In China’s Wuhan, the original epicentre of the Covid-19 outbreak, the city’s residents are returning to normal life, even as they continue to grapple with memories of the early outbreak, which struck fear in the city. 2020 has been a bleak horrid year for the entire world. People stopped coming out, planes had stopped flying, humanity went into shelters and most were living in fear. World ‘turned upside-down’ as the novel coronavirus has killed at least 1.75 million people and nearly 80 million cases have been recorded since the outbreak emerged in China last December.
An unexpectedly devastating Covid-19 pandemic has made us rethink whether our socioeconomic models work. It changes not only the way humans socialize but also coerces humanity to relook into the way how human civilisations would sustain and coexist with diseases and environment.
Let’s forgo 2020 and look forward to a better and brighter 2021! As the year was coming to an end, there were the usual many meetups and business engagements as life in Malaysia was just about going to be as ‘normal’ as can be, after the government eased up the second CMCO regulations. With all the SOPs in place and in compliance with the necessary Ministry of Health directives, we were going to end the year by looking forward to a better 2021!
What I didn’t know what that the end of this year would mark a life changing episode for me and my entire family. On Thursday Midnight (17/12/2020) we got news that a cousin of the family had been detected positive and those with close contact were immediately sent for tests the very next day. Mum, Dad and I went for ours like the rest, only to discover that we too were detected Positive for the Covid-19 virus.
The initial feelings of confusion, despair and maybe a whole lot of unrest came upon us as we found out of our results. “This could not be it” was definitely my first thought. We even thought it could be a mistake, tagged to a wrong patient. By Saturday morning, it was confirmed as I made a call to my friend Joevy Beh, the Group CEO of BP Lab whom at great speed reverted that 3 of us were detected positive. He further sent me words of encouragement in to be calm and not to worry. We executed an immediate plan to test all our families and staff of ENVIRO Group and thankfully all were negative.
After Sanitising & protecting more than 8,000,000 sq. ft of floor space and keeping thousands safe since February, I finally came face to face with the virus itself. My wife and kids are doing well as I write this, and are very diligently observing the mandatory 10-day Quarantine period, together with the rest of our staff at Envirogroup.
I want to tell all of you that the risks are real, and we should all keep vigilant as best as we can. Please keep us all in your prayers and we hope that while you remain careful and safe, please also remember that this pandemic is going to be part of us for a while before vaccines are available to the masses. In the meantime, do not hurt the businesses that rely on you – continue to support them but exercise caution wherever you go. “I think the inspiration that Covid-19 gives us is that a healthy body and a healthy mind is more important than anything else.”
Day 1 – Day 10
Isolated under home quarantine to protect the rest of the family and friends. We got picked up from home at 8pm by an Ambulance, then went along and picked up more patients along the way and was finally dropped off at Hospital Sungai Buloh at 11.30pm.
Managed to get beds together with Dad and ensured Mum was nearby so in any case I can attend to her right away. As soon as we entered ward 31, nurses were friendly and told us what to expect including taking our basic health checks and measurement. Thereafter, at 2am our temperature was checked again. Wakeup call was at 6am to get our blood tested and went back to sleep..up at 8am for breakfast…had tea and biscuits…
As Gujaratis, we are so used to home cooked rich food, our menu was specifically crafted by Anisha, Shobie and all managed by the ever-abled Sonia. (Our basecamp secretariat…) We were truly spoilt for choices and will get a specially crafted menu on a daily basis. Perhaps we will need to check on our weight as it is not a surprise if we have put on a few kilos. There are a total of 8 of us here, keeping each other safe and insane with a group on WhatsApp called “Hum Saath” that keeps all of us updated on our daily well-being. Such a blessing that Sharmila and I were here to support our elders, while the others held their home fronts.
It was such a blessing having friends who knew people here at Sg. Buloh Hospital. We received the extra care and attention here and made our “Quarantine” stay a memorable experience to share with the world. What more can one ask for…! Sigh of relief that our immediate and close ones out there were all tested negative after 2 tests done.
Life is beautiful. It’s about giving. It’s about family. Family is everything, but sometimes it can be difficult to put into words just how much your loved ones mean to you.
Being a family means you are a part of something very wonderful. It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life. The informality of family life is a blessed condition that allows us all to become our best while looking our worst.
