Fighting the epidemic in Nghe An: Seeing is believing!

Taking Covid-19 test samples. Photo: Thanh Cuong

The first Covid-19 epidemic in Nghe An was in Quynh Lap, Hoang Mai Town, on May 6, 2021. After 21 days of efforts, the Covid-19 risk here was considered resolved.

On June 14, 2021, the Covid-19 epidemic began to attack Nghe An again, right in Vinh city. And as of today, Covid-19 has been present in some localities in the province.

For over 2 weeks, the whole province has been struggling to fight the Covid-19 epidemic. Vinh city with 500,000 people is forced tosocial distancingaccording to Directive 16 of the Prime Minister. Many villages and communes of the districts also have to practice social distancing according to Directive 15. The loss of labor and money is huge. Social life has been disrupted quite a bit, if not a lot. The epidemic is still evolving in a complicated and unpredictable manner.

Workers of Halotexco Garment Joint Stock Company use epidemic prevention tools while working. Photo: HQ

The Covid-19 epidemic is causing us double losses, not only in the present but also in the long term. Everyone can see that very clearly and cannot help but worry. Rich countries are still struggling because of it, let alone "poor families" like our province and our country. I am not someone who tends to be overly optimistic. But I am not pessimistic enough to not see in this "war" things that can make us feel warm, secure and confident.

First, people are friendlier and more responsible for each other. Our ancestors have a saying "when the fire is out, the light is dim, we help each other". That's true. Normally, everyone takes care of their own work, "each person eats his own food, each person wears his own clothes". When the epidemic came, our people shared with each other, cared for each other more. I noticed that our people were gentler, more friendly, and more tolerant of each other, both at work and when shopping at the market. More than 52 billion VND was contributed to the Covid-19 Prevention and Control Fund. Bags and trucks of goods from our people for the isolated and locked-down areas in and outside the province. Bottles of water and gift bags for checkpoints. Doctors willing to rush to the epidemic, even in neighboring provinces. Difficulties have activated the kindness of our people, even though before the epidemic appeared, we might have felt sad about that expression of kindness.

Students together made "fake ears" and splash-proof goggles to send to the frontline of the fight against the epidemic. Photo: Archive

Second, both the people and the government are calm and alert to deal with the epidemic. There is anxiety but no panic. The government is still alert to make the most correct and effective decisions. Specialized agencies have coordinated more smoothly and effectively. Thousands of people are still calm and orderly waiting until late at night to get tested. That is when they show their attitude and civic responsibility. Doctors are still working diligently to compete to see who wins and who loses with Covid-19 in the hot weather of the Central Summer. The sense of responsibility of doctors, police forces, military forces... seems to be multiplied to dispel the community's worries.

Third, the professionalism and working efficiency of agencies, civil servants and public employees have been tested, trained and matured once again. Meetings at midnight and dawn; the race to trace Covid, collect samples and test... have affirmed the capacity and responsibility of the team and the government. On the other hand, people's legal awareness has also been trained and improved one step further. This is very clear from the compliance with decisions on epidemic prevention and control.

Director of the Department of Health directs epidemic prevention in Dien Chau district. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Fourth, from the urgent situation of fighting the epidemic, a new way of working is forming. All negligence, delay, and indiscipline are eliminated to make room for responsibility, discipline, and efficiency. Online work is increasingly being done because it is faster, less time-consuming, more accurate, and more effective. The role of the media, press, and social networks is being evaluated more correctly, more highly, and exploited more usefully. After the epidemic, this can also be considered a significant harvest for us.

And finally, the fifth thing, I see, this anti-epidemic period has made people trust the government and officials more. "That through adversity we understand each other". People and the government have sympathized, shared and bonded with each other more. Facebook is always full of expressions of respect for the government, reducing a lot of the reliance and gossip that used to exist...

For myself, I have seen things that are truly precious for us to overcome this difficult time together. I believe we will soon succeed.