MCO: A Glimpse Into the Lives of M’sian Frontliners That Makes Us Feel Grateful to Stay at Home

As we struggle with adjusting to life at home during the MCO period, the front-line workers are keeping us all safe outside.

We cannot even imagine what these heroes go through while they’re on duty. So, we decided to take a peek into the lives of these front-liners to show the public that evidently, having to #StayAtHome is not a punishment but a privilege.

1. Working long hours

We’re all aware that as part of enforcing the MCO, police officers, along with help from the army, are now tirelessly conducting strict roadblocks all over the country at all times – be it day or night, rain or shine.

Thankfully, their efforts have been successful as 95% of Malaysians have been reported to comply with the MCO and staying put at home. You’re doing a great job, officers!

2. Wearing uncomfortable uniforms

In the case of healthcare workers, they are required to wear layers of protective uniforms called Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that can feel suffocating.

A Malaysian doctor took to his Facebook to share how wearing these uniforms will limit your movements as you can’t feel the air around you, and you’re left to breathe your own carbon dioxide in those tight masks. Imagine how trapped they must feel underneath all those layers!

3. No time for self-grooming

As part of the SOP when wearing the PPE, the workers are required to shower after taking off these uniforms to thoroughly cleanse themselves.

Another doctor, who is also a mother, shared how she showered so frequently within her shift, that she impulsively decided to cut her hair short to ease the process. This just shows the commendable spirit of our front-liners who are prioritising their jobs more than themselves.

4. Forced to get by with limited resources

Unfortunately, our healthcare workers in the country are running out of various medical supplies – from their protective equipment to even bottles of sanitiser being stolen from the hospital – which leaves our medical staff more desperate as they are forced to manage with whatever limited resources they have left.

One video posted on Facebook showed the fighting spirit of the staff who were turning a normal plastic bag into a protective covering for their heads.

Another video posted on Twitter saw a few medical staff making their own PPE by wrapping layers of plastic around their bodies to make a full protective suit. Just look at how committed these front-liners are to their jobs!

Sedihnye nengok. Dahlah letih nk tgk patient. Kena buat PPE sendiri. Harap kerajaan @KKMPutrajaya ada bncg dgn pekilang baju hujan. Mrk dh ada moulding utk baju plastik. Mngkn modify skit je. Mrk blh buat byk2 cepat. pic.twitter.com/uGyJo5v3ht

— Ir Abdul Aziz Omar (@ir_aziz) March 22, 2020

Thankfully, our Prime Minister recently announced that they will allocate an extra RM1 billion to obtain medical equipment and services to contain this outbreak. Hooray for the front-liners!

5. Unable to be with their families

The sacrifices these front-liners make don’t just stop at their workplace. Most of them are also advised to isolate themselves from the rest of their families at home.

The actions of one PDRM officer touched the hearts of many when he decided to set up a tent outside of his house and would do everything including showering and sleeping there, as a way to protect his family members! Can we even imagine making this big of a sacrifice for our job?

6. Exposed to a high-risk working environment

Even after all those precautionary steps that these front-liners are required to take, the bitter truth is: there’s always a possibility they could get infected at any time.

Unfortunately, the Ministry of Health has announced that this has been a reality for a total of 138 healthcare workers. Thankfully, none of them contracted the anything from treating patients, but from coming in contact with them at social events.

7. Retired workers being called back to work

Due to the pressing demand of workforce that is required by the front-liners right now, the ministry is calling out to retired but experienced doctors and nurses who are willing to help as our country records more and more cases every day.

As reported by Malaysiakini, a former head nurse expressed how she is more than willing to return to work if it means that she can contribute to the country. Though she faces some health complications, she believes that retired professionals are able to assist the front-liners with smaller tasks so they can be more prepared and focused when dealing with high-risk situations.

After seeing the sacrifices of these front-liners, it truly makes us realise how important it is for each one of us to carry out our social duty in helping to combat this issue.

So please, Malaysians, it’s really not a lot to ask of us to just #StayAtHome as we get through this together.

Here are some of the things we can do:

As we continue to #StayAtHome, you can try this universal e-wallet called GoPayz where new users will get RM5 FREE credit when you download and sign up! They’re giving away a total of RM1 million just to encourage more people to get things done online while staying home. Awesome, right?

And if you’re abiding by the MCO but at the same time struggling with your daily routines at home, you can also use this app to perform common services such as insurance, mobile top-up, online shopping, remittance and more. Now that you have the option to these things online, you really have no need to go out anymore!

Aside from that, you can also check out some of these cool things happening on their app:

LIFE INSURANCE:

GoLife Plus life insurance is only RM2/month, which also provides coverage against the ongoing situation too.

The GoInsure motor insurance: 

That’s a huge cashback!

LIFESTYLE SERVICES:

Getting food delivery deals:

ONLINE SHOPPING:

Aren’t we lucky to be able to spend our MCO peacefully AND have the convenience to still carry out our routines as we stay at home?

If you want to know more, head to the GoPayz website or download for free from App Store or Google Play. And remember, stay safe & #StayAtHome!

Now, aren’t you grateful to be spending this MCO at home? Tell us in the comments below!