Be prepared to make sacrifices again
I DECIDED to write this letter after reading the article headlined “We must flatten the curve again” ( The Star, Oct 7; online at bit. ly/star_flatten) that reported on Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s speech on Tuesday.
The emergence of many new clusters of Covid-19 cases has made everyone around us a suspected carrier of the virus. But we can all combat this pandemic battle if are willing to make sacrifices once again.
Today, blaming those who came back from overseas or travelled from red zones and failed to quarantine themselves cannot change the increasing number of new cases. It is now time to focus on what we each can do. Each of us have important roles to play.
When we know of any family member, relative or friend returning from overseas or a place where the number of Covid-19 cases is high, we must keep our distance and, if necessary, look after him or her from afar. Even if the returnee has had a negative swab test on the same day he/she returns to us, the SOP should not be neglected as Covid-19 symptoms only appear days after a person is infected with the virus (according to the World Health Organisation).
There are a few of things that we can do to encourage these returnees to follow the SOP. As family members or friends, we can show our love and concern for them – support their emotions and let them know that the 14-day quarantine period is not something bad.
During their self-quarantine period, everyone in the family can take turns cooking and sending food to them – but remember to follow Health Ministry SOP at all times and do not come into contact with the person. Do communicate with each other through WhatsApp or any social media platform so that he/she won’t feel lonely.
Let’s do our best to make them feel comfortable and convince them that they will be fine during their 14 days staying at home to ensure they won’t feel tempted to break quarantine.
Let them know that it is OK to feel upset and assure them that we will always be there to help whenever they need us. Do share with them the latest updates on the pandemic in the country.
Make sure they are aware of Health Ministry guidelines and also the government’s plans for curbing the pandemic – those who have been overseas especially might not be familiar with local conditions.
Only their awareness can open their hearts to sacrifice and ensure they self-quarantine to save others.
Neglecting them would just make them feel unloved and might make them rebel and break quarantine.
We almost won the battle when we all sacrificed, staying and working from home during the phases of the MCO earlier – we successfully flattened the curve. Whether we like it or not, we have to sacrifice again now.
If you have no urgent matters to attend to, just stay at home. Working from home is also a good alternative to consider. Make sure to wear masks when visiting public areas, regularly and thoroughly wash hands, observe physical distancing, and postpone large scale gatherings. We don’t need government directives to do all this.
As we proved before, these small sacrifices can truly make a difference in breaking the chain of transmission. All in all, it requires sacrifice and solidarity during a pandemic to win the battle.
The trending #KitaJagaKita (we take care of each other) is truly a very powerful and meaningful hashtag that many Malaysians are spreading on social media to encourage Malaysians to face the pandemic together as one nation.
Let’s take care of each other and win the battle!
WAN FAIZATUL AZIRAH ISMAYATIM Universiti Teknologi Mara Shah Alam