CORONAVIRUS WATCH
KUCHING: As the number of people infected by the Wuhan 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) rise, the public become increasingly fearful as their daily routines get compromised.
Alisha Batrisha, 27, a salesperson at a local shopping mall, said she feared interacting with customers as she could not be certain of their health conditions.
“These days, I fear going to work as we work in an enclosed area (the mall) most of the time. Upon hearing someone coughing, evem at a distance, I sometimes panicked,” she said.
Willimena Catherine, 25, also a salesperson has the same opinions.
“Ever since the outbreak, I have been on high alert concerning anyone around me. Even the slightest cough can set me off,” she told New Sarawak Tribune.
As for, Rescelia Edwards, 25, she is constantly checking for stocks of face masks as it is still out of stock.
“I live in constant fear that I might contract the virus. I wear a face mask even in my housing area although I’m not wearing one now” she said.
Hadasha Juki, 26, said, “Sometimes I don’t want to step outside our house and come here (to the shopping mall), especially as I am not wearing any face mask.
“I live in constant fear of the virus as there is still no vaccine to kill it,” she said.
A photographer, Ahmad Azhar, 29, observed that it had been hard to buy fact masks following the virus outbreak as they had been sold out perhaps all over town.
“Everyone is afraid, but they can’t do anything,” he said.
His wife, Nur Fazlynn, 27, also thought alike.
“It makes us reluctant to visit our relatives or friends. It has affected our social life. Everyone is highly tense, watching out for themselves,” she said.
