Covid 19 cases in Malaysia has been steadily coming down this week, with 31 positive cases recorded today making it the lowest since March. This is a far cry of 200 above just 14 days before, our number of recovery has also been impressively high, so much so WHO commended the health authorities in managing the crisis.
The man who has been keeping the nation gripped at the edge of its seat every 5pm, is Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, Deputy General at MOH, the calming, non-political and ever steadfast nature of the good doctor, briefed the nation on the daily Covid 19 situation. He gave precise data and statistics, handled questions eloquently and painted the picture at it was, no sugar coating here. Today for the first time after 42 days, Dr Noor announced that we have managed to flatten the curve and we are on the recovery phase.
How Does A Nation Recover?
A feel good factor swept across the nation with this statement, he continued with more good news informing that the economy should be revived to pre-Covid period. Our nation’s economy has been stagnant since the pandemic started and made worse with the MCO, according to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muyhiddin we are losing RM2.4 billion for everyday the country is shut. But experts say this does not take into account the business that will shut down for good and jobs that will be lost.
In response with the announcement, Trade Minister Dato Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali has given approval to all business that received permit to operate intermittently can operate in full capacity immediately. This is to reignite the supply chain and get things moving again. It will also get manufacturing, construction, food processing and all other sectors listed, to step the pedal. We expect more sectors to open up in coming days, but with precautions in place.
National Security Council is said to have prepared the SOP for post MCO and will be sharing to the public this week. For business that are about to go full throttle, the health ministry requires mandatory temperature taking, social distancing at the work place, regular washing of hands, providing hand sanitisers and avoiding cramp places. This will be the new norm all Malaysians will have to practice, even after the lifting of the MCO.
Dr Noor- “Before the health warning was announced the World Health Organisation indicated three factors to observe- fatality rate, infection and economy. Malaysia showed all these factors, during the initial stage we were expecting a surge in mid-April, but that was not the case. The following weeks were closely monitored, there were no exponential rise of cases, which showed that the hard fought battle was finally won,” he added.
In the coming days, strangers in the street will get air high-fives, agreeable nods and unison smiles, regardless of who we are and where we came from, as everyone did this together and the enemy is retreating.
