Page 17 - Berita Sunway - Issue 69

n the first few weeks of COVID-19 being declared a pandemic, the As highlighted by the Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Noor
world was short of many things – COVID-19 test kits, hospital beds, Hisham Abdullah, every person needs to stay vigilant and adhere to the
Ihealthcare workers, face masks and even toilet paper. But amid the SOPs in social distancing, hand washing and respiratory hygiene if
scarcity, some things began to proliferate – acts of kindness, generosity Malaysia is to successfully fight COVID-19 in the long-term.
and heroism that people showed towards one another during these
challenging times. Help the front liners by staying home as much as possible, and by being
responsible and truthful about your current health status.
Every cloud has a silver lining and even in the darkest moments of
COVID-19, we saw glimmers of hope in people going the extra mile, GENEROUS GIVERS
extending their hands to those in need.
The generosity of Malaysians emerged during the
CHINA SENDS HELP pandemic , as multiple funds were set up in aid
COVID-19 FEATURES of individuals and communities in need.
The COVID-19 novel coronavirus was first Sunway Group contributed RM1 million to
detected in a cluster of pneumonia the national COVID-19 Fund to provide
cases reported in Wuhan, China in late THE INFECTIONS financial aid to Malaysians directly
December 2019. As the first nation affected by the outbreak. As of April
to encounter and manage the 7, the fund's total collection stood
coronavirus, China wasted no time at RM22.6 million.
in providing help to Malaysia, WE WANT: ACTS OF
Italy and other countries after Homegrown international
containing the crisis in the city humanitarian relief organi-
it originated from. KINDNESS, sation MERCY Malaysia set
up a COVID-19 Pandemic
When Malaysia enforced its Fund to support the se-
Movement Control Order verely strained Malaysian
(MCO) in March, China sent healthcare system, as well
5,000 masks and 10,000 GENEROSITY as to meet the medical ser-
face shields to Sungai vices and essential needs of
Buloh Hospital, which was marginalised groups in the
designated to prioritise country.
and sanitisers were also donated AND HEROISM SUPERHEROES
confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Face masks, test kits, ventilators
to Malaysia, highlighting the 46 WITHOUT CAPES
years of strong bilateral ties between The COVID-19 pandemic unearths the After the MCO was enforced,
the two nations. authorities were given the important
In May, Chinese President Xi Jinping goodness in humanity task of ensuring Malaysians adhere
pledged US$2 billion over two years to help to the restrictions to help contain the
countries around the world respond to the
outbreak. Police officers, the armed forces
impact of the pandemic. and RELA (Home Guard) officers worked tirelessly
throughout the Ramadan fasting month and beyond to
HEALTHCARE FRONT LINERS – monitor and enforce compliance of the MCO. They put their
OUR ONLY LINE OF DEFENCE lives on the line, risking potential infection from carrying out their duties
outdoors, in order to keep citizens safe.
Despite the fear of contracting a disease that has no vaccine to date,
healthcare workers worked round the clock to care for infected patients, DELIVERING FOOD AND LOVE
even if it meant isolating themselves from their own families to protect
them from potential infections. While we may fear contracting a deadly virus, let us not forget to be
infectious with our good deeds – looking out for opportunities to be kind,
Even as Malaysia adopts the ‘new normal’ of regular mandatory generous and sacrificial – for these are the qualities that make us human.
temperature checks, contact tracing and health questionnaires at
hospitals, clinics and business premises, these precautionary health
measures should not be taken lightly by Malaysians, as all it takes is
one irresponsible COVID-19 infected person to endanger more lives.

BERITA SUNWAY | JUL—SEP 2020 | 17