WHILE some social media users blamed the government for its poor handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, others have called out their fellow citizens to reflect on their own faults for not complying with standard operating procedure (SOP).

These were their reactions to a post by the Health Ministry on the situation at the intensive care units (ICUs) in public hospitals due to the high number of infections.

Aisyah Fadir said people were still crossing state borders by car or train, despite the ban on interstate travel.

Questioning the loopholes, Aisyah lamented that people have been travelling from states that are virus hotspots to those with fewer cases.

Meanwhile, Nurfazilla Firdaus Deng told the people to reflect on their own doings instead of casting all the blame on the government. 

“For those who keep complaining that the government has failed, please look yourself in the mirror when it comes to complying to with SOP. 

“The government has its mistakes but the main role (in fighting Covid-19) is that of the rakyat. They play an important role in fighting Covid, and not simply pointing fingers at the government only,” she said. 

“For example, even though the government has allowed malls to be open, you throng the outlet with kids… even if the government allows interstate travel, there is no need to go here and there. Everyone has a mind and they can think,” she added. 

Khairul Azhar however offered a sarcastic response to Nurfazilla by saying: “Yes it is the people’s fault. Previously, the cases went down to a single digits. But as soon as the elections (in Sabah) were held, the numbers shot up. Yes it is the people’s fault.” 

Marina Ibrahim meanwhile said the people should not be blamed for being stubborn as ministers themselves were stubborn. 

“Don’t blame the people for being stubborn. Ministers who are running the country are also stubborn and are not setting a good example. Crab teaching its child,” she said. 

Some also called for a total lockdown.

Alif Jamaluddin said it was time for a total lockdown under the movement-control order (MCO), with all sectors closed for two weeks. 

He added that authorities must be more stringent when it comes to issuing interstate travel permits. 

“This half-baked MCO will not work. When you go to McDonald’s, people are lining up as if nothing is happening. People are still quietly visiting during Raya,” he said.

Meanwhile, Andak called for a month-long strict MCO. 

“When the cases are skyrocketting they refused to impose a lockdown, but when the cases were less they issued a lockdown. I’m sure the cases will go down if the lockdown is imposed for a month. Symptomatic and asymptomatic patients will not be able to move around and there will be a brighter chance to win (against Covid-19),” he said. 

Former Covid-19 patients also took to the comments to share their experience of battling the virus to remind people of the seriousness of the situation. 

Ahmad Faiz said he was still suffering from the effects of Covid-19 despite recovering. 

“I just want to say… you have the right to laugh it off and deny its existence. You will only know once you get it. I was a victim of the virus and suffered from the symptoms,” he said. 

He added that his sense of smell has gotten weaker compared to prior to contracting the virus. 

Jana Hazliana, another former patient, concurred that her sense of smell too has weakened. 

The ministry, in the Facebook post last night, showed photos of front-liners at work and said ICUs were running out of beds. 

The ICUs at the Kajang, Ampang, Selayang, Sg Buloh hospitals and others are bursting at their seams. 

“The place is congested,” it said.

“But we have not reached a stage where we have to decide who gets the ICU bed and treatment,” it added.

The ministry added that front-liners have been on duty despite the festive season.

It also pleaded with the people to comply with the rules and ensure none of their family members become a victim who requires ICU treatment. – May 15, 2021.