National solidarity helps China get through COVID-19

By People's Daily

When Ren Yi, director of Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital's clinical lab, yelled "Negative" after taking a look at a verifying nucleic acid testing report of a 77-year-old COVID-19 patient on April 26, China's Wuhan finally embraced a historic moment in its battle against the novel coronavirus, with hospitals in the city cleared all COVID-19 cases.

"The people of Wuhan made it, which is a huge inspiration for those who are still fighting the virus around the world. Though it's a tough war, but the virus is not undefeatable," a foreign embassy said on social media.

Only those who experienced this war understand how tough it was for the city to clear all COVID-19 cases. Behind the achievement were the joint efforts made by over 60,000 medical workers assisting Wuhan in hundreds of medical teams from across the country. Waging a fierce war against death, they had no time to sleep but to only take naps by the operating tables without even taking off their protective suits. Besides, the skin on their hands was also eroded by disinfectants.

Only those who experienced this war understand the sincere commendation from Chinese President Xi Jinping: The power and confidence in winning the battle against the epidemic come from the Chinese people, and they are the real heroes.

Why is China able to contain the pandemic in a short period of time? That's a question raised by many from the international society. The answer is simple - the country, from the very beginning, has been doing everything for the people and by the people, and has launched a people's war against the novel coronavirus.

Romanian newspaper Libertatea published an article written by a journalist in China, saying the Chinese, to curb the spread of the virus, stopped visiting friends and relatives, and halted vacations and tours, turning themselves into homebodies overnight.

In the country's battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, the once crowded streets became empty and the once noisy squares were barely visited. All the people in the country implemented self-quarantine at home, and wore masks when they had to go out. Party members, police officers, social workers and volunteers worked hard to offer services for the residents. A strong defense against the virus was built through wide participation and concerted efforts.

Wuhan, a megacity with over 10 million people resolutely locked down its exits to contain the ferocious virus, just to protect the people in other parts of the country. From Jan. 23 to April 8, the city finally embraced the warm spring after withstanding rains and snows. Making huge sacrifices and contribution, the people in the city secured their home. They made an epic that is able to astonish the world in the 76-day lockdown, and the 1,800 hours shall be engraved in the history of human civilization.

"I secretly made a will before I came here, in case something bad would happen. In the will, I asked my son to kowtow to Wuhan's direction and not grieve," said a construction worker from east China's Shandong province who went to Wuhan to build the Huoshenshan Hospital.

Everyone stands as a defender and a warrior against the pandemic - the nurse who dropped off leaning against the doorframe, the researchers who sampled the virus at high risk, the primary-level Party cadres who delivered food to staff working on the frontline, the taxi drivers who offered free commuting services for medical workers, and the recovered patients who donated plasma.

Numerous heroes rose on the land of China, who made no grandiloquence or earth-shattering practices, but illustrated their loyalty to the country and responsibility to the nation with plain but caring acts.

A Chinese courier was featured on the cover of Time magazine for March 19, representing a group that bustled through cities during the pandemic, regardless of their own safety. What they delivered were warmth and confidence.

What impressed the world is also the discipline showcased by the Chinese public. New York Times said on its website that in the Temple of Earth, a park north of Tiananmen Square, the public chorus that gathers to sing every morning has stopped coming, and even the public places that are open are practically empty.

Every plain Chinese citizen shall be appreciated. Even though they kept social distance in the pandemic, their hearts became closer. The Chinese power in the global anti-pandemic efforts was astonishing. It came from the Chinese culture that teaches people not to escape difficulties and responsibilities, from the Chinese spirit that values mutual assistance, and from the sense of responsibility of a major country that always remains true to its original aspiration and keeps its mission firmly in mind.