青岛街道办回应优待外籍隔离人员：人性化服务丨Service must begin at home

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

In the video, the volunteer claims she was doing more than just translating the language for foreigners — she was helping them 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 to take my own," the volunteer is heard saying, making many on social media ask if foreigners alone were entitled to such services. 

On Sunday, local government authorities in Jinjialing Street denied they were providing one-to-one service to foreigners; this must be a service a particular residential community was providing. The authorities also said domestic citizens' "rational requirements" would be met.

The incident gained attention not because of the quality, but equality of service. As someone commented on micro blog, "Can they provide similar services to Chinese citizens living in isolation?"

The volunteer has been helping out foreigners who cannot speak Mandarin. But are there volunteers to help out local citizens who speak the language? Whatever the local residents' "rational requirements", the authorities must ensure the services they give to isolated local citizens are no less than those being given to foreigners. After all, foreigners have never been discriminated in China, with the Chinese people treating them like guests. But our own people should not be deprived of the warmth accorded to our guests.

Besides, the volunteer has her own life too. Why is she so overwhelmed that there is no time for her own lunch? The one who is serving should not be sacrificed for the sake of the one who is being served. Volunteers are not paid a salary, so they should not be saddled with so many guests that there is no time for their own meal.

While it is good that some in Qingdao are helping foreigners in isolation, should they not be helping out their own compatriots, too?

记者：张周项

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