1. What was your reaction when you learned about the
pandemic and its severity?
I was following the news closely and felt alarmed at the
rising numbers and was quite worried about it.
2. What thoughts played on your mind when you volunteered as
a frontliner?
I knew right away that I wanted to help because I have the
skills to do so. Plus the clinic I worked at was closed so I was free. When I
received an e-mail from CPRC asking for volunteers, I had a discussion with my
husband and kids and they supported my decision to sign up as a frontliner. I
did have some concerns as I have diabetes therefore I am a high risk but I was
confident that I would be fully protected when executing my duties.
3. Did you face any form of resistance and discouragement
from your extended family or friends? How did you manage that?
When tsunami struck in 2004, I wanted to join Mercy Malaysia
but my children were very young and husband was working full time so I couldn’t
volunteer therefore when this opportunity came, they gave the green light. My
husband and kids reluctantly said that they would manage as they were older now
and my husband was working from home. Even my mum said she was waiting for me
to volunteer and cheekily added that she wanted to join me. Of course, I said
no (laughs)
There were no outright discouragement from others and those
who voiced their concerns about my safety only offered to include me in their
prayers. I am blessed for the support and love everyone gave.
4. What was your day like during your voluntary days?
So three days after I filled up the form, I received the
call to attend a briefing session at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in
Setia Alam. By then, I had moved into my apartment. Every day I would drive to
the Lembah Pantai Health Office(PKLP), park
my car there, attend the briefing, review the cases for the day followed by the
daily plan before we are assigned to teams. Then we board the van to head to
our zone. We are divided into 5 different tiers from registration, taking
samples from the patients until the specimen is labelled to be sent to the lab.
Each tier has specific tasks. My job involved screening the Sri Petaling
tabligh cluster as well as the residents at Menara City One condominium,
Selangor Mansion and Malayan Mansion.
5. What were your feelings when you were out there being a
frontliner?
We were assigned to one of the Red Zones in KL which is the
Masjid India area. Our team comprised of medical officers, nurses, health
inspectors and medical assistants. And we worked hard for at least 5 hours
non-stop. Honestly, we were too busy with work to feel fear of getting the
virus but one can feel extremely agitated when wearing the PPE with masks on. You would have to put
it on for at least 2 hours and maximum up to 4 hours. You would not drink water
or go to the toilet because you would not want to compromise your safety by
removing the mask even for a few seconds to take a sip of water. So the
unbearable heat and dehydration can really bear you down.
6. Did you ever have the fear that you would contract the
virus when you were treating the patients?
On my first attempt of taking a swab from my patient, he
vomited all over me. I panicked for a bit because this was my very first
patient but I quickly got myself cleaned thoroughly immediately. So the worry
was in the back of my mind but that patient was tested negative later on and
that was a relief. He was extremely apologetic, poor guy.
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| Dr.Yasothini in her full gear |
7. Did you face any uncooperative patients while you were carrying out your duties?
The patients (mostly migrant workers) understood the
importance of being screened so they were very cooperative. We had a little bit of communication problem
(of which nothing simple sign language could solve)
8. What did you do manage the loneliness during your
quarantine?
After the voluntary stint, I had to quarantine myself for
two weeks. I took the opportunity to learn how to play the keyboard, I read a
lot and visited my family (from afar) once a week. And to stay fit, I used the
stairs up to 10 flights and gradually increased it to 30 flights before the
quarantine ended. I lived on the 36th floor. Zoom calls with family and friends
kept me company too. I did miss my bed though (apart from my family, of course)
9. Was the experience being a frontliner as what you had
imagined?
Yes. I loved the adrenaline rush and to be able to do
something for the country in this unprecedented times. I had chats with my
friends in the public health sector who gave me some ideas of what to expect so
I was mentally prepared. And I was so proud to see our team grow from 30 to 90
frontliners before my stint ended
10. What learnings have you acquired from this experience?
This virus has taught us that one can never take life for
granted. And it’s amazing to see how
people of all walks of life come together to fight this virus without seeing
race or hierarchy.
Although it is a catastrophe, it has also revealed the side
of humans where we can be united when need be. Very similar to families, when
needed we put our differences aside and come together.
11. What are your opinions about how Malaysia has done to
combat this pandemic as compared to other countries?
I must say that the Public Health sector has done a
fantastic job in taking the preliminary actions earlier on so we could manage
the pandemic. As you know many countries out there are crippled by their
overwhelmed and exhausted medical fraternity. I am convinced we have taken the
right steps to keep it under control.
12. What is the one thing you believe would help to keep the
pandemic at bay here in Malaysia?
To strictly adhere to the guidelines provided and rules set
by the Health Ministry as well as the National Security Council. It will take
some time before life gets back to how it used to be.
