Ninth day of MCO

Health director-general Datuk Seri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah announced another 235 new Covid-19 cases have been reported, bringing it to a total of 2,031 cases and the total; deaths to 23.  
With the sudden spike in the daily incidence there seem to be a panic- like reaction. Senior Minister (Defence) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob says will implement the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) in areas with high infection rate, aimed at preventing Covid-19 from spreading outside the area and will make house-to-house detection of the virus easier.

The enforcers have become harsher by taking serious action to fine and imprison those who breach the rules of the MCO. At the same time a  1,000 more retired doctors and nurses are recruited to join the frontline force to screen and treat Covid-19 patients. There are also calls to recruit all the qualified doctors from unrecognised colleges waiting to be employed. This may a right move which the ministry must seriously consider
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After 8 days of the MCO, looks like we are not really progressing as the Covid-19 seems to be spreading fast. We knew the danger was coming but we underestimated its magnitude as to even allow the change of government during an oncoming assault by the Corona virus. Looks like the battle may last longer than we anticipated and there are real fears we don’t enough resources for prolonged warfare against our invisible enemy. We badly need a strong, tested and committed political leadership but sadly that does not seem to be forthcoming.  

All we can do is give our full cooperation by strictly staying at home and persuade others to do so too. Use whatever means available to us, the social media, to convince fellow citizens that the fight against Covod-19 is not a trivial matter but a serious battle that we have no option but to win,and win as quickly as possible.

Eighth Day of Movement Control Order (MCO

The second week of the MCO begins with the distressing news of increasing cases of Covid-19. This was announced by Health Ministry director-general Datuk Seri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah. There were four new deaths and 172 new Covid-19 cases, bringing it to a total of 19 fatalities and 1,796 cases as of noon Wednesday, March 25,2020.He also said that the expected number of cases could reach 6,000 and arrangements are being to cope with this increase. At the same time, he reassured the people that the health ministry is doing its best to keep the number lower.

As expected PM Tan Sri Muhyddin, announced the decision to extend the MCO for another 3 weeks to 14 April 2020.Unfortunately he stopped short of announcing any aid package for the B40 category of citizens who will be most affected by this new extension of the MCO.

Many in this lower income group have no proper jobs or regular income to weather through this difficult time. Imagine a family with of 3 or 4 children living in a low cost flat in the city, without steady income, how are they going to cope during this crisis?

It is only logical some form of monetary aid must be budgeted for them, otherwise we may end up with bigger chaos being added to the already chaotic Covid-19 crisis. Time is not our side and the PM must act decisively and with great urgency to avoid things getting out of hand. There are no more racial and religious issues to blame as the Covid-19 transcends all these barriers.

Whether we like it or not,we have to brace for the next 3 weeks of uncertain challenges. It will take more than 3 weeks but at least we must the see the signs of victory. It is encouraging to read about the many generous individuals and corporations coming forward to contribute whatever they can to release the burden of the poor who need all the assistance. Let us chip in our own contributions to these efforts to help fellow Malaysians.

Another 3 weeks is a long time to weather with the Covid-19 infection looming over us and threatening the peace and tranquillity of our home and the country. As our frontline heroes are kept busy fighting the invisible enemy, let us make our lives better at home and catch up on the loss of precious moments before the Covid-19 catastrophe.

Let’s stay at home, keep clean and don’t forget to keep a distance from one another.

Four days into Movement Control Order (MCO)

The number of cases of infection rises by 153 and deaths increases by another 4 to a total 1,183 cases and 8 deaths. This increase is cases and deaths is indeed worrisome.

On the ground the cooperation from the people although better is still far from desired. The DG of Health is doing a good job of informing the people but much more has to be done by the government and those entrusted to lead in the fight against the Covid-19 outbreak. 

The DG of Health should include infection experts and experts in the various fields involved in the implementation of the MCO to address the nation via press regular conferences so that the people can get first-hand information on the actual status of the pandemic in our country. This may motivate the people to comply strictly the MCO.

Tomorrow the army is expected to join in to assist the police to enforce strict compliance of the people to the MCO. Whether this is a wise move I am not sure but by bringing in the army, its officers and personnel are exposed to the increased risk of infection. Is it necessary at this junction? What is really necessary is a more committed and decisive political leadership that can make the right and prompt decisions based of professional and expert advice on the various aspects in the treatment and prevention of the spread of the Corona virus, which threatens to be more virulent than expected.

As we end the day it is again more depressive than before but let us not give up hope as the outcome is very much in our hands. Let’s cooperate fully to stay at home, clean ourselves and continue to adhere to social distancing among one another to break the chain in the spread of the Covid-19.

