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KUALA LUMPUR: Many Malaysians were shocked by news reports that 600 pupils at an elementary school in Penang were forced to undergo hyssop tests and self-quarantine at home after one of their teachers tested positive for Covid-19.
The teacher, who is 40 years old, is the wife of a politician in Kedah and apparently had just returned from Sabah, where her husband had been campaigning during the recent state elections.
Imagine, even if teachers blatantly violate standard operating procedures (SOPs) designed to curb the spread of Covid-19, how can they set a good example for their students?
Logically, shouldn’t people like teachers, community leaders, and politicians be on the front line when it comes to SOP compliance to have a good influence on ordinary people?
There is a Malay proverb that says that leaders should not only exercise wisdom when giving orders, but also obey their own orders so that the people below them can follow in their footsteps.
Well, in the case of those who returned from the Covid-19 hotspots, they should have immediately gone for a swab test and remained under surveillance at home until the Ministry of Health (MOH) staff tests negative. of infection.
Beginning September 27, people returning from Sabah to other parts of the country through their international points of entry are required to undergo a mandatory examination. They also receive a letter under the Home Surveillance Order and must wear a pink bracelet that will only be removed after they test negative for Covid-19.
People under home surveillance need to be reminded that any intent to deliberately violate quarantine rules can have serious consequences, especially if they have just returned from a high-risk area.
The truth is that day by day our society is becoming more compliant when it comes to SOP compliance.
A simple rule of thumb like wearing a mask is considered a tedious task for some people who conveniently forget to wear one or bring it with them when they leave home. And some say they don’t like wearing a mask because they feel suffocated. Their excuses seem flimsy considering the severity of this pandemic that has spread throughout the world.
Fortunately, it is mandatory for members of the public to wear a face mask when in public places and people who defy this order will find themselves RM1,000 poorer under the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act of 1988.
Then there is the issue of smokers happily smoking in restaurants and sidewalks without concern for the well-being of non-smokers. According to an article I read on an Indonesian news portal, Indonesian lung expert Dr. Erlina Burhan said that coronavirus can be transmitted through droplets attached to cigarette smoke exhaled by smokers.
“The risk of infection can occur … when the smoker exhales, droplets can also be released,” he said.
Recently, I conducted a random survey of public places, such as supermarkets, in Kampung Baru here and I couldn’t help but observe the frivolous attitude of some people who cheated by taking their temperature: instead of their forehead, they placed the scanner on their hand or other part of your body.
I also noticed that some people were pretending to use their MySejahtera mobile app to check in at the entrances to business premises.
Muhammad Azwan, 27, who works in a sundries store, said the irresponsible attitude of some customers will only make it more difficult for Health Ministry staff to carry out contact tracing if one of their customers gives positive for Covid-19.
The Covid-19 guidelines and SOPs established by the National Security Council clearly require that all retailers ensure that the contact details of all their staff, vendors, and customers are entered manually or via MySejahtera. Before someone can enter your premises, body temperature must also be taken.
All it takes is one wandering individual to have a ripple effect. Yes, just the presence of a careless and irresponsible Covid-19 positive person among us can lead to multiple broadcasts and a skyrocketing increase in the number of cases.
Like the adage that one bad apple spoils the whole barrel, the actions of a few will destroy Malaysia’s excellent record in terms of handling the Covid-19 crisis.
Ministry of Health staff have been working tirelessly to treat Covid-19 patients in hospitals. They are also repeatedly advising the public to observe the necessary standard operating procedures.
Many healthcare workers have to go weeks and months without seeing their families, as they are at risk of infection and do not want to endanger the lives of their loved ones. Don’t we all feel sorry for them?
The president of the Malaysian Medical Association, Professor Datuk Dr. Subramaniam Muniandy, when contacted, said that the public cannot afford to ignore the danger posed by Covid-19 as it is still “hiding” in the community. Although before it seemed that the nation had been successful in its fight. against the invisible enemy.
“Although the World Health Organization has recognized Malaysia as one of the nations that have managed to control the pandemic, we still cannot celebrate. People must understand that the virus is still present in the community and it is not so easy to overcome it, ”he said.
He said the nonchalant attitude toward standard operating procedures, such as donning a mask and observing physical distancing, can contribute to a rapid increase in cases.
Like it or not, Malaysia is on the brink of a new wave of Covid-19 infections.
As the indefatigable commander of the Malaysian health services (Director General of Health) Tan Sri Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah reiterated, our victory or defeat is in our hands and “the Covid-19 wave is not seasonal and will be around us continuously. ”.
We still have a long way to go to win this fight against the coronavirus.
(The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.)Called
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