Stay at home to fight the virus. Dr Gee Teak Sheng, a doctor at Pantai Hospital in Penang has posted a picture on his Facebook page urging the public to adhere to the government’s movement control order. — Dr Gee Teak Sheng Facebook photo
THE federal government’s movement control order (MCO) was scheduled to end on Tuesday. But, as we all know – from April Fools’ until April 14 inclusive – the order has been extended.
Hopefully, no further extension will be necessary beyond that date. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.
For the next fortnight, therefore, everybody in Malaysia is advised to stay put, at home, for the same reason why since the 18th of this month you and me have been under ‘house arrest’. If for some reason you have to go outdoors, you have to practise social distancing. Its sole purpose is simply our own protection, the safety of our loved ones, and that of those people around us. That means also that one is distancing oneself from the crowd of people.
Do you realise that you and I are at least helping the doctors, the nurses, and the other healthcare workers? How? If myself and auntie stay indoors, the doctors and the nurses have two patients less! Two hospital beds are given to others who need them more than we do.
The equipment such as the protective gear and other facilities at the hospitals are limited. The staff members are humans and as such have their limitations. They are overworked and under extreme stress. They have their own families and friends to love and care for too. Like the frontline soldiers in the trenches fighting an invisible enemy, their lives are in extreme danger every moment of the day and night. Why should we complain of boredom in a house?
Why the extension?
Someone emailed me asking why the necessity for the extension of time. Not the source of official information, I can only guess that the war against Covid-19 is far from over; so the restrictions on movement remain vital for containing the spread of the virus for the time being. It is my guess also that the authorities are determined to make a success of the containment exercise. They want to make sure that those people who had attended big gatherings, religious, and otherwise, will be tested for the symptoms of the coronavirus.
There are many people amongst the population who have not been tested for the symptoms and are required to undergo the tests. I learn as much from press sources (themselves front liners in this war). People who KNOW they were exposed to a risk are reluctant to show up for such tests. That’s more than irresponsible; it’s against the law (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act, 1988). The offshoot of such concealment is, among other things, the extension until April 14 and possibly beyond that date, if the people concerned refuse to be tested. Tests, tests, and tests. Until all the black sheep have been rounded up, the rest of the flock just isn’t safe!
My hope is that those people, who think that they have had physical contact with the virus suspects in the course of their meetings will inform the authorities of the fact, at once. Honesty is the best policy. They should think of the safety of fellow humans; by volunteering themselves to be tested for symptoms of the virus without delay, they can consider themselves as performing an essential service to the King, and country, and to God himself.
Make the best of it
During this period of restricted movement, people who are in the comfort of their own homes have nothing much to complain about, in the circumstances. Boredom is their only enemy but this can be overcome by being active while under detention for a good cause. They should think of the billions of fellow human beings who are being adversely impacted by the virus. Where will a homeless person self-isolate? Or a possible patient who lives in a one-room squatter hut with a dozen others?
For the fortunate lot in the population, staying at home does not mean that they are not allowed to move about the house, tend to the vegetable plots, or finish polishing the car, or do some physical exercise in the open air. No police man will detain them for leaving the house if they must buy food, medicine, or attend to some essential matters. It’s just not the time to go for a little joyride … rather a pity, as petrol is cheap at the moment.
For employees of government and companies, working from home may be less stressful than working in the office. Away from the constant surveillance of a fussy supervisor can provide mental relief. On the other hand, there will be a spouse and a couple of kiddies, clamouring for attention and entertainment.
Stay safe by not attending a gathering or being in a big crowd because among a crowd there may be possible carriers of the dreadful virus. You do not want to be an agent/carrier, do you? This defensive strategy is wisdom itself.
Let’s pray that it will work. It must work; failure is no option.
This strategy will contribute towards the eventual victory in this war for us.
Meanwhile, we cannot leave the fighting entirely to the doctors, nurses, and other healthcare fraternity. We must also recognise the important role played by the police and members of the armed forces, who are helping the police in implementing the order. While their own individual families are safely confined to the barracks, they are on duty on the frontline, risking their lives.
It is absolutely necessary that once and for all, the country must be rid of the virus soon, and, if citizens and other residents of the country don’t have the sense to obey restriction orders, they have to be forced to do so. Treat the partial lockdown as a necessary evil, the first and the last.
Personal note
Everyone has his or her own idea of utilising the time during the house lockdown. Most, I should say, will have their hand phones strapped to their necks now that they are not driving. What a wonderful time for those who possess such gadgets. Others do other things to while away the time. They read books and newspapers, or periodicals from page to page, knit or sew. Yet others listen to music or watch films. For students in universities and schools, this is the time for catching up with revision of lessons.
As a hermit, the past week has been used for catching up with reading, listening to the radio, enjoying the old films, and listening to the golden oldies. Auntie Di has sudden attacks of house-cleaning, and she’s marshalled all her books up and down the shelves into what she calls ‘logical order’. Keep busy, whatever it takes!
I welcome the spell away from meetings, conferences, seminars, and coffee talks. The good friends who usually ring up to come join us for coffee have to stay at home too – greetings to you all, fellows! We’ll meet again in better times.
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