experiences that are unique to you
Therein lies the rub.
Exactly this.
You aren’t the only applicant from Asia and thus not the only applicant who experienced this. There are other countries who also had strict lockdowns who have students applying as well. Schools and activities in some parts of the country had been shut for over a year. It is not unique at all. You will need to go much further than “I couldn’t go anywhere” to make covid a selling point.