'Sharing the burden' with Dien Chau

In recent days, people in Nghe An province have felt more reassured seeing convoys of specialized vehicles bearing the prominent gold lettering "Chemical Corps of Military Region 4" against the blue sky, patrolling various routes to disinfect areas where people have been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

On the evening of June 16, 2021, after a convoy of three vehicles had spent the night spraying disinfectant at the Center for Tropical Diseases, Nghe An Friendship General Hospital, where Covid-19 patients were being treated, the next morning on National Highway 46, along the Vinh city bypass towards Dien Chau, we encountered these "special warriors" rolling towards the epicenter of the outbreak.

The chemical forces of Military Region 4 sprayed disinfectant in areas related to Covid-19 patients in Dien Chau. Photo: Le Thang

Upon arriving in Dien Chau, under the direct command of Colonel Vuong Dinh Quang, Head of the Chemical Corps of Military Region 4, officers and soldiers of the 38th Chemical Battalion, along with 4 specialized vehicles, proceeded to spray disinfectant and sanitize sidewalks, roads, and public buildings with Cloramin-B in 7 communes related to COVID-19 positive patients: Dien Lien, Dien Kim, Dien Tan, Dien Thinh, Dien Trung, Minh Chau, and Dien Cat. With the spirit of "urgency, responsibility, thoroughness, and effectiveness," by the afternoon and evening of June 17, 2021, the Chemical Corps of Military Region 4 had completed the disinfection of the 7 communes and the headquarters of the District Party Committee, People's Committee, Military Command, District Police, and several other key locations.

The armed forces of Dien Chau district are carrying out disinfection spraying at locations where people had contact with patient number 11634. (Photo: Duy Dong)

We met Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Minh Dao, Commander of the Dien Chau District Military Command, just as he returned from a Steering Committee meeting.COVID-19 prevention and controlof the district. Immediately, he swiftly implemented all directives and determinations to contain the epidemic related to the armed forces. 100% of the military and militia personnel were mobilized to perform duties at lockdown checkpoints, and quarantine areas were activated, ready to receive F1, F2 cases, etc.

Visiting the "hot spots" in the district, people were truly impressed by the fighting spirit of the soldiers, militia, and police at the lockdown checkpoints, as well as the testing teams, in overcoming difficulties in the fight against the epidemic. During the day, the sun blazed down, easing slightly in the evening, but the oppressive heat still lingered. At this time, the officers and soldiers would quickly take turns showering and washing, then hastily eat the boxed meals brought by the "cooks" or the loaves of bread and cartons of milk donated by the locals, before handing over shifts to their comrades.

Militia forces are involved in preparing a quarantine area for Covid-19 patients in Dien Chau. Photo by Duy Dong.

Witnessing the hardships faced by the soldiers, when a COVID-19 checkpoint was set up near their home, Ms. Ngo Thu Thuy and her husband, who live near the Dien Lien Commune Health Station, readily donated everything from tables and chairs to other household items to help the soldiers.

Ms. Ngo Thu Thuy expressed: "I feel so sorry for the soldiers; they endure so many hardships. We villagers work all day, and although we're tired, after dinner we sleep soundly. But the soldiers can't even enjoy a bite of food; they're exhausted all day, and then they take turns staying awake at night, patrolling the entire village. Therefore, if they lack anything, my family and the villagers will help them wholeheartedly."

Taking Covid-19 test samples from residents of Dien Thinh commune. Photo: Thanh Cuong

On June 17, 2021, images of medical staff member Dieu Hang, one of 52 doctors and nurses returning from Ha Tinh who volunteered to reinforce the Dien Chau testing team, collecting samples until exhaustion, with her protective suit quickly opened so she could breathe some air and drink some water, were shared widely on social media and truly touched millions of hearts. Everyone expressed admiration for the willpower of this small woman. She lost several pounds in just one week of "fighting" at the epicenter of the outbreak.

The Facebook account "Minh Lưu Văn" posted two photos of Ms. Hang before and after her participation in the fight against the pandemic, along with the post "We deeply appreciate the people on the front lines fighting the Covid-19 pandemic," with words of admiration: "For a whole week supporting Ha Tinh, Ms. Hang and her colleagues worked tirelessly from morning till night to collect test samples. Yesterday, when withdrawing from Ha Tinh to support Dien Chau, Hang was completely exhausted... Yet, Hang only asked for a short rest before returning to support the people of Dien Chau instead of leaving the front lines. Thank you and wishing you good health."

Medical staff member Dieu Hang before going to fight the epidemic (right photo) and while on the front lines of the fight against the epidemic. Photo: FBNV

It took us a while to realize that the two girls in the two photos were the same person. Before joining the front lines of the pandemic, Dieu Hang was so young, beautiful, and radiant, but now she is even more beautiful. Despite losing weight, not wearing makeup, and without fashionable dresses or handbags, she is even more beautiful in the hearts of us, her colleagues, friends, and the people. She is truly beautiful, our "soldier" of the healthcare sector on the front lines of the pandemic.

With the concerted efforts and solidarity of all sectors and individuals, Dien Chau will surely overcome the Covid-19 pandemic.