Xinhua News Agency, Hong Kong, March 6 Question: Hong Kong Anti-epidemic Team: "Red Ribbon" Retrograde under the Epidemic
Xinhua News Agency reporters Zhang Yue, Wan Houde and Xu Langxuan
Masks, face shields, gloves, isolation clothing, disinfectant alcohol... Sha Wenxiong confirmed that the epidemic prevention materials in the trunk were sufficient, he skillfully put on the blue isolation clothing, sat in the cab, and took out the new crown quick self-test box for daily trips. previous detection.
Although he was protected and disinfected every day, he was still a little uneasy while waiting for the result for a few minutes.
"One bar, it's negative." Sha Wenxiong breathed a sigh of relief and continued to wear masks, face shields and gloves, waiting for the dispatch center to send orders to pick up patients.
Under the epidemic, more and more Hong Kong people have no choice but to stop work and choose to stay at home, but there are also many people like Sha Wenxiong who choose to "retrograde" and join the anti-epidemic team.
"I want to do something for Hong Kong"
72-year-old Sha Wenxiong is a little thin, but very tough.
Having worked as a taxi driver for more than ten years, he is familiar with the streets and alleys of Hong Kong.
After the Lunar New Year, the Hong Kong SAR government tightened epidemic prevention and control measures, and restaurants were prohibited from dine-in after 6 pm.
Under the epidemic, the once brightly lit street market was sluggish, and there were few pedestrians on the road.
"I don't even know such Hong Kong anymore, and I feel really depressed." Sha Wenxiong couldn't sit still.
In mid-February, Sha Wenxiong saw the news that the Hong Kong SAR government had purchased the service and set up an anti-epidemic taxi fleet specially responsible for transporting the initial confirmed cases of the new crown to the clinic, so he decided to join.
On February 22, two days before joining the anti-epidemic taxi fleet, Sha Wenxiong's younger brother's family was diagnosed with new coronary pneumonia. They could only "help themselves" at home for fear of infecting others by taking public transportation.
Sha Wenxiong became more determined.
"Others may be helping your family, and you should try to help others as well," he said.
The anti-epidemic taxis dispatched uniformly through the Hong Kong Hospital Authority's reservation platform, and carried new crown patients for medical treatment free of charge. Each driver can receive six or seven orders per day.
According to regulations, passengers are required to stay in the back seat of the taxi and open the windows for ventilation throughout the journey.
Song Yilong joined the anti-epidemic taxi team through Sha Wenxiong's introduction.
"It's a lie to say that I'm not afraid. In the past two days, some people in the group of car friends said that they have to 'rest' for a few days and can't start work. , I quickly disinfected the car with alcohol, but I still feel very comforted when I think of helping the patient to seek medical treatment in time.
"If you have money, make money, and you will make an effort"
The Hong Kong Infection Control Centre at North Lantau Hospital is one of the designated hospitals in Hong Kong for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.
From Chai Wan to North Lantau Hospital, the 45-kilometer journey spans almost half of Hong Kong.
The elder brother Chen Zhijie got up at 5 o'clock, took a quick self-test for the new crown, and rushed to Chai Wan to pick up the medical staff to work.
Under the epidemic, Hong Kong's medical system is overloaded, and front-line medical staff are tenaciously persevering under extremely high pressure.
In order to catch the morning shift at 7 o'clock, Miss Ma, an anesthesiologist assistant at North Lantau Hospital, has to get up at 4 o'clock and spend nearly two hours to go to work.
Under the epidemic, the bus routes were adjusted and the frequency of shifts was reduced, making her way to work even more difficult.
Through a friend's introduction, Miss Ma called the anti-epidemic taxi hotline.
At half past five in the morning, Chen Zhijie was already waiting downstairs in her house.
After verifying Ms. Ma's medical identity, Chen Zhijie informed her that she was negative for the new crown rapid test in the morning, and introduced that there were hand sanitizers, disinfectant wipes and other anti-epidemic items in the car, and then drove off.
"If my job can reduce the commute time of medical staff, I will be very happy." In order to let Miss Ma rest in the car, Chen Zhijie stopped talking all the way.
After arriving, Miss Ma repeatedly thanked her.
The "Caring Anti-epidemic Convoy" that Chen Zhijie joined was organized by the Hong Kong Taxi Federation Youth Federation. It voluntarily transported anti-epidemic materials and picked up front-line medical staff. There was no fare or government subsidies.
Once the event was launched, more than 100 brothers participated.
The love action originally planned for two weeks from February 18 was continued by "default".
"Just like the anti-epidemic materials we use also come from social donations. In the current epidemic, everyone has the money to contribute, and to contribute." Chen Zhijie said.
Today, Chen Zhijie voluntarily transports medical staff to and from the hospital six or seven times a day, and can still operate normally at other times.
Whenever a passenger notices the "anti-epidemic taxi" sign on the window, he will praise his behavior.
"Walking with one heart and having me all the way"
"Moving, transporting, distributing, then moving and delivering materials..." Ling Junjie, chairman of the Hong Kong Elite Club, updated his circle of friends. Transporting anti-epidemic materials, picking up anti-epidemic personnel, and supporting community services are his main tasks in the near future.
"Many people with intentions want to do their part for Hong Kong's fight against the epidemic. The power of individuals is very small. We hope to establish a platform to unify and concentrate resources and then allocate them." Ling Junjie said.
On February 20th, the Hong Kong Elite Club launched the "One Heart and One Road with Me" Love Team Youth Action. In just 24 hours, more than 40 youth groups signed up and supported by multiple merchants, more than 200 vehicles and 300 Volunteers join the action.
Ling Junjie led the team to package and distribute the donated medicines, rapid test kits and other anti-epidemic materials to community residents every day.
"We also have a project in cooperation with an online doctor platform to provide treatment plans for COVID-19 patients who are quarantined at home after diagnosis." Ling Junjie said that after the doctor's online consultation gives a treatment plan, the caring team will send the COVID-19 patients to the hospital. Go for medicines and supplies.
Volunteers often can only leave the distributed materials at the door. Many residents have no time to say thank you, and can only watch the cars with the red "Caring Team" logo through the window drifting away.
"Under the epidemic, Hong Kong people are more and more united and know how to watch and help each other. Just like our slogan, 'Walking with one heart, I have me all the way'." Ling Junjie said.
Caring fleets, caring taxis, anti-epidemic taxis... These anti-epidemic fleets drive on the streets of Hong Kong like red ribbons conveying love and hope.
Under the epidemic, they are brave retrogrades.
Sometimes when Sha Wenxiong parked his car on the side of the road, someone would recognize that it was an anti-epidemic taxi through the sign, and then walked over and said, "Thank you!" "It's all up to you during the epidemic!"
"It's so heartwarming, so happy, and worth it." Sha Wenxiong's eyes turned into a crescent moon with a smile.