Publication date: Jan 03, 2025

In the context of the Omicron-induced lockdown in Shanghai, this paper investigated the appeals for assistance by citizens on Weibo, aiming to understand their principal challenges and immediate needs. This paper collected Weibo posts (N = 1040) containing the keyword “Shanghai Anti-epidemic Help” during the citywide lockdown. The online help requests from Shanghai citizens were analyzed across 7 dimensions, including the help sought, level of urgency, help recipient, the intended beneficiary of the help, expression, position, and emotion. The study found that the most common requests for assistance were related to social isolation, specifically in the areas of home and community (34. 81%), isolation (10. 86%), and personal freedom (7. 31%). Of all help requests, 11. 83% were deemed very urgent. Most of the Weibo posts sent out a plea for help to Internet users (56. 06%), primarily requesting help for themselves (26. 25%) or their families (27. 60%). The study found that personal freedom, food, and medical care were the most frequently sought help from the public, and most of the public’s positions and emotions were pessimistic. The relevant findings revealed the public’s needs and status during the city closure, providing a reference for emergency preparedness in public health events or emergencies.

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