KUALA LUMPUR: While most would stay away from Covid-19 hotspots, a group of young Malaysians boldly stepped into a Covid-19 quarantine centre to assist frontliners.
The group of volunteers participated in Selangor Volunteer Drive (SEVO) which was organised by BNYV Selangor to set up the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Low-Risk Treatment Centre (PKRC) MAEPS 2.0 in Serdang, Selangor on Jan 21 and Jan 23.
Shamellya Norazizi, 24, said the volunteers were in high spirits but at the same time, cautious and compliant to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
"Absolutely not," she said when asked if any of the volunteers were apprehensive for being at the quarantine centre.
"We were already aware of the place and the tasks we were required to do. We were advised to wear face masks and disposable gloves and frequently sanitise our hands.
"We were also not allowed to take pictures since it is deemed to be sensitive material to be posted on social media," she told the New Straits Times.
Shamellya said the number of volunteers who joined for the second round on Saturday (Jan 23) doubled from 20 on Thursday (Jan 21) to over 40 individuals.
Muhammad Syazdanial Abu Yazid, 27, said their spirit of determination overpowered their fear of stepping into MAEPS which is considered a "hotbed" of the virus.
"There are some strict protocols that volunteers are expected to adhere to, including MySejahtera registration and maintaining physical distancing at all times.
"The person-in-charge at the PKRC prohibited us from touching unnecessary items inside the centre to avoid being infected.
"Despite our initial apprehensions, we pitched in our assistance to set up the ICU facilities to help ease the burden of our frontliners who are tirelessly battling the pandemic.
"No one can do everything but everyone can do something," he said, quoting the American author Max Lucado.
Zainal Adzam Zainal Awaluddin, 28, said the team's two-day volunteering activities led to the new ICU facilities at the PKRC 2.0 to began operating on Jan 24.
"This is the time we can lend a helping hand to our frontliners who are in dire need for support.
"We were keen to assist the frontliners because we know frontliners have a lot of responsibilities to treat Covid-19 patients in high numbers lately.
"So, we decided to set aside any apprehension we had, stepped into the centre, fully complied with all the SOP, and the resulting ICU facility is our small gesture of gratitude for our frontliners," he said.