Foreigners play their part in epidemic prevention

A foreign volunteer takes people's temperatures at a Shanghai residential community. CHINA DAILY

Over 82 percent of the respondents agreed with the community-management measures and 89.2 percent believe that the measures taken by the local government have been very effective in preventing and controlling the epidemic.

The majority of respondents say that they hope to get more information, such as how the fight against the outbreak is progressing, the number of people infected and treated, and updates on the lifting of traffic restrictions, through English platforms or media.

Italian volunteer Ellen Loasby, 53, has lived in Shanghai for 12 years.

As she is fluent in Chinese, Loasby helps to find foreign volunteers to join the team and organizes activities. She also shares her volunteering experience through social media to encourage others to join the effort.

"Within the Jinfeng International Community Development Association, volunteer expats know very well how the international community works and are able to best represent their interests and needs. They will bring different perspectives to the situation, and these perspectives, combined with local ones, can generate creative ideas for solutions," Loasby says.

"Our overall goal is to build a bridge between the local and expat communities and to give expats a voice in their neighborhood. This is an opportunity for them to get involved in issues that matter to their lives here."

Contact the writer at heqi@chinadaily.com.cn