[00:02.48]Reading
[00:03.97]ANGELS IN WHITE
[00:06.09]Fear had gripped the nation,
[00:09.09]indeed the whole world.
[00:10.74]An unknown deadly virus had infected thousands of people and was spreading quickly.
[00:17.11]There was no cure and the number of cases was rising every day.
[00:22.36]In the media, SARS seemed to the topic of every headline and news report.
[00:28.63]In Beijing, usually a lively and busy city,
[00:32.86]the streets were empty as people stayed at home in order to avoid the virus.
[00:31.86]The few who had to go outside covered their mouths with masks,
[00:36.72]which were soon to become symbols of the epidemic.
[00:39.96]The numbers of new and suspected cases were announced on the news each day,
[00:45.84]as was the number of deaths.
[00:48.08]As horrible as it was,
[00:51.04]SARS was not strong enough to break the determination of the Chinese people.
[00:55.95]Once the seriousness of the situation was fully understood,
[01:00.31]the government took quick and forceful action.
[01:03.78]Important safety rules were put in place,
[01:06.60]a new hospital was built in record time in Beijing,
[01:10.44]and schools were closed to prevent further spreading of the disease.
[01:15.09]Funds were provided to make sure that people who didn’t have medical insurance could still get treatment.
[01:21.86]Doctors and scientists worked around the clock to determine the origin of the disease and everyone did what they could to fight this new enemy.
[01:31.89]But what was perhaps most impressive were the fearless efforts of the workers on the front line.
[01:38.66]Despite the risks, thousands of nurses, doctors, and hospital staff risked their lives to take care of the infected patients.
[01:48.30]The danger was very real, especially in the beginning,
[01:52.82]when little was known about the new disease.
[01:55.74]Of the nearly 5,000 SARS cases in China,
[01:59.58]almost 19% were medical workers,
[02:02.72]and many more were among the suspected cases.
[02:06.56]Dressed in hot protective suits,
[02:09.30]separated from their families,
[02:11.73]these real-life heroes worked under great pressure.
[02:15.49]The brave doctors and nurses,
[02:18.13]who came to be known as the “Angels in White”,
[02:21.00]risked their lives in order to protect the country.
[02:24.32]Without their hard work and dedication,
[02:27.38]the steps taken by the government would have been useless.
[02:30.90]The difficult challenge brought out the best in many people,
[02:34.87]but it was the women who made the difference.
[02:37.51]More than half of the health care workers in China are women,
[02:41.43]and during the SARS period they showed just how important and brave they are.
[02:46.65]One of the “angels”, Zhang Jihui, head nurse of Guangzhou First Municipal People’s Hospital,
[02:53.52]kept a journal which was published in People’s daily and on the Internet.
[02:57.94]The journal shows of only the skill and discipline of the hospital workers
[03:03.06]but also the love and friendship that helped them deal with the terrible challenges.
[03:08.70]In her journal, Zhang Jihui describes a phone call from her child:
[03:13.82]February 19, Wednesday
[03:16.36]I haven’t been home for several days.
[03:19.59]Today, I received a call from my daughter.
[03:22.73]“Mum, I really miss you.
[03:25.50]I promise not to upset you any more,”
[03:28.45]she said in her lovely, pleading voice.
[03:31.38]“Will it make you happy if I sing a song for you?”
[03:35.50]I couldn’t help but cry, letting my tears freely run down my face.
[03:40.86]The SARS epidemic ended in the summer of 2003 after nearly eight months of fear and suffering.
[03:48.93]The human and economic losses will be felt for years to come,
[03:53.45]and the emergency also several of the shortcomings of the country’s medical and health care system.
[04:00.11]Some of the heroic sacrifices of the “Angels in White” could have been avoided.
[04:05.47]In the early stages of the epidemic, doctors,
[04:08.70]nurses and other hospital workers were needlessly exposed to great danger as a result of poor administration and a lack of resources. Many important lessons have been learnt
[04:14.27]and the country is now better prepared to deal with future epidemics and emergencies.
[04:18.68]Many important lessons have been learnt, and the country is now better prepared to deal with future epidemics and emergencies.
[04:26.83]The “Angels in White” do not wish no be called heroes.
[04:30.60]Instead, they insist that they were simply doing their duty.
[04:34.64]In a time of fear and sadness, they provided hope and comfort for all of us.
[04:40.60]Not all the health care workers who were infected with the SARS virus recovered.
[04:46.06]Many died in the line of duty and left their families,
[04:50.42]friends, fellow workers, and patients deeply saddened by the loss.
[04:55.07]Those who died will not be forgotten.
[04:57.95]On International Nurses’ Day,
[04:59.98]vice Premier and Health Minister Wu Yi honoured the nation’s nurses,
[05:05.26]saying that they had made an important contribution not only by fighting SARS but also by improving public health care in China.
[05:14.82]In the hearts and minds of the Chinese people,
[05:17.67]the memories of the brave “Angels in White” will live on forever |