Friendly workers stay strong in Algeria

As Xu Kaidong demonstrated the proper way to put on a face mask at a rock crushing plant in the Algerian province of Guelma, his Chinese and Algerian colleagues at China Railway 17th Bureau Group watched closely.

"Watch very carefully," Xu said. "We should wear the mask in this way, with the side of lighter color inside to completely cover your mouth and nose," Xu said.

He approached Benrazke Samir, a 26-year-old Algerian, and helped him adjust the mask to the correct position.

The company's construction of an 84-kilometer section of highway has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, seven Algerian workers and five Chinese ones hang around the plant's living area. All of them have learned how to wear and disinfect masks and how to measure body temperature to guard against fever from the coronavirus.

They also recorded videos showing how to wash hands and properly carry out other sanitation measures to share with their families and friends.

Samir said the demonstrations have been important in stopping the contagious virus.

Sufficient epidemic prevention supplies have been sent from the company's Chinese headquarters, and they were distributed equally to each of the workers.

As of April 21, confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Algeria had reached 2,811, and deaths had climbed to 392, according to the Johns Hopkins University.

Knowing that at least one confirmed case had been reported within 10 kilometers of the plant, the workers said they are currently safe — in part thanks to their quick early prevention measures before the country had reported any cases.

Zhang Haidong, the plant manager, said he was grateful that when the coronavirus was spreading in China, an Algerian colleague shared a picture of a banner that read, "Stay Strong China".

"Such heartfelt friendship is something I will never forget," said Zhang, who has worked at the plant for many years.