LETTERS We are currently at war with a virus which spares the young and targets those who are older, particular those over 80 years, as well as those with other illnesses - heart disease, diabetes, lung problems, high blood pressure and cancer.
Our Prime Minister has announced a movement control order (MCO) to ensure that we practice social distancing. This means that we should stay away from other human beings to avoid infecting each other.
Covid-19 is a virus that jumped species and not previously known to mankind. This means that we have no immunity, no vaccination and no cure for this virus. The safest way to deal with the virus is therefore to avoid getting it in the first place. Which is why need to practice social distancing.
We cannot afford for more people to fall ill, because our hospitals cannot cope, and while most younger people will only have a mild illness and get better, we will lose many of our older citizens prematurely if they do fall ill.
Of course, you cannot avoid going out to get food and your medications, and those services will stay open for you. If you do go out to stock up, please only buy what you need for a few days, especially perishable items. If you hoard, that means there may not be enough for other people, and they will have to go without.
Please do be a responsible citizen at this rather difficult time. When you go out, please do not enter the supermarket or market if it is crowded. You still have to practice social distancing. Some supermarkets are extending their opening hours and allowing only senior citizens and disabled people to go in earlier in the morning before opening to the rest of us. Do find out from your local stores about opening hours.
Many of you of course will be worried about hospital appointments and medications. At the moment, while the movement control order is on, you should postpone your appointment unless you cannot wait and must see the doctor straight away. If your medications are running out, you should be able to go to the pharmacy directly to get your supply of medications until your next of appointment.
The clinic counters will be open for urgent cases, but if you have to go there, just get your new appointment and prescription and leave straight away. Alternatively, our Ministry of Health hospitals can also organise for your medications to be posted to you. You just need to call your clinic.
Our private pharmacies are also allowed to stay open, and you should be able to get your medications from any pharmacy near you. Do not stock up on medications, and this will reduce the supply for others.
What if it is not so easy for you to get around and you need help with your groceries and food? Don’t worry, there are people out there who are looking for people like you to help. Please do let someone know by calling them or sending them a social media message that you need help.
Don’t be shy. They may be able to help you out themselves or they may know people in your area who are offering this service. There are lots of social media messages flying around advertising these services, someone is bound to have seen something useful.
Many older adults will feel empty and lost as they have been heavily reliant on their social contacts and their strict routines. Giving up their regular morning exercise groups in the park or their weekend family gatherings is really hard. Please do not be tempted to meet and hope you do not get caught.
It is not the point. This enemy is a virus, it’s us against the virus! We are all on the same side, and we won’t win unless we work together. Instead, think of other ways you can stay in touch and even better, think of ways you can help others. Pick up the phone, call someone you have not spoken to for a long time, find out how they are.
Go to your garden and tend to your grass and plants- do things you did not necessary have time for before. Use social media - WhatsApp, Facebook, Skype, Hangouts to keep in touch. You can now do group sessions with those. They are really easy to
use, so don’t be afraid to try.
Getting shut in the same home for some time may cause tempers to fray between family members. Try to count your blessings and do special little things for each other instead. Offer to make each other a drink but wash your hands for at least 20 seconds first. Say things that encourage each other and be grateful for what you have.
Use this time to relive happy memories. Bring out those family wedding photos and start telling your children and grandchildren moments of history, but don’t forget to sit at least 1 metre apart, or that is 3 feet in old money. You would not had time to if it was not for the MCO.
No matter what age you are, we all have a responsibility towards our nation and our fellow citizens. The nation needs all of you to help yourself by staying healthy and help others by not becoming a vehicle of transmission. Stay safe, all you senior citizens out there, and stay healthy.
TAN MAW PIN
HONORARY SECRETARY, MALAYSIAN SOCIETY OF GERIATRIC MEDICINE (MSGM);
PROF TENGKU AIZAN HAMID
PRESIDENT, GERONTOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF MALAYSIA;
WONG TECK WEE
PRESIDENT, MALAYSIAN HEALTHY AGEING SOCIETY (MHAS);
DATUK SOON TING KUEH
PRESIDENT, NATIONAL COUNCIL OF SENIOR CITIZENS ORGANISATIONS OF MALAYSIA (NACSCOM);
DATO’ ROHAINI MOHD YUSOF
PRESIDENT, PERSATUAN KEBAJIKAN USIAMAS MALAYSIA;
PANG YONG KEK
PRESIDENT, MALAYSIAN THORACIC SOCIETY (MTS);
HELMY MYDIN
PRESIDENT, ASTHMA MALAYSIA;
DATO’ DR MUSA MOHD NORDIN
MALAYSIAN PAEDIATRIC ASSOCIATION (MPA), ISLAMIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OF MALAYSIA (IMAM), MUSLIM PROFESSIONALS FORUM (MPF);
MALAYSIAN SOCIETY OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE & CHEMOTHERAPY; AND MALAYSIAN INFLUENZA WORKING GROUP
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times