Illustration: Xia Qing/GT

Shijiazhuang, capital of North China's Hebei Province, imposed traffic restrictions on several expressways two weeks ago for epidemic prevention. The city's passenger depot and the airport were shut down - its traffic connection with the outside was temporarily suspended. As a result, some college students and migrant workers were stranded. A series of actions to help these people were thus started. Four rescue vans have been operating 24 hours in the city, racing against time to help stranded people find accommodation. So far, the rescue station has set up two temporary shelters in the city, helped 224 people, and added more operators to the helpline in an effort to make sure that all people in need are safely accommodated. Even at 12 am, when the city was sleeping, the helpline was still online. In addition, Shijiazhuang-based provincial blood center's platelet inventory became tight. After the center appealed on multiple platforms for blood donations, local police, medical staff, logistics staff, and many other people made appointments to make platelet donations to help overcome the problem. Though the epidemic is still affecting people's lives, it has taught the Chinese people to cherish life, and to also understand the spirit of mutual assistance.