Eye on the storm

"Many spent their time viewing bad news online around the clock and weren't in the mood to do anything else. But I want to remind people of hope. Don't panic. It's better to face the virus in a more positive way."

The suspension of public transportation in Wuhan has created challenges for medical workers' commutes and supply deliveries. Residents who own private cars have been volunteering to work as drivers.

Lin also became a driver on Jan 24, as is seen in his video blogs. Medical workers not only thank him with words. One gave him a N95 mask, an item that's urgently needed on the front line, when she disembarked.

The nurse asked Lin to protect himself and stay safe.

Lin says: "Of course, my family members all think it's dangerous to do this. But they understand my decision."

Lin says he hasn't responded to many netizens' offers to join the volunteers.

"Even a senior high school student said he wants to join," Lin says. "I told him: 'Stay home.' It's not something to do extemporaneously."

There are no official statistics on how many residents have become volunteers. Lin says some volunteers have told him there are as many as 40,000.