Editor's note: In the battle with the COVID-19 epidemic, more and more fighters are coming to its front lines, including students and former students of the Open University of China (OUC). Like other fighters, no matter how ordinary, they are contributing what they can. Let's take a close look at some of their stories.

To the front lines of the war against the epidemic many veterans, just as they had vowed to do against a conventional adversary, have been returning to fight, setting examples of bravery and dedication. One of these, Zhang Haihui, is from the Hubei Branch, and belongs to the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Since the outbreak of the epidemic, people have been staying at home to help contain it. Community workers, however, have had a heavy work load, which has included monitoring fevers and shelter-in-place compliance, disseminating materials and information, and recording data. To help with this work, Zhang Haihui signed up as a volunteer in the Wanhao Shuian Fenglin neighbourhood of the Yanhu community in Jiangxia District, Wuhan. He has been mainly responsible for helping secure gates, undertake patrols, guide commuters, and distribute materials, collaborating with cadres, volunteers, and property-management personnel to help protect the neighbourhood from infection.

With more than 900 households in the neighbourhood, strict rules in place, and the situation turning critical in March, all residents were ordered to refrain from leaving their buildings, and supplies were delivered to the gates of their units by volunteers. The work load of these volunteers became very heavy. On patrol, they had to remain alert to ensure that residents did not even come to their balconies without wearing masks. Zhang Haihui, meanwhile, has gone “above and beyond” to be helpful to them. One family, for example, had a newborn baby, and since they were unable to dispose of the large quantity of diapers and other garbage they produced, he helped them get rid of it without drawing attention to himself. As a male he is able to undertake heavier tasks, and he does not mind getting tired; he thinks of the work as exercise, making him healthier while also allowing him to be helpful.

As a soldier, and someone in good health, Zhang Haihui takes it as his responsibility to help man the front lines of this battle. With infections confirmed in Building 23, he volunteered for duty there. Once, when a resident there was not feeling well, but did not have a thermometer, Zhang Haihui volunteered to take his temperature. This is just one example of his willingness to face risks, and a reason for the praise his courage has been given.

The happiness of the residents is his own happiness, and the more dangerous the work, the more valuable he feels it is.

To him, this epidemic is like a military enemy, one that, as a veteran, he was trained to face. What's more, as a party member, he feels bound to "serve the people," obeying the party's instructions and putting the interests of others above his own.

By Hubei Branch