United front puts city on road to recovery

In late January, the number of COVID-19 cases in Wuhan rose rapidly. Clinics treating fever were crowded with anxious patients, while overburdened doctors and nurses also became infected.

"In the beginning, I felt frightened to sit in the same car with doctors and nurses, but I soon overcame my fear. Doctors and nurses were already extremely stressed. I could not bear to see them walk for more than an hour to a hospital in order to treat patients," Hua said.

Due to a lack of supplies, she and other volunteer drivers were not equipped with protective gowns.

"There was also a severe shortage of alcohol disinfectants. Sometimes, I had to use saltwater to disinfect the car," Hua said.

She wears a face mask while driving, and to minimize risks, she always opens the windows of her car.

Authorities and hospitals gradually resumed transportation services for essential workers, such as medical professionals, significantly reducing the workload of volunteer drivers.

Hua has taken on additional tasks. She has helped unload donated supplies at a railway station and has also been assigned to highway checkpoints to take the temperature of drivers transporting necessities to the city.