‘MERS Warrior’ Sends Heartwarming Encouragement Message to ‘COVID Warrior’

Nurse Yang Seol-a Working in National Designated Negative Pressure Isolation Ward During 2015 MERS Outbreak

Delivering Fruit as Encouragement to Jeonnam National University Isolation Ward on the Frontline of COVID-19

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Unexpected encouragement messages and supplies from fellow nurses have been delivered to the nationally designated negative pressure isolation ward at Chonnam National University Hospital, which is continuously tense on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19, bringing a warm and touching atmosphere.

The protagonist is Nurse Yang Seol-ah, who experienced the "war against MERS" in the nationally designated negative pressure isolation ward in 2015 and became a topic of conversation for saying in an interview with a media outlet at the time, "If not me, then who?"

She is currently working in a general ward.

According to Chonnam National University on the 12th, Nurse Yang made a surprise visit to the isolation ward on the 10th, bringing cups filled with peeled fruit, about 30 pieces in total, as encouragement supplies.

Nurse Yang said, "With confirmed cases continuing to occur and the trend becoming prolonged, I thought of my colleagues who must be struggling in the isolation ward and sent this as a form of support," adding, "I wanted to pass on the encouragement I received from seniors five years ago, which was a great strength to me."

This encouragement sent by the "MERS warrior" to the "COVID warrior" was a different kind of emotion and comfort from the support received from various sectors of society so far.

A fruit cup personally made and delivered by nurse Yang Seol-ah. Photo by Jeonnam National University Hospital

The nurses had a meaningful time reaffirming their commitment to do their best to end COVID-19, enjoying a rare sweet break while eating the fruit and feeling encouraged by their colleague.

Among the 15 nurses currently working in the isolation ward, three are junior nurses who worked with Nurse Yang during the MERS outbreak.

One of these junior nurses said, "I was surprised by the sudden encouragement from my senior, and memories of the hard times we shared during MERS came to mind, which was heartwarming," adding, "I will repay the senior's encouragement by caring for patients without a single mistake with a stronger sense of responsibility."

Nurse Yang said, "Sometimes I felt depressed because we ate disposable lunch boxes and worked in a strictly controlled environment with outsiders," adding, "Even though it is tiring, I hope everyone can relieve fatigue and stress by talking a lot with colleagues."

She also said, "During MERS, I wore Level D protective suits several times a day," adding, "Since wearing protective suits consumes a lot of physical strength, it is important to manage stamina in the long term."

She continued, "I am proud and respectful of my colleagues who quietly and faithfully carry out their duties on the front lines," and added, "I hope they do their best with the sense of mission of 'If not me, then who?'"

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.