'Sharing the fire' with Dien Chau

In recent days, people in Nghe An province have felt more confident when seeing a convoy of special vehicles bearing the golden words "Military Region 4 Chemistry" standing out against the blue sky, present on all routes to disinfect areas infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

On the evening of June 16, 2021, a convoy of 3 vehicles had just spent the night spraying disinfectant at the Tropical Disease Center, Nghe An General Hospital, where Covid-19 patients are treated. The next morning, on National Highway 46, following the Vinh City bypass to Dien Chau, we encountered the "special warriors" rolling towards the epicenter.

Chemical forces of Military Region 4 spray disinfectant in areas related to Covid-19 patients in Dien Chau. Photo by Le Thang

Immediately upon arriving in Dien Chau, under the direct command of Colonel Vuong Dinh Quang, Chief of Chemical Department of Military Region 4, officers and soldiers of Chemical Battalion 38 and 4 special vehicles sprayed disinfectants and disinfected sidewalks, roads, and public buildings with Cloramin-B chemicals in 7 communes related to Covid-19 positive patients, including Dien Lien, Dien Kim, Dien Tan, Dien Thinh, Dien Trung, Minh Chau, and Dien Cat. With the spirit of "urgency, responsibility, thoughtfulness, and efficiency", in the afternoon and evening of June 17, 2021, the Chemical force of Military Region 4 completed disinfection of 7 communes and the headquarters of the District Party Committee, People's Committee, Military Command, District Police, and several other key areas.

Dien Chau district military forces spray disinfectant at locations where people have come into contact with patient 11634. Photo by Duy Dong

We met Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Minh Dao, Commander of Dien Chau District Military Command, when he had just returned from a Steering Committee meeting.Covid-19 preventionof the district. Immediately, all the district's determined instructions to fight the epidemic related to the armed forces were quickly deployed by him. 100% of the military and militia forces were mobilized to perform tasks at blockade posts, quarantine areas were activated, ready to receive F1, F2 cases...

Coming to the “hot spots” in the district, people truly admired the spirit of overcoming difficulties to fight the epidemic of the soldiers, militia, and police at the blockade points as well as the force taking samples for testing. During the day, the sun was scorching, and in the evening it temporarily cooled down, but the hot feeling was still present. At this time, officers and soldiers took turns bathing, then quickly ate the boxed lunches that the “foster brothers” had just brought or loaves of bread and cartons of milk donated by the people, to change shifts for their teammates.

Militia forces prepare quarantine areas for Covid-19 patients in Dien Chau. Photo by Duy Dong

Witnessing the hardships of the soldiers, when the anti-epidemic checkpoint was set up near her house, from tables, chairs to any other household items that could help the soldiers, Ngo Thu Thuy and her husband, who live near Dien Lien Commune Health Station, were all willing.

Ms. Ngo Thu Thuy expressed: “I feel sorry for the soldiers, they have to work hard in all kinds of ways. We, the people, work all day, and although we are tired, we can still sleep well after dinner, but the soldiers do not have delicious food in their mouths. Not only are they tired all day, but at night they also have to take turns patrolling the whole village. Therefore, if they lack anything, my family and the people will help them with all our heart.”

Taking Covid-19 test samples from people in Dien Thinh commune. Photo: Thanh Cuong

On June 17, 2021, the image of female medical staff Dieu Hang, one of 52 doctors and nurses returning from Ha Tinh, volunteering to go to Dien Chau, taking test samples until she was exhausted, her protective suit was quickly opened by everyone so she could take a little air and drink some water, was shared by the social network community, truly touching millions of hearts. Everyone expressed admiration for the will of that small person. She lost several pounds in just one week of "fighting" in the epicenter.

Facebook account “Minh Luu Van” posted two photos of Ms. Hang before and after going to fight the epidemic with the article “I really appreciate the people on the front line fighting Covid-19” with words of admiration: “For a whole week supporting Ha Tinh, every day Dieu Hang and her colleagues worked hard from morning to night to collect test samples. Yesterday, when withdrawing from Ha Tinh to support Dien Chau, Hang “collapsed” due to exhaustion… However, Hang only asked to rest for a bit, then returned to support the people of Dien Chau and did not leave the front line. Thank you and wish you good health.”

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

We looked for a long time before realizing that the two girls in the two photos were the same. Before going to the front line to fight the epidemic, Dieu Hang was young, beautiful, and fresh, but now she is even more beautiful. Even though she lost weight, did not wear makeup, did not wear fashionable clothes or handbags, she was more beautiful in the hearts of us, her colleagues, friends, and the people. You are so beautiful, "warrior" of the medical sector on the front line to fight the epidemic.

With the joint efforts and consensus of all sectors and people, Dien Chau will certainly defeat the Covid-19 pandemic.