WE have survived one month of Movement Control Order (MCO). And what blessings have come to our shores.
The world is a becoming a beautiful place once more.
Pollution levels have gone down. The turtles are returning to beaches to lay eggs. Rivers are clearing up.
So, when these challenging yet strangely rewarding times are over, will we revert to our self-destructive mode?
After all, it was chaos we were heading for. Climate change. Lack of respect for nature. Uncaring societies. Overconsumption. Wastage.
Will we be able to sustain a new way of life — one that is healthier, more technologically advanced and gentler on the earth?
One that is economically viable and less dependent on oil and gas?
For our senior citizens, they must still stay at home so we must aim to make homes for our elderly comfortable and self sufficient. It may be better for those in the 55 to 65 years of age bracket who are still working to continue working from home.
The same goes for to those who are asthmatic or have heart problems.
However, the younger Gen Y, Gen Z and millennials can start going back to work, university and school, for instance, as they are less likely to succumb to this infection.
Virologist Professor Dr Sazaly Abu Bakar correctly pointed out: “All entities, private and government must establish workplace infection mitigation plans, which should include clearly outlined and communicated administrative policies and guidelines, standard operating procedures (SOPs), provisions for adequate relevant PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment) onsite and workplace engineering design to reduce disease transmission.”
Invariably, when we lift the MCO, the virus will find its way into communities.
How do we spot and contain this? Or do we let the communities slowly build up immunity against the virus before vaccines and a cure are made available?
Professor Datuk Dr Awang Bulgiba said: “We need to work on SOPs as well as a sentinel surveillance and analysis system to warn us of any potential surge in cases. For the long term, we need to work on a comprehensive Pandemic Preparedness Plan which connects the health, academic, lab and business sectors as well as step up our research into zoonotic diseases and the role of the environment in these.”
There are many possible ways to ensure we stay vigilant post-MCO.
Other measures to avoid a possible recurrence can include having schools inculcate a behavioural change towards cleaner and responsible self cleaning and healthy living through regular group exercise.
Education can incorporate incorporate creative and fun e-learning as well as ring-fencing SOPs for older citizens.
There should be an overhaul of air travel protocol; the ecosystem must provide for robust online e-commerce.
A protocol for interstate travel should be established and events’ restrictions put into place.
New SOPs for wet and dry markets, pasar malam, pasar tani, hawker centres (which need a total upgrade in cleanliness, fairness to workers and price increase to accommodate a better experience), playgrounds and theme parks should also be considered.
We should focus on services that matter, including healthcare, cleaners and postal.
Keeping track of our daily contacts will be another new normal to track any potential outbreaks.
Families are encourageed to cook and have at least one meal a day together. Exercising must be taken seriously.
Perhaps the most reassuring take from AI (Artificial Intelligence) and bioinformatics expert Ahmad Fauzi Ali is this: “A new hope must emerge out of the new normal. A world where we take heed of the lessons learnt and reflect seriously on how we will prepare ourselves for our future generations.
“We are demonstrating the best in us in moving to overcome the pandemic threat to our nation, but will we now be able to deal with the side effects of economic downturn and social distancing?
“How will our children grow up in this new world? How may we rebuild our community, our economies, our country to emerge stronger, more resilient and well prepared for the next round of things to come? Or will we just resign ourselves to normality and slowly wither away?”
Let’s crush that curve first. Do whatever it takes to do this right. Stay home till June if necessary.
There are no halfway measures nor is this the time for celebration. The countries that manage to defeat the coronavirus earliest will have a headstart on repairing the economy.
This is our chance, perhaps our last wake-up call.
Let’s do it right.
**The writer is an award-winning Malaysian author, writer and poet, specialising in Malay Hikayat and Asian legends