I Wanna Be Vaccinated

After a vaccine Hunger Games process which I mentioned in my last post (I am so thankful to Allah for being able to secure a slot within three minutes after the site opened to those below 60 on 26 May 2021. But many of my friends and colleagues didn’t manage to secure a slot for themselves so much so we likened the experience to Hunger Games - somewhat akin to the Vaccine Hunger Games recently experienced in Ontario) and a fairly smooth process for dad, we had our first dose of vaccination of Astra Zeneca and Pfizer on 11 and 14 June respectively (dad’s appointment was rescheduled from 4 June). Syukur Alhamdulillah.

 

I think what really spurred me into action (besides the high number of cases in the Klang Valley and somehow being tested positive for Covid) was the fear of being quarantined at the centre and the thought of not having family members with me in my last hours and to perform the last rites if anything untoward happens. If you’re quarantined at the centre, there’s no privacy, lights are switched on until 02:00 or 03:00, it’s noisy, there’s long queue to use the facilities, it’s cold and there’s no hot shower. It’s not unlike being in a penitentiary and while a somewhat similar experience may be fine when one was at a boarding school while one was a teenager, I don’t think I could stand that now at all. The last time I slept in a cramped area with dozens of other strangers was in Mina when I performed Haj and even that was a fair number of years ago. And this was how I persuaded (or rather forced) my dad to agree to the vaccination process too. Look, not to be snobbish but if I think I’ll find it tough at the quarantine centre, I don’t know how dad will manage. He who even perform ablutions with hot water. So if I have to be cruel to be kind, then so be it.

 

A heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers, nurses and doctors, RELA officers and the police who helped made the whole process very smooth. Well done!!!

 

Apart from a sudden pain that made me felt like someone had just poked another needle into my left arm at the observation area, Alhamdulillah, I only had a mild headache and pain in the arm for this first dose. I did pray for little or zero side effects before I had my vaccination. I downplayed what little pain I experienced as I didn’t want to scare off dad from getting his altogether. He admitted after his vaccination that he was afraid and apprehensive at first, in fact he was even praying that if Allah thought if best for him to avoid it altogether, then he would not object. He was telling all the doctors there of his many health challenges and after a while, I looked at the doctor and said, if anything he should be among the first to be vaccinated - because he’s in the high risk category. Dad’s next dose will be on 5 July 2021, InsyaAllah. I’m praying that my second dose will be as mild as my first, ameen.

 

Stay safe, stay healthy and stay well, everyone. And do register and get yourselves vaccinated if you haven’t already. If you have registered, don’t worry too much and have faith that Allah is the best planner.

Pandemic Pandemonium

I’m sure everyone is already well aware of the current buzz word which is Covid-19 and has read (and is sick to death with) all the information (and disinformation) on it. The numbers were pretty manageable in Malaysia until last week when a massive tabligh gathering came to light. And I’m sure the numbers will only spike following the Masi Magam festival in Teluk Bahang, Penang, and the ‘Rumpun Silat’ trainers state-level assembly at Penview Convention Centre in Kuching, both held last Friday. Yes, Friday the 13th.

I have heard of people saying those who travel during these uncertain times are selfish and inconsiderate as they may unknowingly contract the virus and spread it on to unsuspecting people. Well, let me tell you, travel history is no longer a main consideration. Of course you should restrict travelling for a while (I won’t say stop travelling altogether because you don’t even need to travel abroad to be contracting or spreading the virus now) but there are other things that we have to do and role we have to play too. And we don’t have to wait for the government to do something before we initiate our own action.

We should practise social distancing as far as possible. I say as far as possible because there are those among us who rely on public transportation. I myself leave home early these days and try to get a less crowded bus to work. Social distancing doesn’t mean self-isolation. I just love how the Italians rally through the lockdown, they have a nationwide flashmob at 18:00 to boost morale.

We should always sanitise, disinfect, wash your hands and practise good hygiene. I know of someone who carries her handphone to the bathroom (and even have conversations while sitting on the toilet) and who used to exit the bathroom without washing her hands (over a number of occasions, not a one-off observation). I shared the same bathroom with her last week and was glad to note that she actually washed her hands then. As for me, I wash my hands with soap and then sanitise again regularly. I have stopped wearing my rings to work from today as I personally feel they get in the way plus I’m not sure if contact with sanitiser is good for gold rings.

Verify news and information. Check with the Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia’s Facebook for the current status and to verify news.

Do not panic buy things, do not hoard toilet papers (I don’t get this at all), do not be greedy and stock up on hand sanitiser and masks such that you are depriving others. Please cover your mouth when you cough and not just during these uncertain times either but every single damn time you cough. If it’s not Covid-19, it’s something else you’re spreading. If you’re coughing, then wear a face mask.

 Jesper and Kasper say everyone needs to take responsibility to stop the infection

Jesper and Kasper also wonder why some people are stressing about and buying toilet paper for

If you have respiratory tract symptoms (cough, running nose, sore throat, shortness of breath) do not go to the hospital if you have no history of close contact with someone tested positive with Covid-19 and have not travelled to any of the countries (China, South Korea, Italy, Iran, Japan, Germany, Spain, France and Denmark – please check with the relevant parties on this list of countries as they’re subject to change), please do not visit the hospital to for screening just to be sure. Our healthcare system is already overwhelmed. Do show appreciation and have consideration on our overworked healthcare workers. Our healthcare workers have been working tirelessly and are already stretched and they need our support and understanding.

  

We should also work together as a nation to halt this epidemic. Give the health services time to cope. Offer help to our old, fragile, weak neighbours with getting their groceries, etc. Limit our activities, yes, I know it’s school holidays now but it’s better to be at home than having to care for your close family members in the hospital, right. Let’s all play our part to prevent its spread and take necessary steps and precaution. Don’t panic, don’t panic buy, don’t spread fake news.

For Muslims, there are prayers that you can recite. More importantly, place your faith with Allah, trust that He can help us while at the same time observing all precautions.

Last but not least, sanitise, wash your hands and practise good hygiene. May Allah help us out through these challenging and difficult times, ameen.