Hall. During the lockdown, he has been supervising the protection of music score books in the library and instruments in the warehouse. All these items, he says, need to be kept in spaces with controlled humidity and temperature. Aside from the maintenance responsibilities, he keeps himself informed about the elderly musicians who have retired from the orchestra.

"We have more than 90 elderly people living in care centers, with their families or in hospitals in Shanghai and nearby suburbs," he says. "In trying times like these, we have to pay attention to their needs, have supplies delivered to them, and try to give timely assistance if any of them faces an emergency."