While the COVID-19 pandemic “ended” about a year ago in Shanghai, its effects still linger in my daily life. This piece serves as a poignant reminder of the distressing quarantine and lockdown measures that were imposed upon us. People have developed a reliance on surgical masks, perhaps unconsciously wearing them as they venture outside. While COVID results in lasting respiratory issues or a loss of smell and taste, its true “sequela” lies in its permanent impacts on society. It is an unforgettable experience, and its repercussions fade into forever.