Stop demoralizing doctors

This is a foolish move by the government at this time of national health crisis. It is a great demoralising blow for these young doctors who are in the forefront of the fight against Covid-19.They are risking their life for the safety of the people and instead of rewarding them they are being punished.How cruel?

The Health ministry should try its best to absorb them into its fold for what they are doing,so willingly and with full commitment and patriotism.

Many of us,doctors, who have served the military during the communist threat will understand the plight of these young doctors fighting an invisible  enemy.We salute them for protecting us,hope the government reviews its decision.I believe they will.

Second day of MCO

After 2 days into the 2weeks of Movement control Order (MCO), it is reassuring to know that the daily increase in Covid-19 cases seems to be not increasing as it did over the last 3 days. The people are beginning to understand the importance of staying at home and cooperate with the authorities to contain the pandemic. There is a sense of relief although the threat is far from over.

The next few days will be crucial in our fight against Covid-19. We must keep up with the preventive measures of self-cleanliness and social distancing. We must keep far away from people as there is no way of identifying those infected in the early days of the infection.

There much more to do to win the battle against Covid-19.We hope the people will continue to work together to thwart the spread to the virus. We also hope the leaders from the various ministries take pains to explain and update the situation regularly so that the people will not be misled and panic by fake news that is rampant.

To those infected and being treated we wish them speedy recovery and to the healthcare workers treating and screening the victims we say syabas. We appreciate the many establishments and individuals who have come forward to provide food to healthcare workers and those “isolated” in their homes, especially the elderly and physically challenged.

We retire tonight with the hope that tomorrow we will do better than today.

Good night

Battle against Covid 19 gets serious

As the nation goes into more guarded mode,with the imposition of the ‘controlled movement’ order to combat the Covid-19 crisis,let us adopt a more responsible and logical attitude towards this fight.

Yes,it is a dangerous infection but let us not create more panic and fear by our own inconsiderate actions to protect ourselves and our loved ones.We are reassured there is sufficient essential items for all.So why the mad rush to grab everything in the supermarkets and groceries without the consideration for others who will need them too.

What we are expected to do is nothing compared to what many are doing to keep us safe from the virus. Let’s not forget the many healthcare staff who are working round the clock to treat the Covid 19 victims thereby exposing themselves to contacting the virus themselves.We should be grateful to them for their sacrifices as they take up such dangerous services for the nation and the people.

On our part let us do the little we can to protect ourselves and those around us from the Covid-19.That will be our service to the nation.

COVID -19; Let’s fight together

The ongoing Covid-19 infection has taken the whole world by fear, like never before. The mass ‘hysteria-like’ reaction’ is out of proportion to what the danger really is.This is mainly to due the social media that has made the world very small where information is readily accessible to everyone from any nook and corner.

There is no doubt that Corona virus is a real danger and threat as it can spread very fast and can be deadly. We should be very cautious and take all necessary precautions to prevent the infection and its spread.This is especially important for those at high risk,like elderly and those with medical problems who can readily succumb to its fatal outcome.

The government is doing its best to contain the disease but we too must do our part by strictly adhering to the guidelines given by the authorities. At the same time let us not create panic by spreading news that are not correct and over-reacting to the threat of the virus.

We particularly salute our medical and health personnel involved in the treatment of infected cases,screening and prevention the spread of the disease.Their services are great sacrifices on their part,,exposing to the risk of contacting the disease themselves.

For their relentless services,we thank them

Covid -19,Are we over-reacting?

The ongoing Covid-19 infection has taken the whole world by fear, like never before. The mass ‘hysteria-like’ reaction’ is out of proportion to what the danger really is.This is mainly to due the social media that has made the world very small where information is readily accessible to everyone from any nook and corner.

There is no doubt that Corona virus is a real danger and threat as it can spread very fast and can be deadly. We should be very cautious and take all necessary precautions to prevent the infection and its spread.This is especially important for those at high risk,like elderly and those with medical problems who can readily succumb to its fatal outcome.

The government is doing its best to contain the disease but we too must do our part by strictly adhering to the guidelines given by the authorities. At the same time let us not create panic by spreading news that are not correct and over-reacting to the threat of the virus.

Feeling dejected in own country

In the whole recent political crisis,the backdoor change of government,the appointment of the new PM and the formation of the new cabinet,the biggest losers are the minorities, who seem to have been marginalized from the corridors power.

It is sad and painful that after over 6 decades of sacrificing so much for our country that we love so much,we are made to feel alien in our own land.Each and everyone of us have contributed so much for making the country what it is today, but these are just forgotten and gone.

As we go through this painful and disheartening period,let us not give up our hope but continue to strive to return our country to what it used to be,a racially united,progressive and harmonious Malaysia.