Chen Ying, a nurse at the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, in Jinhua city, east China's Zhejiang province. The marks on her face are from wearing a face mask and protective goggles for long periods of time. [Photo/Qianjiang Evening News]
Chen Ying is a nurse at the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, in Jinhua city, east China's Zhejiang province. Chen and her boyfriend had originally intended to register for marriage on Valentine's Day.
However, the novel coronavirus epidemic forced them to change their plans. Chen was assigned to work on the frontlines against the outbreak on Jan. 25, the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year.
Chen Ying, a nurse working on the frontlines against COVID-19, interacts with her boyfriend through the glass door of an isolation ward in Jinhua city, east China's Zhejiang province, on Feb. 4, 2020. [Photo/Qianjiang Evening News]
During this challenging period, Chen often works until 2 a.m. and walks back to her dormitory alone. Concerned about her safety, her boyfriend stays up late every night to video chat with her as she makes her way home.
"Both of us are tired and sleepy late at night, so we don't actually talk too much. What matters is that I know he's there with me – that way I feel safe," Chen said.
After 11 days apart, Chen met up with her boyfriend on Feb. 4. for the first time since she joined the battle against the epidemic. "I miss you. How are the marks on your face?" "I miss you, too." The young couple expressed their love to one another through the glass door of the isolation ward.
