After Changchun outbreak, volunteers step up

As a recent COVID-19 outbreak hit Changchun, Jilin province, many local residents went to the front lines as volunteers, sharing their devotion, optimism and love for the city and people.

Starting at 3 pm on Friday, all residential communities and villages in Changchun were placed under lockdown management, and residents were asked not to leave home unless necessary, according to a statement released by the city's epidemic prevention and control headquarters.

To ensure normal life for residents, a large number of community workers and volunteers went to every corner of the city to assist with testing, transport of daily supplies and providing other services.

The local government on Saturday released a call for volunteers across the city that attracted thousands of residents to sign up in a short time.

So far, more than 70,000 people have volunteered.

Other residents are trying their best to help the volunteers, who have experienced shortages of protective equipment and disinfectants.

Liu Bo, a resident of the Juye residential community in Changchun's Jingyuetan district, called on his neighbors to donate to the volunteers. After sending a message to their WeChat group, he received a quick response.

"Several hours later, they had donated nearly 100 N95 face masks, three boxes of disposable gloves and some disinfectants, all of which were from their private supplies," he said. "We are now staying at home, and these materials should be sent to those in need. As ordinary people, we can't go to the front line, but we hope to make some contributions to society."