"On the morning of the (lunar) New Year's eve, you seemed to be grieved, and your smile disappeared after a phone call. After a while, you told dad and me that you have joined the second medical team to help Wuhan in the fight against the novel coronavirus. When I learned that, I was very worried: in past years, our family was sitting around happily for a reunion dinner at this moment. But now, you are packing your luggage for the mission... "

It is an excerpt of a letter written by Li Junbo, a 10-year-old pupil in Xi'an City, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, to his mother Zhang Yi, who has joined the medical team assisting Wuhan, capital city of Central China's Hubei Province and the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

After his mother departed Xi'an, the boy started giving his mother moral support by keeping a diary and making a calendar, looking forward to her safe return after the mission.

On the evening of January 30, Li's blessing to his mother was broadcast on a TV program and his words touched many viewers. 

At that time, his mother, wearing clumsy protective gear, was busy working in the intensive care unit of Wuhan Ninth Hospital. 

As the leader of the critical care team, Zhang worked from 4 pm to midnight that day with another doctor and eight nurses, treating 32 patients, including eight in critical condition.

Zhang said she was deeply touched by her fellows, who did not complain about the pain caused by the protective gear and their underwear being soaked in sweat.

She appreciated the close cooperation of all the medical workers in such a tough period, adding that they are working without any distraction but try their best to save patients.

After the eight-hour shift, Zhang took about one hour to take off all the protective gear according to strict procedures and then returned to her temporary residence in a hotel at 1:30 in early morning.

She said she received more than 100 messages that night, but did not read them. 

Zhang went on to explain that the touching messages would make her emotional, which might affect her work the next day.

She said she had received a lot of praise, encouragement and support from her family and friends.

As a critical care doctor, it is her obligation to do so, Zhang said, adding that she herself was inspired by her team members and should inspire them in turn with full spirit and energy.

Zhang said she is looking forward to breathing freely without the protective equipment and once again staying with her family, friends and schoolmates when victory in the anti-virus fight is won.

(Women of China)