TRANSLATION | Eugenia Yang
Death is never on break. This pandemic has touched lives from all over the world. From the charity meal donation project, gathering corporate forces to raise nearly 70 million lifesaving High Flow Nasal Cannulas (HFNC), to the Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) nowadays, this kindness is still spreading and the number of donations continues to rise. As the initiator of all the events, Janet Chia is using her own power to bring the love of all societal enterprises together.
防疫女戰神
「沒有人是為了謀取私人利益，每一個人開口都是為了搶救醫院的重症病患，因為真的很需要所以開口，哪怕是只有一台HFNC救命神器也可以。」這一句簡單的話語，表述著永婕在募捐HFNC救命神器的過程，讓她很感動的一個狀態。
講起這段經歷，她說很感謝身邊的朋友與廠商都變成神隊友，讓我們的團隊越來越狀大。我一度打斷地詢問，這邊的「我們」指的是？她細細講起，其實「我們」是有專業強大的團隊在執行這些事情，裡面涵蓋了有醫療器材的廠商、公司同仁的支援、老公王兆杰作為軍師，還有富邦董事長蔡明忠與秘書、大特助等等。這個團隊會先根據特定醫院，從比較需要照顧（COVID-19)醫院，調查他們的急診、ICU、專責病房的病床等，像是亞東醫院是新北市最大的，這部分就會撥給亞東醫院比較多的HFNC「救命神器」;而北市的話，團隊則是將HFNC「救命神器」捐給聯合醫院的院本區，因為聯合醫院有許多家分院，由他們去分發各個分院的數量。
話題聊到小英總統的親自致電，「永婕，妳的熱情我100%可以證明，妳是美少女這件事，我120%更可以證明。」這對永婕來說是很大的驅動力，能接受總統的表揚是一件很光榮的事，一路上她做了很多的行動，有各種聲音出現，但她依然沒有想太多，秉持著信任，持續將醫療資源輸送第一線，很感謝小英總統正面的肯定，這讓她更加確信，她是在做一件有意義與正確的事，才會到後來有訂購逾百台的電動過濾式呼吸防護具（PAPR）的出現。
最好的身教
講起活動發起的初心，賈永婕分享著自己的妹妹是做餐飲業，疫情之際餐廳業者很慘沒事情做，於是她連絡妹妹說要做100個便當，6月1日下午三點永婕說她印象很深刻，要將便當送去「振興醫院」，正在吃中飯時與小孩們講起這件事，小女兒小羽跳出來說：「媽媽，那我有什麼可以幫到你的。」於賈永婕來說很意外，她開始請女兒們寫卡片，幫醫護人員加油打氣。
瞥見那一張桌上的A4紙上依序寫著星期幾要送幾個便當和醫院，在小女兒小羽眼中是「媽媽你寫這個字好亂，其實是世界有一種東西叫做google表單。」此時，賈永婕腦海一閃，「的確我就是要這樣教育小孩，所有事情都是要清清楚楚，包括金錢、贊助款項、記帳等等。」就這樣小女兒小羽開始接下這個任務，甚至很有使命感地跑來和永婕說，要做多一點事情，我不是只是一個助理，我跟你合作，我們是partner，所以也要站出來處理事情。最後忙不過來的賈永婕著手讓小孩去聯絡窗口，大女兒安安聯絡餐廳、小女兒小羽負責跟醫院接洽，只交代他們一件事情要有禮貌，不要丟媽媽的臉，不懂的地方就來問她。
戰疫追光者
焦慮、抱怨、責問，對於戰「疫」都無濟於事，「不要讓自己的怨氣蓋過自己的理智與正向的力量。」永婕說。或許我們能做的是凝聚力量，攜起手來去行動，去改變。講起自己，她說其實是一個不太有計劃的人，但只要有能力有機會，她希望能持續為社會盡一份力量。以自身出發，她強調不要害怕疫情，小心謹慎地去對抗它，但不要過度緊張，更呼籲民眾，如果很害怕出門，就在家裡用心地把自己每一天打理好，也許是好好吃一頓飯、整理環境，讓待在家中也有儀式感。如果說自己有打過疫苗，也可以想想看身邊是否有需要你關心、幫助的家人、朋友。人一旦有了目標，自己也會很開心，曾在一場直播中，她說到自己宏大的願望是在疫情結束之後登上小巨蛋唱歌，她打趣的的回覆，「因為我唱歌就是超難聽，現在大家都說很愛我，我就來考驗看看。」
回想這疫情之路付出與執行，本身很樂觀的她，曾經面臨家人與朋友突然離開，更讓她領悟到生命的渺小與脆弱，與其花更多時間處於負面狀態中，不如積極地向陽而生，生活要往前看往前走，我們能做的就是在每一個起伏中，踏踏實實耕耘好腳下的地，認真地活。這兩類看似迥異的存在證明賈永婕的熱情，如同她在臉書「賈永婕的跑跳人生」中簡介里寫的：人生是一場冒險，就讓一切迎面而來。
Fighting the Pandemic War
“No one is in it for personal gain. Everyone is asking around, hoping to save the patients in critical condition. They are asking because it’s necessary. Even if it means there’s only one HFNC left.” One simple response, it expresses what Janet had gone through in the process of gathering HFNC donations.
