On February 24^th, Liu Futao finished his last of day work in the passenger temperature measuring zone at the exit of Longjia Airport, Changchun city. He is a senior student of the Business English major in JISU and a member of the Jilin Province Epidemics Prevention and Control Volunteers Team. He had worked as a temperature taker for passengers for nearly a month at both Changchun Railway Station and Longjia Airport.

He said: “Having heard the news of the Covid-19 epidemic in Wuhan, I was very worried about its damage to people’s health both mentally and physically. I was very excited to see the notice of young volunteers’ recruitment for the epidemic released by the Youth League Committee. As a volunteer of JISU, I have taken part in various voluntary activities about 100 times. Therefore, the spirit of love and communication has been embedded in our speech and behaviors. What’s more, I am a Communist Party Member. Whenever the country calls, I will go without hesitation.This is a sacred duty for us youth.”

On January 23rd, New Year’s Eve of the Chinese lunar calendar, the first Covid-19 case was confirmed in Jilin Province. At that time, Liu Futao realized the seriousness of the epidemic, and he knew there would be a demand for youth volunteers. Having heard the news of volunteer recruitment released by Jilin Provincial Committee of the Communist Youth League, he immediately signed up to be a volunteer temperature taker. Supported by his family, he came back to Changchun from his hometown, Dehui City, on January 29^th(The fifth day of Chinese Lunar New Year), and he jointly rented a room with his roommate Ma Zhengning outside JISU, waiting for the work notice.

Liu Futao (Left) and his roommate Ma Zhengning

Due to the shortage of protective medical clothing and masks, the Youth League Committee had not assigned him a task, considering volunteers’ health. Recommended by his roommate, Liu Futao helped the Committee take care of a WeChat group of volunteers. Through this group, he got to work publicly recognizing outstanding deeds of volunteers and giving comfort and encouragement to all youth volunteers.

As people gradually returned to Changchun, there was a demand for 40 volunteers to take people’s temperature. However, there were too many people signing up. Liu Futao kept waiting to see his placement notice on WeChat. Eventually he got his chance. He was assigned to work for the first batch of volunteer temperature takers. He said in a determined way, “Although I’m a bit nervous, I still want to go to the frontline because I’m a CPC member.”

Full-equipped Liu Futao

Having completed the training, he formally began to assist the passengers in taking temperature in Changchun Railway Station on February 5^th. “It takes at least 10 minutes to put on and take off protective clothing, goggles and other equipment every day. As the station is an entrance of the city where there is a heavy passenger flow, we should be careful and waste no time.” He said he often stood in the temperature taking zone the whole afternoon with no time to drink, rest, or relieve himself.

Liu Futao was taking temperature for passengers at CCRS

It was normal to meet with feverish passengers. When the automatic infrared temperature measuring machine alarmed, Liu Futao would check once more for the passenger as regulated, and guide the feverish passenger to the quarantine area. There were professional medical staff waiting there. He recalled, “Actually, I was scared at that time, but I thought the passenger might be more frightened, so I had to stay calm, comfort him and lead him to the quarantine area. I am a volunteer and a CPC member, so I will not easily escape from my position. After finishing the transfer, I came back to my position. Latter I heard that the passenger had just caught a cold, everyone felt relieved. I was happy for him and continued my work.”

Liu Futao (Right) and his roommate Ma Zhengning are wearing their protective clothing at Longjia Airport

On February 16^th, the temperature taking at CCRS ended. Having rested for several days, they went on with their work at Longjia Airport, Changchun city on February 21st. From 8:30 to 15:30, except for the lunch time, they remained in the temperature taking zone and measured passengers’ temperature without time for drinking, self-relieving and resting. “The airport was very hot so that I felt sweaty inside the protective clothing. However, I was touched by ‘Thank You!’ many times.”