I am having a déjà vu feeling as we inch closer to the Total Lockdown on June 1st. We have walked this path before back in March 2020 when the country went under its maiden Movement Control Order.
We have been through many Control Orders since then and on June 1st we will be walking into two weeks of lockdown. During the 1st MCO back then, many community leaders were caught by surprise as it was new territory they were threading on. The fear of infection back then kept many people at home. It was only weeks later that we saw people stepping forward to offer their help.
This time around, community leaders have a bigger role to play after more than a year of going through the baptism of fire from the pandemic. Many of us have learned how to handle delicate situations in this pandemic and many of us now know better what we are facing.
The task ahead is on a steep slope. While there are many who may need help during this lockdown, we are also aware that the risk of infection is higher than it has ever been before. Covid-19 is in the community. But this should not deter us from stepping forward to help those who need them most.
One fine example of how we can help the community is the initiative that was just started by the USJ2 Rukun Tetangga. The community initiative to offer assistance to ferry senior citizens for their vaccination appointments is noble. Volunteers have been roped in to ferry the senior citizens and also accompany them throughout the vaccination process. This helps many elderly who may be living on their own allay any anxiety with their appointments as well as minimising the chance that they may land up missing out on the vaccination.
It’s time to hit the ground running for community leaders in Subang Jaya. It’s time to roll up our sleeves – when the going gets tough; the tough get going.
In the same breath, I would also like to stress that the Total Lockdown isn’t just a roll call for community leaders to step forward. It is also the time for everyone (and I mean You) to step up and abide by the SOPs to the book. We should make sure we take on the responsibility to discipline ourselves and our family members to follow the SOPs. If there’s no excuse to go out, don’t!
Make plans and arrangements for your daily needs ahead to avoid any unnecessary excuse to go out. Plan your day to have some exercise and entertainment. Watch that movie you have been putting off for a while now and start a hobby. The two weeks lockdown should give us enough time to do something at home in between our work from home schedule.
If you haven’t been vaccinated, check your MySejahtera regularly for updates. Update your health assessment status and make sure your app is updated. You do not want to miss your appointment and land up waiting for a reschedule. My elderly mother was anxious about her vaccination just a few days ago. She was complaining about how long it’s taking to get her dose. Fortunately for her, because of my constant reminder to check her MySejahtera, she suddenly called me last night to say “Hey! I have my first appointment on June 1st.”
The month of June will no doubt be a very challenging month for all of us as we prepare for a Total Lockdown amidst the entire hullabaloo that’s been going on over the last one year. Covid-19 is real and it is dropping victims like flies. Let’s avoid becoming a statistic.
STAY HOME SUBANG JAYA and STAY SAFE.