Speaking of this experience, Janet said she is very grateful for her friends and the companies who were willing to step up and support them. Confused, I asked who’s the “them” she is referring to? It turns out she was referring to the professional and powerful team that includes the medical equipment manufacturers, colleagues at the company, her husband as the adviser, Chairman Daniel Tsai of Fubon Financial, Chairman Tsai’s secretary and executive assistant. After evaluating each hospital’s emergency room and ICU performance, the team then starts with specific hospitals in need. For instance, since Far Eastern Memorial Hospital is the biggest hospital in New Taipei City, they get a larger distribution of HFNCs. As for Taipei, the team focuses their donations on Taipei City Hospital because of its multiple branches, which calls for more HFNCs.
“I believe in your enthusiasm a hundred percent. As for you being an angel? That, I can prove with a hundred and twenty.” Speaking of President Tsai’s call, Janet says it is an honor to receive recognition from the president. Along the way, she had put in a lot of effort, while all kinds of voices started to appear. But she didn’t give them much thought and continued to hold on to her belief as she delivered the resources to the medical frontline. Janet is extremely grateful for President Tsai’s positive affirmation because it only reassures the fact that she is doing the right thing, which also leads to her future ordering of almost a hundred PAPRs.
The Best Education
When asked about why she started the whole project, Janet shares with us that her younger sister works in the restaurant industry. In the wake of the pandemic, many restaurant owners are struggling due to the no indoor dining restriction. So she contacted her sister and ordered 100 meals for the medical workers. On June 1st, Janet remembers specifically it was three in the afternoon when she was about to deliver all the bento boxes to Cheng Hsin General Hospital. She told her kids at lunch about her plan and to Janet’s surprise, her youngest daughter, Sandy, immediately asked, “Mom, how can I help?” Touched, she then asked her daughters to draft the thank you cards that they sent with the meals, hoping that they would help cheer up the medical staff.
Catching a glimpse of the A4 paper lying on the table with a rough schedule of the upcoming donations scribbled all over, her youngest daughter said to her, “Mom, your writing is so messy. There is this thing called Google Forms.” Janet thought to herself, “She’s right, this is how I should educate my kids. Everything needs to be clearly documented, including the finances, donations, sponsors and more.” As a result, Sandy became the one in charge of the task. She even came up to Janet with determination and told her mother that she is not just an assistant, but more like her partner who is able to step up and handle things too. In the end, overwhelmed by the busy schedule, Janet decided to let her kids be the contact person. Her older daughter Olivia is in charge of the restaurants while Sandy works with the hospitals. The only things she told her kids are to always be polite and never hesitate to ask questions.
Chasing the Lights
Anxiety, complaints, or questionings, none of these are helpful when it comes to fighting the pandemic. “Do not let our grievances take over our sensibility and positivity.” Perhaps what we can do is gather our strengths and join hands to bring real change. Speaking of herself, Janet said she is not someone who makes plans, but as long as she has the ability and opportunity, she still hopes to contribute to society in some way. Speaking from her own experience, Janet emphasizes the importance of not being afraid of the pandemic. Treat it with caution, but there is no need to be overly anxious. Moreover, she points out that it is also necessary to take good care of ourselves each day. Whether it’s cooking a good meal for yourself or tidying up the place, it helps if we try to establish a sense of ritual during lockdown. Even if you are vaccinated, still pay attention to the friends and family around you who might need help. Once we establish a goal in life, everything will become more meaningful. During one of her Instagram live sessions, Janet once said her grand wish after the pandemic is to sing on the stage of Taipei Arena. She teasingly said, “I’m a horrible singer, but now that everyone is my biggest fan, why not test it out?”
Reflecting on all the effort she had put in, Janet is an optimistic person. After going through the sudden loss of family members and friends, she realizes the insignificance and fragility of life in the face of death. Instead of spending time being engulfed in sadness, it is better to face it with positivity because life is all about moving forward. What we can do is to steady our grounds through all the ups and downs and to live with earnestness and sincerity. These two seemingly different existence together is a proof of Janet’s enthusiasm. Just like what she wrote in her Facebook profile: life is an adventure, so face all the challenges head on.