Service, like charity, ought to begin at home

A video of an interpreter saying she had no time for herself as she was busy helping foreigners in isolation because of the novel coronavirus outbreak in Qingdao, Shandong province, has raised many questions on social media networks.

In the video, the volunteer claims she was helping foreigners buy food and drinks and also helping them get things for their pets. "Sometimes I am so busy arranging their lunch, I have no time for my own," the volunteer says, making many on social media ask if foreigners alone were entitled to such services.

On Sunday, local authorities in Qingdao's Jinjialing Street denied they were providing one-to-one service to foreigners, suggesting a particular residential community might be doing it. The authorities also said Chinese citizens' "rational requirements" would be met. But some on social media remained unhappy. "Can they provide similar services to Chinese citizens living in isolation," someone commented. The volunteer is helping foreigners who cannot speak Mandarin. But are there volunteers to help out local residents? Whatever the local residents' "rational requirements", the authorities must ensure the services given to local citizens are no less than those extended to foreigners. Foreigners are treated like guests in China. It is hoped the same services can also be extended to local residents in isolation.

Besides, why is the volunteer so overwhelmed that there is no time for her own lunch? Volunteers are not paid a salary, so they should not be saddled with so many guests. While it is good that some in Qingdao are helping foreigners in isolation, should they not be extending the same services to their own compatriots, too?

- ZHANG ZHOUXIANG, CHINA DAILY