Carlos Rafael Cué is a fifth-year student of the medicine major and is aware of the commitment involved in wearing a white coat because saving lives in Cuba is not a slogan, but a priority. That is why he proudly goes every day to fulfill his current mission: active research in his community of Arroyo Muerto, in the municipality of Majibacoa.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- But he is not alone. Since March 17, more than 28,000 medical science students in Cuba have been involved in this work, with the aim of identifying people with symptoms associated with the new coronavirus or acute respiratory conditions and then informing the health department.

“I am researching the entire population, with emphasis on adults over 60 and those who live alone. I also carry out preventive actions such as explaining to people the hygienic-sanitary measures, about the correct use of the mask, the importance of not leaving the house and other similar ones”, he says.

Although he knows that he is not alone in these tasks, he feels proud to be able to contribute to this battle. “Since I started studying to become a doctor, I've enjoyed keeping an eye on the health of my neighbors. Now, that the situation demands it much more, I feel more useful”.

Certainly, Carlitín, as he is called, has always been known by his friends as a responsible young man who wants to improve himself. This helpful and kind boy plays an active role within the University Student Federation (FEU) at the center level and excels in the preparation of cultural, political and recreational activities.

If he found any cases of respiratory symptoms and/or feverish symptoms, he would immediately report them to the specialists at the doctor's office, who report them to the Municipal Defense Council and so on, he adds.
Like him, other students of Stomatology and Medicine majors are linked to the active researches in communities of the eight municipalities of Las Tunas, and only in the higher years, the figure exceeds 1,500.

They are also present in the sanitary hearings that are carried out at a neighborhood level and contribute from the social networks to share informative and encouraging messages to the population.

For this reason, Carlitín adds that not because it has been repeated in the different media, the phrase that he dictates loses its validity: we must extreme the sanitary measures, because nobody is exempt from getting sick.