BY MUHAMMAD BASIR ROSLAN
KUALA LUMPUR: Many Malaysians were taken aback by news reports that 600 pupils of a primary school in Penang were forced to undergo swab tests and quarantine themselves at home after one of their teachers tested positive for Covid-19.
The teacher, who is in her 40s, is the wife of a politician in Kedah and, apparently, she had just returned from Sabah where her husband had been campaigning during the recent state election.
Just imagine, even if teachers blatantly violate standard operating procedures (SOPs) designed to curb the transmission of Covid-19, how can they set a good example to their students?
Logically, shouldn’t people like teachers, community leaders and politicians be on the front line where SOP-compliance is concerned so that they have a good influence on ordinary people?
There is a Malay proverb that says leaders should not only exercise wisdom when giving orders but also obey their own commands so that the people below them can follow in their steps.
Well, in the case of those who returned from Covid-19 hotspots, they should have promptly gone for a swab test and remained under surveillance at home until they are tested negative for the infection by Ministry of Health (MoH) staff.
Starting Sept 27, individuals returning from Sabah to other parts of the country via its international entry points have to undergo compulsory screening. They are also given a letter under the home surveillance order (HSO) and have to wear a pink wristband which will only be removed after they test negative for
Covid-19.
People under home surveillance need to be reminded that any intention of theirs to deliberately violate the quarantine rules can lead to grave consequences, more so if they have just returned from a high-risk area.
The truth is, day by day, our society is becoming more complacent where SOP-compliance is concerned.
A simple rule like wearing a mask is seen as a tedious task for some people who conveniently forget to wear one or bring it with them when they leave the house. Some are saying they don’t like wearing a mask because they feel suffocated. Their excuses seem flimsy considering the seriousness of this pandemic that has swept across the whole world.
It is, fortunately, compulsory for the public to wear a face mask when in public places and individuals defying this order will find themselves RM1,000 poorer under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.
Then, there is the issue of smokers who puff away happily at restaurants and sidewalks with nary a care for the wellbeing of non-smokers. According to an article I read in an Indonesian news portal, an Indonesian lung expert Dr Erlina Burhan said that the coronavirus can be transmitted through droplets clinging to the cigarette smoke exhaled by smokers.
“The risk of infection can occur … when the smoker exhales, droplets may also be released,” she was quoted as saying.
Recently, I carried out a random survey of public places, such as supermarkets, in Kampung Baru here and couldn’t help observing the flippant attitude of some people who cheated when taking their temperatures — instead of their forehead, they placed the scanner over their hand or another part of their body.
I also noticed some individuals pretending to use their MySejahtera mobile application to check-in at the entrances of retail premises.
Muhammad Azwan, 27, who works in a sundry shop, said the irresponsible attitude of some customers will only make it more difficult for MoH staff to carry out contact tracing should one of their customers test positive for Covid-19.
The Covid-19 guidelines and SOPs set by the National Security Council clearly require all retailers to ensure that contact details of all their staff, suppliers and customers are recorded manually or via MySejahtera. Before anyone is allowed entry into their premises, their body temperature must also be taken.
All it takes is one errant individual to have a domino effect. Yes, just the presence of one careless and irresponsible Covid-19 positive person in our midst can lead to multiple transmissions and a spiraling rise in case numbers.
Just like the adage “one bad apple spoils the whole barrel”, the actions of a few will destroy Malaysia’s excellent track record in terms of handling the Covid-19 crisis.
MoH personnel have been working tirelessly to treat Covid-19 patients in hospitals. They are also repeatedly advising the public to observe the necessary SOPs.
Many healthcare workers have to go without seeing their families for weeks and months as they are exposed to the risk of infection and do not want to endanger the lives of their loved ones. Don’t we all feel sorry for them?
Malaysian Medical Association president Prof Datuk Dr Subramaniam Muniandy, when contacted, said the public cannot afford to ignore the danger posed by Covid-19 as it is still “hiding” in the community, although earlier, it appeared that the nation had succeeded in its fight against the invisible enemy.
“Although the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recognised Malaysia as among the nations that have managed to bring the pandemic under control, we cannot celebrate yet. The people must understand that the virus is still present in the community and it is not that easy to overcome it,” he said.
He said the lackadaisical attitude towards SOPs such as putting on a mask and observing physical distancing can contribute to a rapid spike in cases.
Whether we like it or not, Malaysia is on the brink of a new wave of Covid-19 infections.
As reiterated by Malaysia’s indefatigable commander of healthcare services (Health director-general) Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, our victory or defeat lies in our hands and “the Covid-19 wave is not seasonal and it will be around us continuously”.
We still have a long way to go to win this fight against the coronavirus. – Bernama
