Inspired YNU students work for epidemic prevention, control

Students of Yunnan University have been expressing their solidarity and concern, as well as actively participating in the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus pneumonia, according to YNU officials.

Jiangyin, located in East China's Jiangsu province, a city well-known for its textiles industry and a key national production center of face masks, was recently challenged by difficulties in resuming production after the epidemic outbreak, due to a lack of workers.

On Jan 28, the Chinese Communist Youth League Committee of Jiangyin announced a move on its WeChat account to recruit volunteers to produce face masks in a company in the high-tech zone.

Spotting the notice, Song Wanlin, a YNU student living in Jiangyin, signed up without hesitation and her choice was greatly supported by her parents.

YNU officials said that only after two and a half hours, the first batch of volunteers went to the company to join in the production there.

Among the 23 volunteers were students, chefs, company executives and government workers, while Song said she was the youngest.

“Following the epidemic outbreak, everyone is concerned and wants to do something,” she said, adding that standing guard at high-speed intersections, being a volunteer in the community and other types of contributions were all acceptable.

After guidance and training, the volunteers began their shift at the company, working without a stop from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, except for lunch.

“One more mask may save one more life”, said a company spokesman who said that with such a motivation, the volunteers could produce more than 20,000 face masks each day.

The spokesman added that thanks to volunteers, the company was one of the earliest firms in Jiangyin to resume work and a large number of face masks had already been sent to Hubei province, the epicenter of the outbreak and other places.

Meanwhile Song said during an interview that China Jiayou, Wuhan Jiayou, was not just a slogan, but a truly inspiring phrase. “University students have the responsibility and capability to shoulder what they need do at this time,” she added.

YNU student Song Wanlin (right) works as a volunteer producing masks in Jiangyin in Jiangsu province. [Photo/WeChat account of the office of student affairs of Yunnan University]