Global limited edition: Brand-name bags during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract

This is a memento about the period of new coronavirus pneumonia. It’s also the most precious gift I have ever received and it’s the best medicine for a doctor during that period. It was April 2020 when COVID-19 swept the world. Suddenly various epidemic-related news appeared in front of people around the world through various channels. Then the scene of the city changed. The streets became empty where it used to be heavily crowded. The whole city stagnated as if the pause button was pressed in a movie only traffic lights were left to illuminate the deserted streets. The rainy dew blurred the window so that I couldn't see the scene outside the window clearly. And then an emergency call ring interrupted my thoughts and I rushed to the ward. Days like that were repeated day after day. I know it’s my duty because I am an emergency doctor. But doctors are also human beings I began to feel deeply depressed and anxious while I was busy and nervous at work. The work day and night made me overstretched and exhausted. In the heavy protective clothing the sweat wet my shirt again and again. And I began to miss my family. After another 72-hr shift I finally broke down. I complained in the online video class for students. I complained about wearing heavy protective clothing and running around 100 times with paper pen walkie-talkie mobile phone and thermometer every day. I said I feel like a fool. It was a catharsis of my emotions. However three days later I received an unexpected gift from a student in that class (Figure 1). When I opened this gift various emotions emerged. It was surprise moved admiration and guilt. She left a card for me “This is a brand-name bag made by myself in a global limited edition. I made it for you hoping that it can hold the things you need to carry every day. I also hope that it can pack your sadness and sorrow. Salute to every doctor who fights for love thank you.” My heart is embraced by this warm soul. This bag seems to have a magical power that makes me feel gratified. During the period of the COVID-19 I have been carrying this bag and it gives me company. Every time I feel difficult this bag made me feel the strength and allowed me to move on. Lin-Lin Hu and Zi-Jun Zhao conceptualized the project, wrote primary drafts of the manuscript, and contributed to final manuscript edits. Shuang Liang and Kui-Li Ma contributed to the conceptualization of the project and critically revised the manuscript.