- Not all heroes wear capes.
Sometimes they wear surgical masks and can be found in hospitals. For six weeks, healthcare professionals have been working non stop to fight the COVID-19 epidemic, especially in China where in Hubei province alone there are 48,000 confirmed cases.
Across social media, China is paying tribute to these unsung heroes, sharing images of how their appearance under the masks since the outbreak has magnified their suffering and sacrifices.
On Twitter, People’s Daily China shared photos of nurses and doctors with deep marks on their faces from wearing tight masks and protective gears all day.
People’s Daily, China✔@PDChina
Nurses take off their face masks after a grueling shift in fight with novel #coronavirus, touching the hearts of millions on Chinese social media. Salute to these angels!#EverydayHero 
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In the fight against COVID-19, China has mobilized its doctors, nurses, medical staff, even the police and the military.
Netizens are touched yet at the same time, worried for the paramedics’ safety and expresses their concern on Twitter. Here are some of their tweets:
God bless them. They are heroes.— Washed in the Blood of the Lamb (@ArtOfTheState01) February 6, 2020
People’s Daily, China✔@PDChina ·
Nurses take off their face masks after a grueling shift in fight with novel #coronavirus, touching the hearts of millions on Chinese social media. Salute to these angels!#EverydayHero
Thank you for your hard work of 24 hours daily for the world.60 · Fujimi-shi, SaitamaTwitter Ads info and privacySee Ical Genji’s other TweetsPeople’s Daily, China✔@PDChina ·
Nurses take off their face masks after a grueling shift in fight with novel #coronavirus, touching the hearts of millions on Chinese social media. Salute to these angels!#EverydayHero
Take care you all. Remember we need you alive. Don’t be guilty to take rest when needed. It will do you good. It will be good for everyone.39Twitter Ads info and privacySee Iceblue102’s other Tweets
In an interview with BBC, a nurse known as Yao described what was going on behind the scenes at a Xiangyang hospital. Xiangyang is the second-largest city in Hubei after Wuhan.
“It’s a difficult job, it’s very sad and heartbreaking, and most of the time we don’t think about our own safety anymore. We also have to handle the patients with utmost care since they come to us afraid. Some are even on the brink of breaking down,” said Yao
As a result, the high volume of patients coming to their hospital meant they have to go on for another 12 hours without eating, drinking or even a bathroom break.
Despite the bad situation, Yao and her colleagues still have the drive to keep going as the public and netizens have been sharing words of encouragement.
Let’s all pray for all of us to get through this. Let us all be brave and support the front-liners in the battle against the coronavirus.
