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(单词翻译:双击或拖选)
Fear had gripped1 the nation, indeed the whole world. An unknown deadly virus had infected thousands of people and was spreading quickly. There was no cure and the number of cases was rising every day. In the media, SARS seemed to be the topic of every headline and news report. In Beijing, usually a lively and busy city, the streets were empty as people stayed at home in order to avoid the virus. The few who had to go outside covered their mouths with masks, which were soon to become symbols of the epidemic2. The numbers of new and suspected cases were announced on the news each day, as was the number of deaths.
As horrible as it was, SARS was not strong enough to break the determination of the Chinese people. Once the seriousness of the situation was fully3 understood, the government took quick and forceful action. Important safety rules were put in place, a new hospital was built in record time in Beijing, and schools were closed to prevent further spreading of the disease4. Funds5 were provided6 to make sure that people who didn't have medical insurance could still get treatment. Doctors and scientists worked around the clock to determine the origin of the disease and everyone did what they could to fight this new enemy.
But what was perhaps most impressive7 were the fearless efforts of the workers on the front line. Despite the risks, thousands of nurses, doctors, and hospital staff risked their lives to take care of the infected patients. The danger was very real, especially in the beginning, when little was known about the new disease. Of the nearly 5,000 SARS cases in China, almost 19% were medical workers, and many more were among the suspected cases. Dressed in hot protective8 suits, separated from their families, these real-life heroes worked under great pressure. The brave doctors and nurses, who came to be known as the "Angels in White", risked their lives in order to protect the country. Without their hard work and dedication9, the steps taken by the government would have been useless.
The difficult challenge brought out the best in many people, but it was the women who made the difference. More than half of the health care workers in China are women, and during the SARS period they showed just how important and brave they are.
One of the "angels", Zhang Jihui, head nurse of Guangzhou First Municipal10 People's Hospital, kept a journal11 which was published in People's Daily and on the Internet. The journal shows not only the skill and discipline of the hospital workers, but also the love and friendship that helped them deal with the terrible challenges. In her journal, Zhang Jihui describes a phone call from her child:
February 19, Wednesday
I haven't been home for several days. Today, I received a call from my daughter. "Mum, I really miss you. I promise not to upset you any more," she said in her lovely, pleading12 voice. "Will it make you happy if I sing a song for you?" I couldn't help but cry, letting my tears freely13 run down my face.
The SARS epidemic ended in the summer of 2003 after nearly eight months of fear and suffering. The human and economic losses will be felt for years to come, and the emergency also showed several of the shortcomings of the country's medical and health care system. Some of the heroic14 sacrifices of the "Angels in White" could have been avoided. In the early stages of the epidemic, doctors, nurses and other hospital workers were needlessly15 exposed to great danger as a result of poor administration16 and a lack of resources. Many important lessons have been learnt, and the country is now better prepared to deal with future epidemics17 and emergencies.
The "Angels in White" do not wish to be called heroes. Instead, they insist that they were simply doing their duty. In a time of fear and sadness, they provided hope and comfort for all of us. Not all the health care workers who were infected with the SARS virus recovered. Many died in the line of duty and left their families, friends, fellow workers, and patients deeply saddened by the loss. Those who died will not be forgotten. On International Nurses' Day, Vice18 Premier19 and Health Minister Wu Yi honoured the nation's nurses, saying that they had made an important contribution not only by fighting SARS but also by improving public health care in China. In the hearts and minds of the Chinese people, the memories of the brave "Angels in White" will live on forever.
1 gripped | |
v.抓紧( grip的过去式和过去分词 );吸引;引起;使感兴趣 | |
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2 epidemic | |
n.流行病;盛行;adj.流行性的,流传极广的 | |
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3 fully | |
adv.完全地,全部地,彻底地;充分地 | |
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4 disease | |
n.疾病,弊端 | |
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5 funds | |
n.pl.资金 | |
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6 provided | |
conj.假如,若是;adj.预备好的,由...供给的 | |
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7 impressive | |
adj.给人深刻印象的,感人的 | |
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8 protective | |
adj.防护的,保护的 | |
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9 dedication | |
n.奉献,献身,致力,题献,献辞 | |
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10 municipal | |
adj.市的,市政的;n.政府证券 | |
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11 journal | |
n.日志,日记;议事录;日记帐;杂志,定期刊物 | |
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12 pleading | |
n.恳求 | |
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13 freely | |
adv.自由地,随便地,无拘无束地 | |
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14 heroic | |
adj.英雄的,英勇的,崇高的 | |
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15 needlessly | |
adv.不需要地,不必要地 | |
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16 administration | |
n.经营,管理;行政,行政机关,管理部门 | |
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17 epidemics | |
n.流行病 | |
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18 vice | |
n.坏事;恶习;[pl.]台钳,老虎钳;adj.副的 | |
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19 premier | |
adj.首要的;n.总理,首相 | |
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