SELF REVIEW ON COVID-19

At this present moment, people all over the globe are facing unprecedented battle against a contagion well known as Covid-19. This devastating virus outbreak which started in Wuhan on December 2019 now has widely spread to over 186 countries around the world with more than three million world residents have been infected. WHO has declared this deadly disease as a pandemic which resulted in travel restrictions and nationwide lockdowns in several countries including our nation, Malaysia.

Malaysian government firstly announced nationwide curbs also called movement control order (MCO) on 16 March 2020. The government execute this impromptu measure as the infection rate in Malaysia was significantly increasing due to the cluster of religious gathering at Seri Petaling mosque, Selangor. As the situation was quite chaotic and unprecedented, students were encouraged to return to their respective hometown by the university management. Honestly, I have mixed feeling and was hesitant to go home as I thought that I may contract the disease on the journey and infect my family member. However, when most of my friends took decision to return to their hometown, I make up my mind and pray to Allah to protect me along the journey.

Surprisingly at the following night, there was a massive crowd flooding at the bus terminals all over the nation. For fear of the next cluster will happen, a sudden change in the order was instructed where all the students ought to stay at their current residential college. I, who already bought the ticket and ready to initiate the journey home started to panic over the new announcement and above all, the result for defying the order is two years imprison or RM1000 fine or both. I still remember the uneasiness and anxious feeling as my mind keep questioning if it is the best choice to go home right now. Despite all the hurdles, I was able to land both of my feet in my homeland. Still I thought that was the riskiest decision I took as the consequences might be uncontrolled.

Being at home does not mean that I could act freely yet. It was the hardest part as I always need to bear in my mind to act like a true patient that need to be quarantine. I tried my best to follow all the guidelines advised by MOH such as practising physical distancing between the family member, perform good hygiene by washing my hand regularly and also follow the right etiquette when cough or sneezing. On the first day after I arrived home, without any delay I grab that chance to carry out the cleaning project in my house, especially my bedroom. First and foremost, I changed my bed and pillow sheet, swept the floor, and cleaned all the frequently touched surface around my house. Although cleaning actually do not kill the germs, but it can help reduce their numbers and the risk of spreading infection. On top of that, I also double washing all my clothes in the washer for precaution measures.

As a matter of fact, this coronavirus outbreak and the confinement period may be a difficult time for numerous people and concurrently effect one’s mental health. Therefore, how we respond to the outbreak and cope with fear and anxiety are indeed crucial as it can help us to become stronger. Managing stress well also can prevent us from getting sick as studies found that many health problems are related to stress. Basically, there were lots of activities that I managed to do at home to maintain my physical and emotional well-being. Moreover, I consider myself lucky being an introvert as I did not have any problem staying indoor for long period of time. Every day, I enjoy my time doing routine house chores, reading interesting books, watching movies also set aside some time for homework and assignments. The best part of MCO actually it gave chance for all my siblings to make out quality time together which this opportunity was hardly came as each of us have different school break.

Now, the nationwide curb has already entering phase four. My own perception and emotional state at the beginning of MCO and my current feeling now have changed. At the moment MCO being implemented, I do have a lot of concerns and worries. Many ill thoughts such as “What if the situation worsen and prolong for a longer period?”, “Will a lot of people die from the plaque?”, “Will the confinement effect our current life?” and as a student of course I kept pondering what will happen to my academic schedule in this semester. As the time passed by, I was reassured as I acknowledge that every and each of our front liners are doing their best to confine the disease and overcome this tough crisis. The university administration also come out with the best solution by rearranging academic almanac and notifying three months semester break to help breaching the chain of infection.

Truly, until now, it has felt surreal to believe that I am living in a global pandemic era that will be remembered forever in human history. Nevertheless, I was grateful that the situation we are facing now is completely different from what we watch in fictional movies and films regarding outbreak and infectious disease. The serenity and peace we experience amidst this pandemic crisis are all thanks to health-care workers, government, police officers and many more who are fighting for us in the frontlines. In the war against invisible forces, the role of front liners notably medical workers was undeniably significant. As a biomedical student myself, I once thought that what if I happened to be in their place. Can I survive under this kind of pressure, can I keep working tirelessly despite not having time to eat, sleep, rest and spend time with my family. These kinds of questions are in fact opened my eyes and make me realised that to engage in medical work field indeed requires a strong sense of duty and responsibility. Thus, my admiration for those in the medical industry grew bigger day by day. I am really proud of their dedication to serve despite putting their lives at risk. On behalf of all Malaysian citizens, we will forever be grateful to these unsung heroes.

In the midst of the catastrophic tragedy caused by the outbreak of the coronavirus, there are silver linings that we cannot ignore. With most of the world currently in lockdown to stop the spread of the coronavirus, scientists have started to notice considerable changes in the planet. Less cars on the road, a drop-in industrial activity and less humans causing general destruction has meant that air pollution levels around the world have decreased. In fact, just after a month, satellite images show a significant drop in air pollution over China. Looking at Malaysia since the MCO has been imposed, less carbon emission and sound pollution from traffic and industries are highly likely to benefit the environment pollution index when the country is restricting public movement. This viral outbreak also serves as a lesson that we cannot continue to ravage environmental resources and exploit nature and wildlife at the pace we have been doing. And the subsequent human lockdowns are proof that we can afford to limit our carbon footprint at relatively low costs to our personal comforts and luxuries.

As from Islamic perspective, we should view this pandemic crisis as the test from Almighty Allah for people to ponder and do self-reflection. Verily, what is happening is under Allah’s will and there is hidden wisdom and blessing behind every hardship. The believers will accept the trials with open heart and trust that the disease outbreak is a way for Allah to multiply rewards to the one who endure and have patience. With the upcoming Ramadhan, the fact that we cannot perform obligatory prayer and tarawih congregationally at mosque are surely upsetting however there are recompenses behind the implementation of the lockdown. If we look from the positive perspective, we have been given plentiful of time to perform ‘ibadah in the fasting month without distraction from work and school. Therefore, we are ought to be grateful to Allah for the blessing bestowed upon us and seize the time to multiply religious worship and good deeds. In other words, the mosque might be close, but the door of goodness will always open.

My sincerest wish now and after the pandemic crisis and lockdown period come to the end is people to be more grateful than ever for all the freedom, health, and comfort that we have been receiving up until now. All this while we have been too proud and take everything for granted as if what we have will not be taken back by The Bestower. This holy month is the perfect time for us to reflect our wrongdoings, seek forgiveness and mercy from Allah and improve ourselves in every aspect. We also should pray to Allah hoping that this woeful disease will be lifted up soon. Even though the Ramadhan might not be the same this year but let us try to make this month more meaningful. For instance, we should do more charity and donation especially to the one who are heavily affected by the lockdown period and lost their source of income. Last but not least, may this Ramadhan serve as a turning point for us to lead a better life and became a better Muslim. Stay strong and believe in Him that soon we will win this war.