By Imran Ssemuddu
I know most of you are thrilled to go out and think it’s back to normal. We miss our friends, there’s so much boredom that has come with isolation and some had to go through self quarantine. Yes, it’s difficult not to go back to work like normally for people who are used to working five or six days a week to earn their living.
Some people rely on statistics from Ministry of Health on the few new cases of COVID-19 in the past couple of days to state their argument that the government should ease on the movement control order. However, according to medical experts, the virus has mutated, and we should remember we can be with the virus without showing any symptom. Above all, there is a window of 14 days in which the virus can show its symptoms. It’s not over yet. And it’s not going to be that easy!
Before and during COVID-19 pandemic, and for sure the forthcoming post-coronavirus, it’s a reality check on how disciplined we are in taking care of ourselves and how responsible we are at following instructions, rules and the standard operating procedures (SOPs) that are set out.
News of opening businesses is pretty good, however, most important consideration now is the health-being of everyone. We need to listen to the experts before we get excited to return to normal life.
Let us not act as though suddenly everything is going to be alright. Certainly our prayer is that everything would be back to former situation prior COVID-19 pandemic, however, we are still far from that. Nationwide tests are not possible due to its costly nature and the vaccine is yet to be found. Meanwhile, as we wait patiently, the clear message is for us to look at the list of the do’s and don’t’s that we should follow religiously.
As much as lifting or easing of the movement control order (MCO) is desirable, chances of the virus spreading is also high. We have seen cases of spike in infections following relaxation of lockdown in some countries and we should learn a lesson from mistakes they have done.
So, we must observe the SOPs and guidelines given by health experts and the authorities. Otherwise, we stand to have wasted all the time and sacrifices for the past 40 days of lockdown. Let us observe social distancing. Washing hands regularly and wearing masks should be adhered to.
Remember, if you have to go to work if it’s absolutely necessary, then keep a sanitiser and mask in your purse, backpack with you. If you are using public transport then minimise touching your face afterwards. The risk of getting infected is high. As we all know, the vaccines have not been found yet although there is a good recovery chance for those who have been infected.
Those thousands of people who have died around the world, especially in most European countries and the United States of America, should serve as an excellent warning for us to be cautious. Be a keeper of your own sanity by ensuring that we all fight the spread of the pandemic as one. Our highest priority is to keep healthy as well as to take care of the elderly since they are most vulnerable to the virus.
In short, the virus can spread easily in a crowd or a large gathering, so it is best to be within one metre or more distance range. Continue to use virtual means for meetings, use zoom and social media to help you. Yes, we know it may be slow and less organised, but let us be flexible in this difficult time.
Remember the saying “tough times call for tough measures”. This is the time to be flexible in doing things, not to waste time but increase efficiency, above all, contribute to fighting the spread of the virus. If we do not adhere to the rules, then things could go seriously wrong.
For families who have lost loved ones to COVID-19, to the selfless front liners who have had no breather, rushing into opening back and allowing people to go out, would demean the efforts!
What is absolutely true is that we can together fix the economy but we can’t bring back the dead.***