While medical workers continue the fight against COVID-19 on the frontline in central China’s Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, numerous volunteers are also making their contribution while being out of the spotlight.

Bao Lijie (Photo via Jilin Municipal Central Hospital)

Bao Lijie, a nurse from the Jilin Municipal Central Hospital in Jilin City, northeast China’s Jilin Province, joined the fight at the Hanyang Fangcang makeshift hospital in Wuhan on Feb. 15.

In addition to her colleagues, two volunteer drivers also serve as her “comrade-in-arms” in the battle.

Whenever Bao and her colleagues go to work, one of the two drivers always waits to pick them up in front of the hotel where they’re staying. “It seems that they never rest,” Bao said, adding that sometimes she has to start work at 2 a.m. at the temporary hospital.

She feels deeply indebted to the drivers, and sometimes notices that they are so tired that they doze off with their heads against the vehicle’s window.

“Are you afraid of coming into contact with us every day?” Bao once asked one of the drivers, surnamed Ding, who responded by saying they were grateful for the medical staff’s professionalism and kindness.

“We will not go home until the epidemic ends,” Ding said, hoping that the epidemic will end as soon as possible.

At the hotel where they are staying, a volunteer will wait to disinfect all medical staff whenever they come back from the Fangcang hospital. Bao was informed that the volunteer, whose wife is also a medical worker, has not had one day of rest since the outbreak.

Bao is also touched by the determination of other volunteers, including policemen and those responsible for bringing food to medical workers.

“We will keep fighting for these selfless and dedicated volunteers,” Bao added.