I HAD sent my daughter back to campus on March 15 only for her to send a message to me two days later to bring her back home.

I was like, “what?”. But I now give thanks five times daily that I took her home on March 17 before the balik kampung-like rush that started that evening.

Since then, she has given sanity to the family throughout the first phase of the movement control order (MCO). She has been there in the kitchen helping out her mum or on her own, dishing out ayam masak merah, siakap tiga rasa, ikan bakar, sup daging, spaghetti bolognese; you name it, the list goes on.

She has been there with her two younger brothers spring cleaning the house like we would be celebrating Hari Raya in two days’ time. Perhaps it is right to call the rush on the evening of March 17 the “balik kampung exodus”.

But more importantly, she has been there in conversation with her mum especially, with me and her brothers, for 14 days and will continue to do so for another 14 days.

For that alone, I am so grateful.

I believe there are many like her at homes now – keeping families sane. But there are as many, if not more, like her who are unfortunately confined to their residential colleges in campuses throughout the country.

Which is why I understand the call now by parents to allow their children at campuses to go home. Despite assurances by Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob in his daily briefings with the press that the students are being taken care of by the government, there is no better assurance than having them at home – safe.

These students have duly observed the 14-day quarantine period. They should be safe to go home and keep their families sane at home for another 14 days.

Allowing the students to go home benefits families in this time of crisis as mental health problems, such as depression or stress, could escalate. Families need to be together to watch out for each other and protect each other’s mental health.

If Malaysians abroad, including students, are allowed to return beginning April 3, why not our students who are in “lockdown” in campuses throughout the country?

Of course, they have the SOPs and necessary protocols in place. Enforce them strictly if you like. 

But for sanity’s sake, let the students go home. – April 4, 2020.

* Hafiz Hassan reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.