Being here for the past 10 days, we have seen many that have far worse symptoms and in real need, being in here provided us with the ability to make friends and support them in this difficult time. A young man was brought in right from the airport enroute to Timor Leste from London after 4 years and visiting his family with 4 young kids. Thrown into a NEW place without a single luggage, brought him to tears most days. We all got together and equipped him with his basic necessity, switched on our hotspots so he can get connected with his family, we managed to get him a sim card and got him connected on day 2 with his family. Christmas was with his new-found friends here in unknown Malaysia, how will anyone imagine this happening. He was absolutely thankful while he left on the 26th to return back to his family. We made friends from all walks of life and some even being connected to old friends and family.
Whilst we were generally comfortable, there was more havoc outside on social media and WhatsApp rumours about an outbreak in Bangsar caused by us. Whilst our families were quite patient, it took a big toll when they found out it had reached London and Canada with malicious statements and half-truths. To set the record straight, Shobie went about on social media and told the facts in order to put these “keyboard warriors” in place. This even got into astro-awani as news…!
While we were all in high spirits on the road to recovery and can’t wait to share these amazing stories with our family and friends out there, I would just like to say that Covid-19 is not all that bad after all…! We need to have a clear mind-set, stay positive, be willing to adapt and live the new normal. Head of States and key corporate figures have had to come to terms with this pandemic in the past months.
Among the long-term impacts on individuals experiencing the effects of stigma post recovery includes depression, having low levels of resilience, sensitivity, lack of focus, inferiority complex that could lead to various mental health issues, thus affecting their life.
The Ministry of Health provides emotional support to patients and families at all health facilities that provide treatment for Covid-19 patients by having counselling sessions, psychological interventions and various other simple therapies, such as art therapy, respiratory relaxation therapy and mental health screening. Early psychological help is also given to relevant individuals if their emotional state is unstable or in a state of emotional crisis, the condition will directly affect the physical health of the persons concerned, such as somatic symptoms, fatigue and headache.
Now we are preparing to pack our bags and be on our way home. Missing the kids and family so much and these 10 days has been nothing but bitter-sweet memories that I can’t wait to share with the world. Hope that no one has to ever face this, nevertheless you should always remember to stay calm and not to react. I am always available at nitesh@envirogroup.asia to support you and anyone you know out there.
People who are sick with coronavirus have done nothing wrong, so let’s not treat them differently. We are stronger together in the fight against coronavirus. #SolidarityNotStigma. The pressure from society is more stressful than knowing that I was infected with the Covid-19 virus, so let’s come together in supporting friends and families that have Covid-19 and not discriminated against this virus BUT always stay protected and comply with all SOP’s set by KKM.
The entire team at Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM) and in particular Hospital Sg. Buloh PKKN Ward 31, 39 & 6C our utmost Gratitude to all of you and all our healthcare workers on the frontline battling the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that’s spreading rapidly throughout our city, state and nation. They are putting themselves in the path of this virus in this unprecedented crisis.
There are not enough words to express our gratitude towards Dr. Kuldip Kaur Prem Singh; Hospital Director of Sg. Buloh, Datuk Dr. Suresh Kumar, Dr. Yasmin Gani, Dr. Benedict Sim and Dr. Aruna in keeping all of us safe, comfortable and in managing the amazing team at Hospital Sg. Buloh tirelessly. All of you show up daily and always go above and beyond your call of duty.
Heartfelt Thank You & Terima Kasih.
27th Dec 2020
Nitesh Malani | Mahendra Malani | Bharti Malani | Lata Shah| Shobana Kothari | Shamila Shah | Ranjan Shah | Jayvin Timbadia
Tips if Needed:
List to bring to hospital: –
- One or two bedsheets with pillow case and a thin blanket
- Slippers
- 2 thin towels.
- One hanger to hang your towel
- Your medications
- Some acti fast panadol, minyak kapak, diarrhea medicine n charcoal tablets
- Small thermos n mug
- Some paper cups n plates with spoons.
- Wet tissue n alcohol spray
- Mosquitoes patch n cockroaches repellent spray
- Vitamin C 1000mg
- Socks n some comfortable clothes
- Hand wash, soap to shower n toothpaste
- Face mask
- Disposable panties
- Some biscuits n some dry food.
- Get an old roller bag and put everything in.