This photo taken from the official Facebook page of Y. Elites Association Secretary-General Jacky Ko Chung-kit shows two senior residents (right) posing for a photo with a volunteer before using a free pick-up service to go to a COVID-19 testing center.

HONG KONG - During a heavy drizzle in chilly temperatures, two older adults in wheelchairs arrived at a COVID-19 testing center in Hong Kong to get their tests. Thanks to a group of volunteers, they were able to make it to the center in the pandemic-hit city without much trouble.

Behind the safe and effortless journey and others like it are unsung heroes from all walks of life, who raced to join the city’s pandemic battle against the worst-ever wave of COVID-19 infections, which have grown at an exponential rate in the city since February.

Jacky Ko Chung-kit’s firsthand experience on the front lines made him realize the problems faced by residents who are overwhelmed by the city’s worst-ever wave of pandemic. One such problem is the large amount of information on the pandemic

One of the heroes is Jacky Ko Chung-kit, secretary-general of the Y. Elites Association. Ko and his association have been working with another 38 youth groups, which enlisted a total of 200 automobile vehicles and 300 volunteers to help transport people and anti-pandemic supplies. Ko also takes a COVID-19 test himself each week.

Despite the improvement in the testing process, Ko said both manpower and testing capabilities are still in short supply, noting the long lines of people waiting outside testing facilities in the cold temperatures, the result of an intense winter monsoon.

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Ko’s firsthand experience on the front lines made him realize the problems faced by residents who are overwhelmed by the city’s worst-ever wave of pandemic. One such problem is the large amount of information on the pandemic.

Jacky Ko received donations of rapid antigen test kits from several organizations, and he and the volunteers pack them before sending them to social and charitable groups for distribution to grassroots residents later

Ko suggested the government use a centralized platform to distribute anti-pandemic information, as many residents have become confused from the avalanche of information from different sources.

In particular, many grassroots residents have found themselves unable to secure enough rapid antigen test kits, which may further strain their pocketbooks. To help address that problem, the young online Key Opinion Leader contacts with organizations that can get their hands on the kits. Ko received donations of the kits from several organizations, and he and the volunteers pack them before sending them to social and charitable groups for distribution to grassroots residents later.

“Volunteers come from all walks of life, including retirees, freelancers, tutors and clerks. They help pack the kits.” Ko said.

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He added that 10 to 20 people work per half-day shift to pack RAT kits. Each volunteer can pack about 500 kits per shift.