CAIRO－Sayed Mansi stopped a garbage collector in a street in downtown Cairo, sprayed his hands with a disinfectant and provided him with a medical face mask and a pair of gloves.

A campaign called "We Can" was launched by Mansi and his friends to help and educate people in the fight against the novel coronavirus, which has infected at least 327 locals and foreigners in Egypt and caused eight deaths so far.

"My friends and I thought that we shouldn't stand idle, and we should try to play a positive role in overcoming the novel coronavirus crisis," the 23-year-old told Xinhua.

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Started by five young volunteers, the campaign has expanded over the past few days and has 15 members now. Through their Facebook page, the volunteers are trying to attract more members across the country.

The campaign comes at a time when the prices of medical face masks, gloves and disinfectants have doubled or even tripled in Egypt due to demand, which prompted Mansi to urge all Egyptians to join the campaign and help provide such supplies to those who can't afford them.

"We buy the supplies... to distribute for free. We welcome people's support and donations in the form of gloves, face masks and disinfectants. We do not accept cash donations," Mansi said.

Besides providing pedestrians with medical masks and gloves, the volunteers also explain to people how to use a face mask properly, and how to keep a safe space when communicating with others.

Ola Ahmed, a woman in her mid-20s, said that she joined the anti-coronavirus campaign with her friends when her work as a nursemaid at a kindergarten was suspended due to the coronavirus.

"The people treat us very well although some are still reluctant to accept our service. But most people are very understanding. We will continue our campaign until the crisis is over," she said.

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"It is a nice effort and a kind imitative by these young people. They give us advice and guidelines to raise our awareness about the virus," said Ramadan Abdel-Hamid, a 63-year-old man. "People need more awareness and this is what the campaign is doing. I wish they would continue and hope their efforts are rewarded with success."

Abdel-Razek Saeed, 37, a health ministry employee from Minufiya province, happened to be in the capital and got a free face mask and a pair of gloves.

"I want to see more such initiatives to help those who cannot protect themselves from the virus. We are grateful to these thoughtful and responsible young people," he said.