IN less than 24 hours, the nation will go into another lockdown. Or what they call a full lockdown.  Apparently the current MCO is not full. While we debate the definition of  a “full lockdown” and discuss what we can and cannot do while it is in effect, allow me to remind you of some facts. 

In the whole of 2020, the number of total deaths due to Covid is 472.

From January to May this year, the virus death toll is 2,179.

This month alone, 1,223 have died from infection.

Let’s not stop there. As of May 30, we have 846 patients in ICU and 419 of them need ventilator support. 

It’s unethical to make a bet on the survival rates but the recent weeks’ trends are not comforting. 

If I were to be pessimistic, I’d say the body bags are going to pile up. According to this website, the fatality rate is 0.48%. Chances are high of this percentage going north in the coming weeks. 

We are busy discussing vaccination plans or the lack of them; the government’s competency in tackling the pandemic; if parliament should reconvene sooner rather than later; if the state governments should expedite mass testing; why malls are shut but retailers may open; and and many more questions. 

But 2,729 people have died of the disease as of yesterday. What about them? Who is talking about them? What about the family they left behind? Who is looking after them? Do we know if they are okay? Who’s putting food on the table for them? Are the given post-trauma care? Are the kids doing all right? The main question is, can we do something for them?

I have seen volunteers and good Samaritans stepping forward to help the needy as soon as a full lockdown was announced. Kudos to them. However, my humble request is, let’s try to help the families who have lost their loved ones. I could be wrong but my guess is that many insurance policies do not cover Covid-related deaths. We need to make sure – or at least try – not abandon or leave them behind. While we look forward to achieving herd immunity, let’s also ensure those who have suffered losses will survive this ordeal. As a society we are responsible for them. Let’s do what we can. 

Of course the focus now is to contain the crisis. There is nothing we can do about those who have died. But just because we need to move forward does not mean those who have lost loved ones should not receive due care. We need to carry them with us just as fallen soldier will not be abandoned on the battlefield. 

Let’s not pass the task of looking after them to the authorities, the NGOs, or God forbid, the politicians. If you know of anyone who has lost a family member due to Covid, do help them. Especially if they have lost the breadwinner. Let’s figure out what can be done to ease their pain and uncertainty.

Reach out, help out and do your bit. Together we can make it happen. God bless. – May 31, 2021.

* Abdul Haleem 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.