Quietly making a living during the epidemic season

Wandering on the deserted road

In contrast to the hustle and bustle of normal days, at night the streets inVinh cityare all quiet because people do not go out according to the Prime Minister's Directive 16. On Le Mao extended street, Mr. Nguyen Van T. is still diligently pushing the garbage truck to the collection point. Trip after trip, Mr. T. and his colleagues quietly collect garbage on the deserted street.

Vinh City is quarantined but the amount of household waste has not decreased. At night, the cleaning force still silently collects and transports waste on the streets. Photo: Duc Anh

On Ngo Duc Ke Street, Ms. Phan Thi P. and Ms. Le Thi H. also pushed the garbage cart, stopping occasionally in front of family gates to collect garbage. The summer night was hot, but the two still covered their heads and faces, wearing thick coats, their shirts soaked with sweat.

Ms. P. shared: “Normally, the smell of garbage requires covering the face, nose, hands, and feet, but now with the risk of spreading the disease, we have to cover even more. I know it is hot and uncomfortable, but there is no other way. Protecting yourself, your family, and the community is the most important thing right now.”

During the quarantine days, the streets are even quieter at night, but Nguyen Van T. is still diligently collecting and transporting garbage on Le Mao extended street. Photo: Cong Kien

The later it gets at night, the more deserted the streets are. There are almost no people on the streets. The cleaners working on Le Mao and Ngo Duc Ke streets have finished their work.garbage collection. The garbage is gathered at a point waiting for a specialized vehicle to take it to the treatment area. At this point, the cleaners can breathe a sigh of relief, rest for a while, then get back on the vehicle to return home.

Mr. Nguyen Van T. said: "Implementationsocial distancingHowever, the amount of daily household waste in residential areas has not decreased, so our work has not changed. However, there have been dozens of Covid-19 cases in the city, many of which are community infections, so we remind each other to be more careful in collecting and transporting waste. Especially, we must be very careful with used masks and gloves."

Like her colleagues, Ms. Phan Thi P. patiently collects and transports each truckload of garbage on Ngo Duc Ke Street to the collection point. Photo: Duc Anh

Not only Mr. T., Ms. P. and Ms. H., but all of their colleagues stay on the streets of Vinh city every night. They work hard to ensure the streets are clean, limit the risk of pollution, and contribute to preventing the spread of Covid-19.

Hurried journey to make a living

Along with the cleaners, on the quiet streets of Vinh at night, you can occasionally see shippers (delivery people) in a hurry. Tying the cargo behind their motorbikes, the shippers run through the streets, alleys and residential areas to deliver goods to customers. Coming into contact with dozens of people every day, more than anyone else, the delivery people are always conscious of complying with the regulations on disease prevention and control.Covid-19 epidemic.

Mr. Hoang Van B. has been a delivery man for nearly 5 years, this job brings him an income of about 200,000 VND/day. This is the main source of income for Mr. B.'s family, because his wife does not have a stable job, the children are still young, the family's living expenses depend on this amount of money. Therefore, despite the complicated developments of the epidemic, he still has to stick with his job.

Worried about the risk of spreading the disease, shippers equipped themselves with gloves, masks, and goggles before setting off. Photo: Duc Anh

“Before going out, I have to be fully equipped with the following items: Wear two masks, gloves, and anti-droplet glasses at the same time to ensure safety and limit the risk of Covid-19 infection. Normally, the quarantine time is not urgent, so I often choose to deliver at night to avoid the heat and limit contact with other people,” said Mr. B.

Also working as a shipper, on average, Mr. Nguyen Xuan N. delivers about 20 orders per day, this job gives him an income of about 250 thousand VND. At this time, due topandemicSo orders have decreased somewhat, plus the risk of infection, but Mr. N. still accepts daily deliveries. For the simple reason that each order is a hope...

For shippers, even though it's a quiet night and in the middle of an epidemic, each order is a hope. Photo: Duc Anh

In the past few days, Mr. N. has been delivering goods to customers in Vinh and some neighboring areas, since Vinh implemented social distancing according to theDirective No.16so he cannot leave the city. Knowing that he has to go to many places and meet and come into contact with many people, working day and night, so the risk of infection is high, Mr. N. has also fully equipped himself with masks, gloves and goggles to protect himself from droplets.

Mr. Nguyen Van N. shared: “Despite social distancing, life still moves forward, minimum needs still have to be met, so delivery workers are in great need. At a time when the epidemic is complicated, I have determined that I must strictly implement measures to limit the risk of spreading so that I can both earn income for my family and maintain safety, especially when delivering goods without close contact with customers.”

Despite social distancing, life still moves forward, minimum needs still have to be met, so there is a great need for people working as delivery people. Photo: Duc Anh

Vinh City is continuing to steadfastly fight the pandemic, and the coming days will certainly be full of difficulties and hardships. Every night, cleaners are still diligently cleaning the streets, and delivery people are still quietly making a living. Like all residents of Vinh City, they are looking forward to peaceful days, when the "Red City" will defeat the Covid-19 pandemic and return to normal life.