Party members step up to front line of outbreak

Members of the Communist Party of China have devoted themselves to curbing the spread of COVID-19 on various front lines during the current outbreak in Shanghai.

Over 720,000 Party members, government officials and others have registered through an online Party-building platform to express their willingness to be involved with the city's epidemic prevention and control works as of the end of April.

Zhao Zhenhua, a Party member and a local high school teacher, has been voluntarily working as a temporary deputy Party head for the Liulier Community in Pudong New Area, where he lives, on the front line during the current COVID-19 wave.

He stepped up to assist the neighborhood committee to make up for the lack of manpower during the challenging time. Thanks to his organizational capability sharpened in teaching work, Zhao is busy in his temporary role and fulfilling his obligation as a Party member to serve people, organizing nucleic acid testing and the distribution of ration supplies, and responding to various needs of residents.

Zhao's devotion has inspired younger generations who are Party members to join forces to offer help.

"Neighbors who were just seen passing in the neighborhood in the past became familiar. For example, I know who works in the medical industry or who requests medications through the role. I'm happy to offer help to others," Zhao said.

About 6,600 medication service teams have been set up in townships and communities. In Sanlin town, Pudong, the Party member service center was used as a medication station.

Cooperating with pharmaceutical companies and hospitals including Shanghai Pharma and Sinopharm Group, the center has assisted designated units like Ruijin Hospital in dispensing medicines for residents who order online.

Jin Jinhua, secretary of the Party branch of Yuyi Residence in Hongkou district, has lived in the office of the neighborhood committee for over a month managing prevention and control measures.

What drove her persistence was the trust from over 1,800 residents in her to protect the residence. "Even though sometimes I'm exhausted, I can't just give up and let residents down," she said.

Jin recalled a challenging experience on April 9 and 10 when COVID-19 infections were continuously reported in the neighborhood. Under the leadership of Jin, Party members from the neighborhood put on protective suits and carried sprayers on their backs to disinfect the environment in the community.

"I witnessed the kindness among residents who helped each other during the hard time, donating food to those in need and taking care of the elderly. It motivates me to do more for the community to keep it safe," she said.

Statistics show that a total of 7,989 people, inspired by the Party members' behavior, have filled in applications to join the Party amid the current outbreak.