Ordinary People, Heroic Deeds

RECENTLY, the novel coronavirus outbreak has gripped the heart of every Chinese. At the time when every household is anticipating a family reunion during the Chinese New Year, they have to stay indoors. Provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities across the country all initiated a first-level response to public health events. For the sake of their own safety, people have been called to travel less, take more protections, and work from home. However, there are people in some posts who, despite the severity of the situation, remained on duty, putting their lives on the line to defend the integrity of their profession and serve the nation.

Angels in White

Since the reception of the first seven infected patients on December 29, 2019, Director Zhang Dingyu of the Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital and more than 600 medical staff have been fighting the virus at the largest special hospital for infectious diseases in Wuhan. All patients admitted are confirmed infected patients.

During these days, Zhang goes to bed as late as 2 a.m. and has to get up at 4 a.m. to take countless calls and handle various emergencies. But as time went by, as he rushed about each day dealing with critically ill patients, going up and down the stairs became more and more difficult for him. “I have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. My legs have started to shrink, and it will eventually affect my whole body. I must move quickly in order to rescue more patients from the virus,” said Zhang, who’s bloodshot eyes belied his calm demeanor.

Adding to the stress he was already under was the fact that his wife, also a medical worker, became infected with the virus while treating patients, and is now undergoing treatment in isolation in another hospital.

It was often the case that Zhang was unable to find time to visit his wife for three or four straight days. “I feel very guilty. I may be a good doctor, but not a good husband. I am scared of losing my wife,” he lamented. Fortunately, his wife recovered after treatment and was discharged from the hospital on January 29.

Zhang Dingyu and his colleagues in Wuhan are not fighting alone. Major hospitals across the country have sent medical teams to help. Among these, thousands of medical staff at Nanfang Hospital of the Southern Medical University in Guangdong Province volunteered to help, including doctors, nurses and even retired medical veterans.

Hospital Builders