The number of infections in Malaysia at the time of writing this article is 4140 cases and a total number of 44 deaths. This had been a sharp spike of numbers when compared to the early days of breakout of the Covid-19 virus where Malaysia was only looking at double digits infections and we could go without a single fatality for some days. However, those were the long-gone happy days, and it seems that Malaysia may be losing the fight against Covid.
Many Malaysians, as expected of us, placed
the blame on the government and that, is a fact. This Covid situation could
have been avoided if only the government were to exert the level of energy and enthusiasm
they have for their political conflicts, into battling covid-19.
However, the question I would like to pose
to fellow Malaysians is: “Do you think Malaysians themselves are entirely
innocent in this matter?”
I remembered having a conversation with a
friend over the phone back in November. Back then, the numbers of Covid
infection were reasonably quite concerning and were showing signs of a major
outbreak; despite being below 1000 infections, Malaysia was constantly breaking
new daily records in their Covid numbers. We end up discussing about our views
on the pandemic and much to my alarm, there was a lack of regard for the
severity of pandemic situation. Despite the surging Covid cases, she was still
able to summon up some positivity in the situation and was even in denial that
the actual infections had reached such dizzying heights. I felt her subtle
opposition on the government imposing a stricter lockdown in the country,
citing economic repercussions. She was still entirely confident that the
pandemic was still under control and that same friend of mine went for an
interstate travel when numbers are already reaching 4 digits.
It left me appalled. Do some Malaysians
just expect the virus to vanish out of thin air just because Malaysia had been
extremely successful in their first attempt to curb the virus back in March
2020? Do they secretly foster a belief that Malaysia is a country blessed with
celestial affinity and protection against the virus despite other countries,
even the successful ones such as China and Korea are constantly seeing a
resurgence in Covid numbers?
When there had been a slight reduce in
numbers and the arrival of vaccines to Malaysia in February 2021, many started
to let down our guards and decided to fully trust that the vaccine will be a
solution to all our Covid problems. Many
people were deciding to continue with their social events. Birthday parties and
celebrations were being held and social gatherings were done in full scale. My
Instagram stories and Instagram feeds started filing up with posts of friends
heading for night outs.
However, nobody can be as irresponsible as those who take lightly the
severity of their status as a potential close contact. These ladies and
gentlemen thought that it will be perfectly fine to ignore common logical sense
and to carry on with appointments and meetings, potentially bringing along the
virus for a tour throughout the whole community. Until now, some people still
fail to differentiate the severity of the Covid virus from your usual flu. In scenarios
like this, we can perfectly conclude that, ignorance kills.
The introduction of vaccines had been a
beacon of hope however its light is slowly waning. Promises of an end of the
tunnel had been made too fast, too early, without a realistic plan. Only a tiny
percentage of the population has been inoculated, yet people are getting back
on with their lives as if vaccines are ready at our doorsteps.
The pandemic has understandably affected
us in many ways and had greatly impact our lives in all the terrible ways. Families
and friends were being kept apart for months, couples were being separated and
for some people, the pandemic had taken a toll on their livelihood. Many people
are still silently enduring the hardships brought on by this pandemic.
This should not be a time where we put our
selfish wants and needs for leisure above the dire situation which calls for a
more responsible attitude and some sense of maturity. Our need for fun have to
be balanced against the woes suffered by front-liners working tirelessly to
ensure that people can still enjoy basic services such as healthcare and food
supplies.
With the importation of many new variants of the virus, the need for us
to stay vigilant had just reached an entirely new level of urgency. It is
important to not undermine our new bio enemy for the risks and consequences of
doing so is very real and merciless.
WHO had officially confirmed
the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Evidently, the transmission and fatality rate of the Covid-19 virus had greatly
increased. Every day, Malaysians are bombarded by another new record of daily
number of deaths. These numbers are not just statistical numbers-these are
flesh and blood individuals with their dreams and aspirations eradicated by the
virus, people who had loved ones to care for and people who had loved ones
waiting for their return home. Many families were being robbed off a future
with their loved ones to enjoy a future in a pandemic-free world. For some
families, the next family portrait can never be complete.
My hope to all fellow Malaysians, do not take this pandemic lightly. Your birthday celebrations can wait, your annual class gatherings can be postponed, our main priority now is to stay alive until we finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. In the pandemic age, everyone can be a hero just by staying at home and continue to cheer and show support for our superheroes, our front-liners, from the comforts of our homes.